VOLGOGRAD, Russia, June 18 (Xinhua) -- Harry Kane's first World Cup goal and Ferjani Sassi's penalty made England tie 1-1 with Tunisia in the first half of their World Cup Group G opener the Volgograd Arena here on Monday.
England, playing a 3-5-2 formation, launched fast attacks from the very beginning, making attempts at the goal two times within the first five minutes.
In the 11th minute, England captain Kane broke the deadlock. Ashley Young swung in a corner from the left and John Stones nutted a header towards the top-left corner. Tunisia's goalkeeper Mouez Hassen clawed the ball out only to push it to Kane, who crisply tapped the rebound home.
Just three minutes after England's goal, Tunisia's goalkeeper Mouez Hassen was forced off by injury and Farouk Ben Mustapha replaced him.
Tunisian haven't created their first chance until the 26th minute. Ferjani Sassi flashed a shot wildly across goal.
A penalty was awarded to Tunisia in the 33rd minute as England defender Kyle Walker pushed Fakhreddine Ben Youssef down in the box. After two minutes Ferjani Sassi struck the penalty into the bottom right corner to level the score.
Despite England players' continuous fierce attacks, they failed to score in the rest of the first half.
Grouping with England, Belgium and Panama in Group G, Tunisia started their fifth appearance at the World Cup finals here on Monday evening but they have never made it out of the group stage.
England have never lost against an African team at the World Cup. However, the Three Lions have not won any of their last six World Cup games.
Monday's match marks the two teams' second clash at World Cup and England beat Tunisia with a 2-0 victory in 1998.
