Tunisia head coach Nabil Maaloul has praised Harry Kane for being "one of the best attackers in the Premier League" and the driving force behind England's 2-1 win in the two teams' World Cup opener.

The Tottenham Hotspur striker gave the Three Lions an 11th-minute lead in Volgograd but Ferjani Sassi's contentious penalty on 35 minutes drew the Eagles of Carthage level.

England spurned numerous chances during the game but managed to grab a late winner when Kane headed home from close range following Harry Maguire's flick-on from a corner.

"The risks came from set pieces," Maaloul told reporters. "When you have very tall players it is very difficult to counter them. They were much better than us when it came to those high balls.

"Harry Kane is one of the best attackers in the Premier League and that is why he is highly sought after by the highest clubs.

"I think he was behind the victory of the English team, it was him who was always at the right time and he is the optimum scorer."

Kane now has 15 goals in 25 appearances for England.