Euro 2016: Vardy scores as England defeats Wales

England secured themselves their first win of Euro 2016 with a 2-1 victory over rival Wales in dramatic fashion, with Leicester City frontman Jamie Vardy coming off the bench to bring the Three Lions back into the game.

Both teams came out of the gate a bit nervy, but England had the better of the early chances.

Seven minutes into the match England were handed a golden opportunity. They intercepted the ball after some sloppy interplay from Wales and quickly broke, with Harry Kane slotting it off to Adam Lallana, who put in the perfect ball to a wide-open Raheem Sterling at the edge of the six-yard box. It was almost a certain goal, yet somehow the Manchester City man managed to sky it high and wide of the goal.

Despite spending the majority of the half camped out in the Welsh end, England lacked any form of creativity.

Wales struck first in the 42nd minute off a Gareth Bale free-kick. It was a needless foul to concede from captain Wayne Rooney, but it was quite the distance from goal.

Yet somehow Bale managed to slot it into the bottom corner, as Joe Hart was unable to get enough on the ball. It was a well struck free-kick that probably should have been saved by Hart. The English keeper seemed shaky throughout the match.

Wales went into the break with a 1-0 lead as the goal was the only Welsh shot on target. It seemed nothing was going right for England, despite having their fair share of chances.

Vardy seemed the ideal substitute as once again, as Tottenham striker Harry Kane had little to no impact on the game. Roy Hodgson decided to bring on Vardy and Daniel Sturridge for Kane and Sterling.

Immediately England looked more dangerous offensively, with Vardy and Sturridge both energetic up top.

It didn't take long for the Leicester man to make his mark on the game, slotting home a close-range strike off an miscued header from Welsh captain Ashley Williams, leveling the scoreline at 1-1.

It seemed a draw was the way it was going to finish, as England lacked any form of creativity following the goal. But after some great set up play between Vardy, Sturridge, and Dele Alli, Sturridge was able to grab the winner amidst a lapse from the Welsh defense, sending all of England into hysterics to secure the 2-1 win.

The victory is a weight off England's back to go into their final Group B match against Slovakia only needing a draw to advance to the Round of 16. Despite the dramatic finish, it was an uninspiring performance at best. It should leave Hodgson with some questions about his starting front three, as Sturridge and Vardy proved far more threatening, not to mention clinical in front of goal.

Based on his performance today, Jamie Vardy shone brightly and should rightfully earn his place back in the England starting 11. But with Roy Hodgson, you never know.