In groups like this, where there are only a few games, it is the points that matter far more than the performances, just look at Greece when they won it, did they play well at all throughout that tournament? Yet they ended up winning it.

It is far better in these situations to win the games by any means necessary, rather than playing well, getting all the plaudits, but picking up nothing from it (a point doesn't really help us all that much in the grand scheme of things).

Yeah, can't argue with any of that, let's just hope for the latter! And if not, I'll just support Wales for the rest of the tournament. I was really pleased for them getting the win today and wish we didn't have to play them yet.

The trouble is if Wales play like they did today, and with extra confidence, then no matter how well we play, I just cannot see how we can beat them, and a link for us is totally worthless, only a win will do.

Nonsense. Rooney had a very good game tonight.

You have just shown yourself up with those comments.

We should have had that game won in the first half. There are players deserving of criticism but Rooney was not one of them.

Wales played well today but I do think we are a better team than them and are totally capable of beating them. Whether we will or not is a different question.

A point wouldn't be worthless although obviously a win would be better!

It'll be like United v West Ham away when it comes for them being up for it, with carnage outside the ground more than likely.

The last time England won the opening game in a major tournament was against Paraguay in the 2006 World Cup. 10 years ago.

True. I guess mentality is part of the problem. In a full club season, play decently and you'll win more than you lose putting you in a good position; yes you'll drop points along the way but not enough to put the place in the division under threat. But on the international stage, where there's only three games points wise followed by a knock out - you have to hit the ground running.

England last won an opening game in a tournament in 2006, 'unconvincingly' 1-0 against Paraguay. Since then:

2008: DNQ
2010: USA (D1-1)
2012: France (D1-1)
2014: Italy (L1-2)
2016: Russia (D1-1)

If we ignore 2006 then:

1986: Portugal (L0-1)
1988: Ireland (L0-1)
1990: Ireland (D1-1)
1992: Denmark (D0-0)
1994: DNQ
1996: Switzerland (D1-1)
1998: Tunisia (W2-0)
2000: Portugal (L2-3)
2002: Sweden (D1-1)
2004: France (L1-2)

In 30 years we have won only two opening tournament games. That's a shocking record, especially considering we were seeds for practically every tournament we qualified for.

I'm Scottish and therefore count myself as neutral. I think England have started the tournament well. I think the whole team played pretty well and they should have got the win on the balance of play but just never made their pressure count enough and 1-0 is always vulnerable. I'd expect them to win at least one out of their remaining two group games to get through. The four teams in this section all look pretty decent and could take points off each other.

Walker my man of the match I think, despite Dier getting the goal.

We are capable yes, but Wales have a very special player in Bale who they can turn to when needs be, who can we turn to?

We just don't have the extra gear that Wales can shift into if they need to.

Give me a poor performance but a win via an own goal against the Welsh rather than all of this congratulations and high fiveing that the media are doing about tonight's match any day.

The trouble is come the last game we might already be out, as not every third place team goes through to the next round.

I have very little confidence heading into the Welsh game. If we played like we did tonight we should be fine but then again we should have been fine tonight. And we'll be feeling low and under pressure after the late equaliser whilst Wales will be pressure free and on a high.

It isn't enough for England to go through. We need to be going through in first place - and that's at massive risk now.

Four out of six will go through which is more than 50% and we already have a point on the board. Lose to Wales and beat Slovakia will be four points; I'd say that should be enough. I can't see Ukraine and Northern Ireland getting to four considering they have to play Germany and Poland plus Iceland and Hungary have it tough against Portugal and Austria.

But there's no way we should be looking to limp home in third (having, in all liklihood, to face either Germany or Spain in the process). If we do maybe questions have to be asked of people both higher up and lower down than Hodgson even after he's gone.

Yes Wales played well today but they still had some very shaky moments at the back and looked vulnerable in the periods where Slovakia put them under pressure (which wasn't often). I think England can beat them but a draw looks the most likely result again for me.

This does feel all too similar to the last World Cup for me. Everyone was still relatively positive after the Italy defeat but it all fell apart. I don't see us going out at the group stage but if we don't win the group then I can't see us progressing much further.

I'd be alright with second place, a little disappointed maybe but not too bad. 3rd place wouldn't be great but at least we'd still be in it!

It's possible but I think they'll get through. I'm going for a Slovakia win vs Russia, a draw between England and Wales, then a Russia win vs Wales and England win vs Slovakia. Win their last 16 game, then go out in the quarters to one of the better teams.

England 5
Russia 4
Wales 4
Slovakia 3

And I've got France to beat Austria in the final. If all that's right then I'm starting a psychic hotline.

I think this England team has better shape than any I've seen for a while. I like Dier in that position. England have missed that kind of player for a while. Only problem now is that Hodgson has a lot of strikers and not so many natural wide players. I'd rather have another winger or two if I was him.

All in all, and I count myself as genuinely neutral, I thought they played pretty well and if they reproduce that then they'll have a good tournament.

Yes they did appear to play well, but you have to bear in mind that Russia were rubbish, and hardly created a chance

Defensively, though, Russia were able to step up and nick the ball time and again.

Many of the chances that were created cried out for the pace of vardy.

I think we have little chance against any of the better teams. We may lose to Wales, draw with Slovakia, and finish 3rd on 2.

PS. l. If a defender is mvp in that game, we are in real trouble.

We didn't play that badly against Uruguay either - just got caught on the break by Suarez.

I'm not sure if not losing is more important than a win against Wales. Whatever happens we'd still be in it though obviously a win would put us top, or joint top with the Russians, whereas a draw would mean we'd stay two points behind Wales and possibly Russia too if they beat Slovakia.

And yet if it wasn't for that one last minute goal you cheered so enthusiastically, they wouldn't have drawn with them.

This is absolute nonsense.

Walker's being praised for his attacking play more than defending though. He was very threatening down the right wing.

Not sure how anyone can argue that England were much worse than France really. If not for one wonder strike, they would have had the same result after a quite similar performance in terms of chances created and missed.

Indeed, suddenly after one win Wales are unbeatable?!

Other than Bale and Ramsey we have by far a better team than them. Not saying it's going to be easy but we are certainly more than capable of beating them.

The point is that they managed to get the three points, we did not, so talking about performances is irrelevant in tournaments like this.

Yes. I thought we played better than Wales did against Slovakia but Wales have the points on the board - we don't.