Kane spares turgid England's blushes against Andorra

BARCELONA :Lacklustre England laboured to a 1-0 away win over Andorra to maintain their 100 per cent start to their World Cup qualifying campaign with captain Harry Kane's second-half goal sparing their blushes on Saturday.

On a sultry afternoon in Barcelona, Kane's scrambled effort shortly after the interval was all that separated Thomas Tuchel's team of Premier League household names with the side sitting 173rd in the world rankings.

As expected, England dominated possession but were short of the quality expected with only Chelsea winger Noni Madueke managing to impress in a forgettable match.

England secured the win, however, and sit comfortably top of Group K with three wins from three.

"It wasn't a great performance and I don't think many people will remember this one," Kane, whose goal was the 450th of his career for club and country, told ITV Sport.

"It was a dry pitch, similar to next year at the World Cup so we will go away and analyse it. We weren't good enough on the ball but we take the three points and move on."

England are expected to be one of the favourites for next year's World Cup and while it is difficult to read too much into a turgid display against defence-minded Andorra, head coach Tuchel will know big improvements must be made.

In six previous games against Andorra, England had scored 25 goals without reply, but even after they went ahead there was no sense the floodgates would open.

Andorra created a couple of chances to heap real embarrassment on their visitors with substitute Guillaume Lopez denied a late equaliser by Ezri Konsa's block.

From the opening whistle, England's build-up play was pedestrian and only Madueke garnished his reputation, especially before halftime with some penetrating runs.

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