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International Friendlies

Jun 7, 2014 at 9.45pm UK

England
0-0
Honduras Honduras

Beckeles (65')

England labour in stormy Honduras draw

By Chris O'Keefe, Reporter | 07 June 2014

England draw their final World Cup warm-up with Honduras in a stormy Miami.

England struggled to show a cutting edge as they drew with Honduras in their final World Cup warm-up game, which saw the players forced off the pitch due to an electrical storm in Miami.

Lightning strikes behind the scoreboard as the match is delayed due to inclement weather during the International Friendly match between England and Honduras on June 7, 2014 © Getty Images

Roy Hodgson's side struggled to find their feet in the opening minutes and went closest to an opener when Daniel Sturridge's shot trickled just past the post.

It was at this point in the game that referee Ricardo Salazar decided to bring the players off for their own safety, and England's squad found them cocooned inside the dressing room at Sun Life Stadium for around 30 minutes while the thunderstorm moved overhead.

Once play resumed, the Three Lions nearly found themselves trailing when Jerry Bengston poked a hopeful shot at Joe Hart after Adam Lallana was caught in possession.

Honduran players were unafraid to throw themselves into tackles and Luis Garrido quickly found himself in the book for a rash challenge on Steven Gerrard, although the England captain managed to avoid any injury.

The game became more bad-tempered as Emilio Izaguirre soon picked up a booking for kicking the ball at Sturridge, seconds after bringing down the Liverpool striker.

Wayne Rooney of England (C) speaks to referee Ricardo Salazar as Adam Lallana (L), Steven Gerrard (2nd R) and Jordan Henderson (R) look on as Salazar delays the match due to a storm on June 7, 2014 © Getty Images

With the interval approaching, Lallana nearly gave Hodgson's men the lead when his deflected shot was only inches wide of goal.

After the break, England looked more threatening in attack as Ross Barkley linked up with Lallana before unleashing a shot from 25 yards that nearly crept inside Noel Valladares's post.

Sturridge then tried to break the deadlock himself on 54 minutes when he found space in the Honduras area, but his audacious chip was wide.

England's quest for victory before flying to Brazil was boosted when Brayan Beckeles was sent off for a second bookable offence as he caught Leighton Baines with his arm.

Wayne Rooney of England holds off Emilio Izaguirre of Honduras in the first half during the International Friendly match on June 7, 2014 © Getty Images

Soon after Honduras were reduced to 10 men Sturridge was in the thick of the action again, but he couldn't steer Glen Johnson's cross goalwards when he found himself unmarked in the area.

England tried to find a late winner in the dying moments, but a deflected Barkley effort was as close as they came to victory.

They will now prepare for their World Cup opener in Manaus against Italy next Saturday.