RAHEEM Sterling proved the match-winner again to secure England their spot as Group D winners at Euro 2020.

It was a far from vintage performance from Gareth Southgate’s men, who looked lively at times, particularly in the first half.

They remained in control for the majority of the contest but without seriously threatening, unable to add a second goal with Sterling’s early header enough to earn a 1-0 win.

Sterling remains the only player to net for England in the tournament, after his goal against Croatia and the 0-0 draw with Scotland.

Nevertheless, England progress to the last 16 on top of the group, meaning they will play again at Wembley in the knockout round next Tuesday.

Czech Republic also progress in third place, with Croatia heading through as runners-up, having beaten Scotland 3-1 in Glasgow to send Steve Clarke’s side out of the tournament.

Gareth Southgate made four changes from the goalless draw with Scotland on Friday. Mason Mount missed out due to self-isolation protocols, while Reece James and Tyrone Mings dropped to the bench. Phil Foden was left out of the matchday squad.

Kyle Walker was recalled, while there were first starts of the tournament for Harry Maguire, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish. Ben White returned to the bench, with Ben Chilwell, like Mount, forced to self-isolate having come in close contact with Scotland’s Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for COVID-19.

And England almost got off to the perfect start. Luke Shaw sent Sterling scampering away down the left. The Manchester City man lobbed over the advancing Tomas Vaclik in the Czech Republic goal, but the ball came back off the post. It was the third time in as many group games England had struck the post in the opening exchanges.

But Sterling did not have to wait much longer for his goal.

Incisive work from Saka in the build-up led to Grealish picking the ball up on the left. The Aston Villa ace dinked a cross to the back post, which just evaded Saka but was met by the head of Sterling to break the deadlock.

Harry Kane almost doubled the tally after 25 minutes, breaking through on goal and cutting onto his favoured right foot, but his shot could not beat Vaclik.

Czech Republic then carved out a couple of openings with Tomas Holes denied by a flying Jordan Pickford, before West Ham’s Tomas Soucek flashed a shot narrowly wide from inside the box.

Vaclik had to get down well to ensure it was just a one-goal cushion for England at the break, keeping out a low Shaw cross which had deflected off defender Vladimir Coufal.

Southgate introduced Jordan Henderson off the bench at half-time, the Liverpool man’s first minutes of the tournament.

Neither side was able to work the opposition goalkeeper during the drab early stages of the second half, before both turned to their benches midway through the half. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were brought on for England, with the two men who combined for the opening goal in Sterling and Grealish replaced.

Maguire then looked to take matters into his own hands, driving England forwards twice in quick succession, but his final pass was lacking.

Czech Republic’s response was to throw on former Southampton striker Tomas Pekhart for the final 15 minutes.

Henderson had the ball in the net for England with five minutes to play, but he had strayed into an offside position.

Fortunately Sterling’s goal was enough to secure the victory for the Three Lions.

England: Pickford;  Walker, Stones (Mings, 79), Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice (Henderson, h-t); Saka (Sancho, 84), Sterling (Rashford, 67), Grealish (Bellingham, 67); Kane.

Unused subs: Trippier, James, Coady, White, Calvert-Lewin, Johnstone (g/k), Ramsdale (g/k).

Booked: None.

Czech Republic: Vaclik; Coufal, Celustka, Kalas, Boril; Holes (Vydra, 84), Soucek; Masopust (Hlozek, 65), Darida (Kral, 65), Jankto (Sevcik, h-t); Schick (Pekhart, 76).

Unused subs: Kaderabek, Brabec, Barak, Krmencik, Mateju, Koubak (g/k), Mandous (g/k).

Booked: Boril.

Referee: Artur Dias.

VAR: Joao Pinheiro.