England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their second goal. (Photo: Reuters)

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Just when it looked like England were going to extend their disappointing run in World Cup tournaments, Kane stooped at the far post to turn in a header in the 91st minute.

England had promised to launch their campaign with attacking football and they tore into Tunisia from the start of the Group G game, their red-shirted players buzzing into open spaces.

Kane put England deservedly ahead in the 11th minute when Tunisia keeper Mouez Hassen could only palm a strong header by John Stones towards the striker who coolly netted.

Tunisia came to Russia with a reputation for being hard to break down. Instead they were opened up repeatedly by England early on, especially on the right flank with Kieran Trippier posing attacking menace with his pace and incisive crosses.

England paid the price for their wastefulness when the North Africans, who had barely begun to press forward, were awarded a penalty before the break.

Defender Kyle Walker swung an arm behind him and caught Fakhreddine Ben Youssef in the face and Colombian referee Wilmar Roldan pointed to the spot.

Ferjani Sassi, after appearing to whisper a prayer to himself, scored low to the right of England keeper Jordan Pickford in the 35th minute.

England had penalty claims of their own turned down before struggling to maintain their intensity after halftime. Tunisia looked more comfortable as they sat back in defence, only to be undone by Kane in the 91st minute.

From a Trippier corner, a glancing header from Harry Maguire found the Tottenham Hotspur striker at the back post and he cleverly nodded home to give England a winning start.

The result means Belgium top Group G on goal difference after a 3-0 over World Cup debutantes Panama earlier on Monday.