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England 2-0 Lithuania: Jermain Defoe marks return to international football with a goal as Three Lions edge closer to World Cup 2018 qualification

Daily Mail | March 26, 2017

Related Topics: Jermain Defoe, Three Lions, Raheem Sterling, 2018 FIFA World Cup, England, Lithuania

Jermain Defoe's return to international football was nothing short of a fairy tale on Sunday as he helped England past a determined Lithuanian side.

Defoe scored his first international goal for four years when he cleverly dispatched a ball from Raheem Sterling into the top left corner of the Lithuania goal.

The goal was followed by another from Jamie Vardy. It means the Three Lions are on course for Russia having not conceded a goal during this World Cup 2018 qualification campaign.

More to follow

Jermain Defoe, on his first return to international football for four years, scores to put England in front after 21 minutes
Jermain Defoe, on his first return to international football for four years, scores to put England in front after 21 minutes
Defoe celebrates with Eric Dier (left) and Adam Lallana (centre) after scoring England's opener on Sunday
Defoe celebrates with Eric Dier (left) and Adam Lallana (centre) after scoring England's opener on Sunday
The last time the Sunderland striker scored for England was in the 8-0 thrashing of San Marino on March 22, 2013
The last time the Sunderland striker scored for England was in the 8-0 thrashing of San Marino on March 22, 2013
It was Gareth Southgate's decision to draft Defoe into the team and it paid off when he scored his 20th international goal
It was Gareth Southgate's decision to draft Defoe into the team and it paid off when he scored his 20th international goal
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, a second-half substitute, doubled England's lead with 25 minutes to play
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, a second-half substitute, doubled England's lead with 25 minutes to play
Tottenham full back Kyle Walker (left) vies for possession early on against Lithuania at Wembley on Sunday
Tottenham full back Kyle Walker (left) vies for possession early on against Lithuania at Wembley on Sunday
Manchester City central defender John Stones wasn't afraid to take the ball forward during the opening minutes
Manchester City central defender John Stones wasn't afraid to take the ball forward during the opening minutes
Central midfielder Eric Dier was prepared to use his physical strength to help win back possession for England
Central midfielder Eric Dier was prepared to use his physical strength to help win back possession for England
Walker looks to get England moving forward as Lithuania choose to sit deep in their own half in the opening 15 minutes
Walker looks to get England moving forward as Lithuania choose to sit deep in their own half in the opening 15 minutes
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli goes up to try and win a header against Lithuania's Vaidas Slavickas
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli goes up to try and win a header against Lithuania's Vaidas Slavickas
Manager Gareth Southgate watches on after deciding to start for a 4-3-3 formation instead of the 3-4-3 against Germany
Manager Gareth Southgate watches on after deciding to start for a 4-3-3 formation instead of the 3-4-3 against Germany
Defoe was picked out in the penalty area by Raheem Sterling and clinically placed past Lithuania goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus
Defoe was picked out in the penalty area by Raheem Sterling and clinically placed past Lithuania goalkeeper Ernestas Setkus
Defoe runs away followed by Lallana after making England qualifier a little bit more comfortable in the opening 30 minutes
Defoe runs away followed by Lallana after making England qualifier a little bit more comfortable in the opening 30 minutes
Alli, sensing Lithuania's vulnerability in defence, started charging down the middle as he looked for extra space
Alli, sensing Lithuania's vulnerability in defence, started charging down the middle as he looked for extra space
There was panic when goalkeeper Joe Hart was caught out in the air by Vykintas Slivka but he couldn't take advantage
There was panic when goalkeeper Joe Hart was caught out in the air by Vykintas Slivka but he couldn't take advantage
Hart reacts after his cheap mistake before composing himself and getting on with the game at the end of the first half
Hart reacts after his cheap mistake before composing himself and getting on with the game at the end of the first half
Vardy controlled the ball before rolling it past Setkus who was unable to keep the ball out of his goal
Vardy controlled the ball before rolling it past Setkus who was unable to keep the ball out of his goal
Vardy was keen to celebrate his sixth goal for England since earning his first cap in June 2015 against Ireland in Dublin
Vardy was keen to celebrate his sixth goal for England since earning his first cap in June 2015 against Ireland in Dublin
Despite England's comfortable 2-0 scoreline, Southgate didn't want his players' focus to go as the minutes ticked down
Despite England's comfortable 2-0 scoreline, Southgate didn't want his players' focus to go as the minutes ticked down
The England team were led out by young Bradley Lowery who also stood with Defoe during the national anthems
The England team were led out by young Bradley Lowery who also stood with Defoe during the national anthems
u00a0The youngster couldn't let go of the Sunderland as both sides lined up before the Group F World Cup 2018 qualifier
The youngster couldn't let go of the Sunderland as both sides lined up before the Group F World Cup 2018 qualifier
A minute's silence was held ahead of kick-off to remember those who died in Wednesday's terror attack at Westminster
A minute's silence was held ahead of kick-off to remember those who died in Wednesday's terror attack at Westminster
#WeStandTogether was the message of defiance at Wembley Stadium ahead of England's World Cup 2018 qualifieru00a0
#WeStandTogether was the message of defiance at Wembley Stadium ahead of England's World Cup 2018 qualifier
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