Gary Cahill, Harry Kane lead England to World Cup warm-up win over Nigeria

First-half goals from Gary Cahill and Harry Kane have given England a 2-1 win over Nigeria at Wembley.

Cahill opened the scoring early on when he headed in Kieran Trippier’s corner and Kane doubled the lead before the break when he powered in from the edge of the area.

Jordan Pickford started in goal for England, with Raheem Sterling also in the starting eleven after a week of controversy over a rifle tattoo and poor timekeeping.

England started brightly against a Nigeria side that took a while to get going. Trippier, who on this showing could be responsible for set-pieces at the World Cup, tested goalkeeper Francis Uzoho from a 25-yard free-kick.

The Tottenham wing-back then floated a beautiful corner onto the head of Cahill who finished into the top corner.

England came close again 15 minutes in when Dele Alli played in Sterling, but the Manchester City winger’s shot went a yard wide.

It was Trippier once again who was central to the England attack. This time, his cross found Jesse Lingard but the shot was stopped by Uzoho.

Kane doubled England’s lead in the 40th minute, and it was one to forget for the Nigeria goalkeeper. The England captain took the ball from Sterling before firing through the hands of Uzoho into the bottom corner.

Nigeria improved markedly in the second half, and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart. Odion Ighalo held off Kyle Walker before striking the ball onto the post and Iwobi was in the right place to stroke home the rebound.

England could have had a third before full time. Eric Dier flicked the ball wide from an Ashley Young corner before Danny Welbeck was tackled when through on goal.

The Three Lions continue their World Cup preparations when they play Costa Rica on Thursday.