[monks data]

International Friendlies

Jun 7, 2014 at 9.45pm UK

England
0-0
Honduras Honduras

Beckeles (65')

Half-Time Report: England level with Honduras after Miami storm delay

By Chris O'Keefe, Reporter | 07 June 2014

England are held by Honduras at half time in their World Cup warm-up game in Miami, which was stopped due to a thunderstorm.

England's final warm-up game against Honduras in Miami took a strange turn as both sets of players were beckoned off the pitch due to a thunderstorm.

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

The game was delayed by more than 30 minutes as the weather passed over Sun Life Stadium and fans were asked to leave the stand for their own safety, before referee Ricardo Salazar allowed the match to continue.

Before the unexpected break, Daniel Sturridge had the best chance for the Three Lions when neat build-up play saw the Liverpool forward in possession on the edge of the box, but his effort was narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

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

Within seconds of the restarted first half Adam Lallana almost gifted Honduras the lead when he was caught in possession, allowing Jerry Bengston to prod a hopeful effort in Joe Hart's direction.

England fans may have been forgiven for worrying when Luis Garrido lept into a challenge on Steven Gerrard, for which the Honduran player picked up a yellow card, but thankfully the captain came out unscathed.

Honduras' midfielder Roger Espinoza (L) vies for the ball with England's defender Glen Johnson before the friendly game on June 7, 2014 © Getty Images

Celtic full-back Emilio Izaguirre then found himself in the book for striking the ball and Sturridge, moments after tripping the striker as the game threatened to become ill-tempered.

Just before half time Lallana went close to giving Roy Hodgson's side the lead, but his effort was deflected just wide of goal.

Soon after the game, the England squad will fly to Brazil ahead of their first World Cup match against Italy next Saturday.