Rooney does indeed hit the free-kick but after beating the wall his delivery curls just over the bar.

Image source, Reuters

Get a touch! Kane drives the ball in but nobody is able to steer the ball goalwards. England come again, though, and win another free-kick - this time on a shallower angle on the left. Rooney looks like he fancies this one...

Image source, Reuters

England's first real attack of the half gives Raheem Sterling a sniff in the box, but his control lets him down. He keeps the ball, though, and is fouled outside the box on the left. This is a chance...

Mark Underwood: It's Vardy time! Bring the man on. Time to add finishing to some superb play.

Stephen Gallagher: England playing well, a few of these players look good enough to make it into the Wales squad.

Cheeky...

The dynamic has shifted at the start of this half. Russia are having more of the ball. Well, they were until Georgy Schennikov lets the ball roll straight out of play. Much appreciated Georgy.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Waddle
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

England have started this half really deep. 

Russia have started the half on the front foot. They probe away outside the England box but the Three Lions defence holds firm. Chris Smalling does well to beat Artem Dzyuba in the air before Gary Cahill's well-timed tackle heads off another dangerous ball in to the six-yard box.

Image source, Reuters

Russia drive forward from the off, but the flag is up to cut the attack short.

Wayne Rooney has been dominant in the England midfield and has played 39 passes, 10 more than anyone from the Russian team. Only two have been unsuccessful, shown in red below.

Image source, Opta

After another rendition of God Save the Queen from the stands, Russia get the game back under way. No changes from either side.

Any future England internationals among this brood?

OK, England. More of the same please, with one key addition - the ball in the net. The teams are heading back out. Time to strap yourselves in again.

Image source, Getty Images

England midfielder Dele Alli: “When I step on the pitch, I always try to bring the same attitude I’ve had since I first started playing. Never being afraid to try new skills or go in for a tackle or go for a something a bit special. 

"That’s why I’ve always got a smile on my face, because I’m always trying something new. That attitude is what I’m going to bring to my first major international tournament, just as I did when I was playing at my local 5-a-side.”

That's funny. When I play 5-a-side I imagine myself playing for the England in a big tournament... right up until I trip over the ball trying to control it.

If you want to know how Alli went from 5-a-side to England superstar have a look at this video.

Fancy some half-time analysis? Over on Facebook, Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer,and Rio Ferdinand are assessing England's performance in the first half. You can watch them live now., external

Richard D: That's about the best half of football we could have had without scoring. Come on #ENG if we score one we'll get three or four.

Tim Symes: Best 135 minutes of football I've seen in a long time #WALSVK #ENGRUS. More of the same please.

Harriet Butler: What's the betting Russia score with the first chance of the second half?

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

It's as good an England performance as I've seen for a while. It's like they are playing in the Premier League which is what we want. They have been wearing Russia down, and we have been on the receiving end of that in the past, so I just hope they don't take too much confidence from the fact they have not conceded. 

This looks like Spurs have been playing all season. Danny Rose and Kyle Walker high up the pitch, Eric Dier in midfield and then Wayne Rooney spraying the passes.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Stade Velodrome, Marseille

England have delivered a superb first-half performance there but have not got the goal their display deserves - and Russia coach Leonid Slutski will be delighted that his outclassed side have got in on level terms.

Wayne Rooney has delivered a masterclass in midfield. Can England keep this intensity and tempo going?

I tell you what, Gala must be over the moon right now. All because of a Wigan fan, Freed From Desire is now the most popular song in stadiums across Europe.

All it does is make me think of the sixth-form common room at school. That and Free by Ultra Nate.