Harry Kane continued his scoring streak as England captain but Gareth Southgate's side made heavy work of beating Nigeria in their final Wembley outing before the World Cup.
England took the lead inside seven minutes courtesy of Gary Cahill's headed effort and Kane doubled the advantage before the break, when modest goalkeeping allowed him to hit the net for the sixth time in five appearances with the armband.
But what might have turned into a walk in the park against a side ranked 47th in the world became a tense 2-1 victory as Arsenal's Alex Iwobi struck less than two minutes into the second half, robbing the hosts of their composure.
Southgate will take some heart from the fact England held out but with 16 days to go before their Group G opener against Tunisia, and one more tune-up to come against Costa Rica in Leeds on Thursday, this was an incomplete performance which did little to inspire true confidence.
Jordan Pickford's appearance in a near full-strength starting XI suggested he will travel as number one ahead of Jack Butland, while Kieran Trippier hinted his dead ball skills could be a secret weapon in Russia - but Southgate's concerns may now be over his creative axis.
Both Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard flattered to deceive and will need a sharp upturn in productivity.
As for Raheem Sterling, a difficult week of negative headlines ended with a bright showing that lacked end product as well as a booking for simulation.
England imposed themselves early, Alli winning a free-kick in dangerous territory. Trippier tried his luck and struck his shot cleanly, winning a corner when Francis Uzoho parried the ball wide.
Gary Cahill gives @England the lead!#ENGNGA #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/nNrQMqIVcv
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 2, 2018
Trippier was again on dead ball duties and his outswinging effort was met powerfully by Cahill, who outleaped William Troost-Ekong to head home his fifth England goal.
As well as easing any collective nerves, it was a satisfying moment for the veteran of the squad - who was axed by Southgate as recently as March and had been sweating over his place on the plane.
England had chances to double up as their guests adjusted slowly to the pace of the game. Uzoho reacted nervously when John Stones glanced a header at his feet and Brian Idowu produced a brave, last-ditch lunge to deny Ashley Young.
World Cup 2018 England specials (odds via Sky Bet)
- Lose the quarter final match by a penalty shoot-out - 20/1
- Over 7.5 Goals scored - 8/11
- Kyle Walker to receive the most booking points - 6/1
- Eliminated in extra time - 5/1
- Group stage elimination - 5/1
- Eliminated in last 16 - 2/1
- Eliminated in quarter-finals - 9/4
- Eliminated in semi-finals - 11/2
- Runners-up - 11/1
- Winners - 16/1
There were hints of sloppiness, Lingard and Stones both offering up possession with slack passes which may have been punished by more clinical teams.
As it was they were allowed to go in search of a second, with Sterling heavily involved.
Playing on the shoulder of the last man he raced free in the left channel and tried to dink the advancing keeper, only for his effort to skip wide of the far post.
The Manchester City man took the selfless option when he next found space - but his execution was lacking and Uzoho smothered his cross.
Sterling was eager, maybe overly so, to make his mark and lashed a rising effort over the bar after Alli held up Eric Dier's long-range pass.
Harry Kane drills one low and makes it 2-0 to @England against Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/2M11JHxjh0
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 2, 2018
Kane, on the other hand, had barely had a sight of goal until he tried his luck from outside the area.
It was hardly one of his most fearsome strikes but it snaked between Troost-Ekong's legs and had enough on it to beat Uzoho's flimsy glovework.
Nigeria made four changes at the break and came out with a tempo that had been sorely lacking previously.
Within two minutes they were back in the game. Odion Ighalo controlled an aerial pass and turned to whip his shot against the post, with the ricochet landing invitingly for Iwobi. Having attacked the space better than the nearest white shirts he rifled home and celebrated passionately.
Alex Iwobi pulls one back for Nigeria! pic.twitter.com/EawfJ5GGai
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 2, 2018
The strong away contingent did likewise and instantly England's gentle workout became a contest with live stakes again.
Sterling's reaction was to look for penalty when played in by Lingard, but he was guilty of a clear dive as he flicked the ball past the goalkeeper and can have little complaint over his booking.
England appeared rattled. Southgate summoned Lingard for a touchline chat and moments later Kane, Sterling and Alli were chatting animatedly on halfway.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Danny Rose came on, followed quickly by Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford and later by Fabian Delph, but the earlier composure proved hard to regain.
Opta facts
- England are unbeaten in 18 encounters against African nations (W12 D6), with this the third time they’ve faced Nigeria – winning twice and drawing once.
- The Three Lions have conceded in successive internationals at Wembley for the first time since November 2013 (v Chile and Germany).
- Alex Iwobi's goal was the first Nigeria have ever scored in an international match against England, in what is the third meeting between the two nations.
- Gareth Southgate’s men have only lost one of their last 21 games at Wembley Stadium (W16 D4), conceding just eight times in this run.
- England scored as many goals in the opening 39 minutes against Nigeria as they had in their previous four international friendlies.
- 11 of England's last 15 goals have been scored or assisted by Tottenham players.
- Harry Kane has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for England, scoring at least once in six of those matches.
- Gary Cahill's strike was the earliest goal that England have scored since Rooney's 4th minute penalty against Iceland at Euro 2016.
- In fact, Cahill's header was the earliest for England at Wembley since Rooney's 6th minute goal v Lithuania in March 2015.
- The Chelsea defender’s goal was the Three Lions’ first headed goal since Jamie Vardy scored against Spain in November 2016.
Post-match reaction
Harry Kane admitted he feels back to his best after scoring in the 2-1 victory against Nigeria at Wembley.
Gary Cahill opened the scoring with a seventh-minute header before Kane doubled the Three Lions' advantage shortly before half-time.
Arsenal's Iwobi pulled one back for Nigeria two minutes into the second period but Southgate's side saw the game out well.
"It was a good win against a tough side," Kane told ITV. "The first half we were excellent and moved the ball quickly.
"The second we had trouble, they changed their formation. We got used to it and saw the game out well.
"I feel at my best, really good. It's always great to score. I'm looking forward to the game on Thursday (against Costa Rica). It will be another tough one."
Gareth Southgate defended his decision to play Sterling following a tough week for the England forward.
The 23-year-old was forced to defend himself after getting a tattoo of a gun on his right leg, which made the front page of The Sun newspaper to widespread criticism.
"I thought he played well," Southgate said. "The front four with some of the movement and quick combinations... we created a threat."
