England 1-0 Australia - Ollie Watkins nets winner as Three Lions edge out visitors at Wembley Stadium
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Updated 13/10/2023 at 22:08 GMT
There was very little between the two sides at Wembley Stadium on Friday evening as England edged out Australia 1-0 in their international friendly. Ollie Watkins popped up with the only goal of the game to separate the sides, although Australia certainly had chances to come back into it and rescue at least a draw. The Aston Villa striker turned out to be the match-winner.
Ollie Watkins of England celebrates 1st goal during the international friendly match between England and Australia at Wembley Stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
Ollie Watkins’ close-range strike was enough to earn England a slender victory at Wembley, as they beat Australia 1-0 in a friendly.
The striker could actually have put the Three Lions ahead in the first half, only to hit the post after rounding the goalkeeper in what was a rare chance for Gareth Southgate’s side, perhaps unsurprisingly given the nature of the starting line-up.
Their visitors were arguably the better of the two sides in the opening 45 minutes, and should have taken the lead when Ryan Strain’s low strike was blocked away by Lewis Dunk.
England were improved after the break, though, and took the lead when Watkins got a crucial touch on Jack Grealish’s shot, which was going narrowly wide until the Aston Villa striker got a foot on it.
Connor Metcalfe could have equalised for Australia, although he criminally failed to hit the target with a free header from close range.
Talking point - Old guard don’t have much to worry about
With an eye on Tuesday’s massive UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy, Gareth Southgate used this match as a chance to have a look at some of his fringe players.
That meant a debut for Levi Colwill, as well as rare starts for Fikayo Tomori, Sam Johnstone and Jarrod Bowen.
While none of those brought into the side did anything wrong, it was more that they failed to show they are worthy of displacing the likes of Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham, both substitutes on the night, at this morning in time.
Player of the match - Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)
This game was played at a fairly low intensity, as is the norm for friendlies, so it was quite difficult for any player to really stick out.
Alexander-Arnold is certainly somebody who had an impact on the game though, with his terrific swinging cross leading to Watkins’ goal.
He showed his flexibility by playing at both right-back and in central-midfield, with the latter an interesting option for Gareth Southgate heading to Germany for next year’s European Championships.
Player ratings
ENGLAND: Johnstone 6; Alexander-Arnold 7, Dunk 7, Tomori 6, Colwill 7; Grealish 7, Gallagher 6, Henderson 6, Maddison 6; Bowen 6, Watkins 7. Subs: Stones 6, Trippier 6, Phillips 6, Rashford 6, Foden 6, Nketiah 6
AUSTRALIA: Ryan 6; Strain 6, Souttar 7, Burgess 6, Rowles 7; Baccus 6, Irvine 5, Metcalfe 5; Boyle 6, Duke 5, Goodwin 5. Subs: Miller, Bos, Borrello, Mabil n/a, Behich n/a, Toure n/a
Match highlights
29’ WATKINS HITS THE POST! Watkins times his run perfectly to beat the offside trap. He rounds Matt Ryan, only to see his left-footed shot bobble into the post before being cleared
45’ SUPER DUNK BLOCK DENIES STRAIN. Australia should be ahead! They break down the centre as Duke bursts onto a long ball, holds possession up before feeding Straight, who's free on the right. He shoots low, but Lewis Dunk flies in to block away
57’ GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 AUSTRALIA (Ollie Watkins): There's the breakthrough! A deep ball to the back post by Alexander-Arnold goes all the way to Grealish. He fizzes a shot back across goal, and Watkins slides in to tap home from inches out. He had to be there too - it was going wide without that touch!
81’ METCALFE MISSES. A free-header at the far post from a corner, but he can't get it on target. You have to do better from that position
Key stats
- England have now won their last 12 friendlies
- Australia’s dismal record against European countries continues, with just three victories in their last 20 attempts against teams from this continent
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