Wales have still not have beaten England since 1984 and will be devastated that after a fine rearguard action they failed to hang onto a first half lead before going down 2-1 to a late Daniel Sturridge strike.
Just as it seemed the game would end scoreless at the end of the first half Wales were awarded a free kick some 35 yards out. Gareth Bale, who up this point with four minutes to go to the break had been on the fringes of the game, stepped up and scored with questions being asked of England keeper Joe Hart who dived and got both hands to the ball but failed to prevent it creeping in at the post.
Up to this point England had dominated possession but not tested the Wales keeper Wayne Hennessey, yet the Three Lions should have taken the lead after only six minutes. Adam Lallana
Broke quickly and his low cross was met by Raheem Sterling who could only slide in and scoop the ball over the bar from close range.
Gary Cahill had a back header comfortably saved by Hennessey then England had a shout for a penalty as defender Ben Davies clearly handled the ball but the referee determined the contact was accidental.
Sterling and Harry Kane made way for Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge after the break and suddenly England began to show some urgency as Wales defended in depth. Wayne Rooney brought a save from Hennessey but it was substitute Vardy who restored parity for the Three Lions on 55 minutes, reacting quickest to a loose ball inside the six-yard box.
For the rest of the half England continued to press but the Wales rearguard held firm and for all the Three Lions pressure Hennessey was well shielded by his Welsh defenders restricting their opponents to half chances.
But, if in the first game of these Championships England hearts were broken by conceding a late goal, this time it was the Welsh who suffered. Sturridge wriggled his way goalwards, enjoyed a fortunate break of the ball, then toe poked home in added time.
Euro2016 - Group B
England: 2 (Vardy 55, Sturridge 90)
Wales: 1 (Bale 41)
Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis, Lens
