England's World Cup lift despite Maguire mistakes

ENGLAND head to the World Cup buoyed by a rousing comeback against Germany, but a late error by Nick Pope on top of mistakes by United's Harry Maguire meant under-fire Gareth Southgate's side had to make do with a draw at the end of a frenetic second half at Wembley.

- SIMON PEACH

ENGLAND 3

GERMANY 3

Among the favorites to triumph in Qatar having reached the semifinals four years ago and finishing runners-up at last summer's Euros, hope and optimism has seeped away in recent months.

England were relegated from the Nations League top tier following Friday's loss to Italy and pressure looked set to increase on Southgate, and Maguire, after City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan slotted home a penalty and Kai Havertz struck from distance.

But the Three Lions displayed the kind of resilience and ruthlessness their manager called for in the buildup to the game.

United's Luke Shaw scored England's first goal from open play in this Nations League campaign to bring hope, with substitute Mason Mount lashing home a leveller eight minutes after they had gone two goals behind.

Wembley was bouncing and the noise went up several notches when Harry Kane slammed home an 83rd-minute penalty following Nico Schlotterbeck's foul on the impressive Jude Bellingham, but there was to be no return to winning ways.