Maguire defends Stones after bailing out center-back partner's error

was robbed of the ball right outside his own box by Moder, who nudged the ball to Arkadiusz Milik and received a return pass before firing beyond Nick Pope with the first shot on target England had faced in the group.

But Maguire lashed in a fierce effort of his own five minutes from time, latching on to a knock-down by Stones at a corner, ensuring the Three Lions made it three wins from as many games on the road to Qatar 2022.

"John [Stones] has been brilliant this year,"

Maguire announced to ITV Sport.

"Defenders make mistakes and when we do we get scrutinized. He's had a great year, a great camp as well. He made one little mistake but made up for it with a great header at the back post, that's what he's there for.

"I said to him to just keep going, keep going and we'll get the win and we managed to do that."

This season, Stones have yet to see any mistake of his lead to a shot or goal for

and Maguire does not consider Wednesday's mishap is anything more than a blip.

"We're defenders, we always make mistakes,"

continued. 

"We're not perfect, by any means, and John obviously had a little blip tonight.

"he's been brilliant over this camp and apart from that little mistake, which I'm sure he won't make again soon, it was a big performance from him to come back strong with the reaction he made and getting the assist is important for the team."

England manager, Gareth Southgate hailed Stones' answer.

"He managed to compose himself for the rest of the game and had a part in the winning goal which was important - you can fold in those moments and he didn't,"

Southgate mentioned.

"He's been having a good season and he's made a mistake tonight, he knows that but he bounced back during the game and he's got to keep doing that."

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