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Slovenia national football team
European Championship | Qualifiers
Jun 14, 2015 at 5pm UK
 
England national football team

2-3

Novakovic (37'), Pecnik (84')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Wilshere (57', 73'), Rooney (86')

Jack Wilshere inspires England to victory over Slovenia

Wayne Rooney fires a late winner for England to guide them to a 3-2 victory over Slovenia after Jack Wilshere had netted a brace earlier in the Euro 2016 qualifier.

Jack Wilshere scored his first two international goals to inspire England to a 3-2 victory over Slovenia to maintain their 100% record in their Euro 2016 qualifying campign.

Jack Wilshere of England celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Slovenia and England on at the Stozice Arena on June 14, 2015© Getty Images

The Three Lions had a great chance to take the lead in the third minute as Raheem Sterling latched on to Wayne Rooney's ball over the top of the Slovenia defence, but he guided his effort just over the bar.

Sterling threatened again when he collected a pass from Rooney and raided down the left. The winger cut back on to his right foot and drilled a low effort towards goal, but his strike went inches past the post.

Rooney came within inches of handing England the lead as he fired a left-footed strike from the edge of the box towards the bottom corner, but Samir Handanovic produced a fine stop to palm the ball past the post.

Roy Hodgson's men continued to dominante possession as the half progressed and Andros Townsend tried his luck from distance with a low effort, but Handanovic was able to make a comfortable save.

However, despite England's dominance, Slovenia took the lead in the 37th minute when Milivoje Novakovic latched on to a through ball played from deep and he held his composure to slide the ball past Joe Hart.

Jack Wilshere of England scores their second goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Slovenia and England on at the Stozice Arena on June 14, 2015© Getty Images

In the second half, the visitors got back into the game when substitute Adam Lallana made a surging run into the box and although he was dispossessed, the loose ball fell to Wilshere around 20 yards out and he fired his effort into the top corner for his first international goal.

Rooney had two great chances in as many minutes to give his side the lead. Firstly, he blazed over the bar from close range after Sterling had weaved his way into the box, before shortly afterwards, he scooped his strike narrowly over after being teed up again by the Liverpool man.

However, Wilshere notched his second goal of the game when Hodgson's men hit on a brisk counter-attack. Lallana teed him up 25 yards from goal with a clever backheel and the midfielder powered his left-footed strike into the top corner.

However, Slovenia were not deterred and they managed to equalise in the 84th minute when Nejc Pecnik rose above Kieran Gibbs to direct a header into the bottom corner past the outstretched hand of Hart.

Rooney ensured that his side would not settle for a point, though, as he latched onto a pass from Theo Walcott to fire a low strike past Handanovic, to join Gary Lineker in second place on England's all-time leading scorers list, and seal the three points for the Three Lions.

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Jack Wilshere of England marshalls Ales Mertelj of Slovenia during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier between Slovenia and England on at the Stozice Arena on June 14, 2015
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