England recorded a 3-0 win over USA at Wembley on Thursday night as the nation's all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney said goodbye to the Three Lions for the final time.
Rooney came on in the 58th minute for his 120th and final England appearance, with the 33-year-old raising money for the Wayne Rooney Foundation in the international friendly.
Rooney was presented with a plaque ahead of kickoff as he took to the field alongside wife Coleen and his four boys. There was to be no goal for the DC United attacker, however, with Jesse Lingard, Trent Alexander-Arnold and debutant Callum Wilson those on the scoresheet for Gareth Southgate's side.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the international friendly between England and USA from Wembley. Wayne Rooney will earn his 120th and final England cap tonight as the country's record goalscorer bows out for good. The match will raise money for the Wayne Rooney Foundation, meanwhile, and it will actually be the first time that England have taken on USA since the 2010 World Cup. Stay tuned for what should be an interesting night!
England and USA are meeting tonight for the first time in a friendly since May 2008. The Three Lions won 2-0 on that occasion courtesy of goals from John Terry and Steven Gerrard, and a certain Wayne Rooney was also in the XI that night. Their last meeting, as mentioned, occurred in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup, with the pair playing out a 1-1 draw.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. England boss Gareth Southgate was expected to name a very experimental XI tonight...
TEAMS!
ENG: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Keane, Dunk, Chilwell; Delph, Winks, Alli; Lingard, Wilson, Sancho
USA: Guzan; Yedlin, Miazga, Brooks, Villafana; McKennie, Trapp; Pulisic, Green, Weah; Wood
There are two debutants in the England XI tonight, with Lewis Dunk and Callum Wilson both selected. The former has been in fine form for Brighton this season, while the latter has been excellent for Bournemouth in recent weeks. Michael Keane is out from the cold to start in central defence, while an experimental XI also includes Fabian Delph and Harry Winks. Delph will actually skipper the team tonight, and 18-year-old Jadon Sancho earns his full debut having appeared off the bench against Croatia last time out. A lot of side stories to the main event - Wayne.
Checking in. ☑️#threelions pic.twitter.com/4GoVCySQXV — England (@England) November 15, 2018
As for the USA, there are a number of familiar faces. Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan starts between the sticks, while Newcastle United right-back DeAndre Yedlin and on-loan Chelsea centre-back Matt Miazga are both included. Further forward, Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic is joined by 18-year-old Timothy Weah - son of George Weah. Bobby Wood has 13 international goals to his name, and will lead the away side's line at Wembley tonight.
Rooney is, of course, on the England bench, and we will be seeing him tonight. This match will mark Rooney's 120th and final England cap, and his 37th at Wembley. The forward has netted 19 times inside this stadium, and could become the third player to score 20 for the national team at Wembley after Gary Lineker and Bobby Charlton. Not bad company it must be said.
A lot has been made of Rooney's inclusion tonight, but he deserves such an occasion. Manchester United's all-time record goalscorer has 53 England goals to his name, and has been in fine form for DC United since moving to the MLS. He is not the Rooney of old, but is still just 33 years of age, and it simply should not be forgotten what he achieved with England.
What tonight is all about...
🙌🏼❤️ pic.twitter.com/nOly4hKXUf — Wayne Roooney Foundation (@FoundationWR) November 15, 2018
England will play again on Sunday as they take on Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Spain are very much in charge of that section, however, and the 2010 world champions would move onto nine points in the group with a win over Croatia tonight. To be completely honest, the UEFA Nations League is quite bizarre. It has made international matches more exciting though, and England will enter tonight's match off the back of a brilliant 3-2 win at Spain last time out.
Having made the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, there is certainly a lot more excitement surrounding the English national team, and the future does look bright. Rooney has grabbed a lot of the headlines, but it will be very interesting to see how Sancho performs on his first Three Lions start. The teenager has been in exceptional form for Borussia Dortmund this season.
As for the USA, Dave Sarachan is currently serving as interim manager. The 64-year-old has also selected a young team tonight, and it will be fascinating to see how the likes of Weah and Pulisic perform. There is certainly a lot of experience between the sticks, however, with the brilliant character that is Brad Guzan winning his 60th cap. Guzan represented Aston Villa, Hull City and Middlesbrough in England, but currently plays his football for MLS side Atlanta United.
The 🔴⚪️&🔵 has arrived at @wembleystadium. 🏟 pic.twitter.com/1E1ivlmJme — U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) November 15, 2018
In terms of recent results, the USA's last international match was against Peru last month, and that friendly finished 1-1. The Stars and Stripes also lost 4-2 to Colombia in October, with their last win (1-0) coming against Mexico in September. The USA have not played a competitive match since losing 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago last October, which saw them fail to qualify for the finals of a World Cup for the first time since 1986. It was a huge disappointment.
It is worth remembering that the USA reached the round of 16 at both the 2010 and 2014 World Cup, and also made the quarter-finals back in 2002. They will host the 2026 competition alongside Canada and Mexico, and that should be some tournament!
Ready. 🇺🇸 #TheFutureIsUS pic.twitter.com/s9kDRJyUtl — U.S. Soccer MNT (@ussoccer_mnt) November 15, 2018
Here we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at Wembley. Delph leads England out tonight, while Trapp as the armband for the visitors. Rooney is, of course, on the bench, and has just made his way out of the tunnel. Huge night for him.
Rooney, with his wife and four boys, has just been welcomed onto the field by the Wembley crowd. It is a warm reception for the DC United forward, who looks very pleased to be here.
Right, almost time for some football then. First, the national anthems.
Brilliantly-observed national anthems. It is England vs. USA at Wembley. Kickoff is next.
KICKOFF: England kick things off on home soil...
... good start from England as Chilwell drives down the left before delivering a low cross into the away side's box, but there are no takers. The hosts have the early possession here.
USA are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as England dominate.
All a bit too easy for England at the moment as USA continue to sink deep, and concede possession when they have the chance to break. Chilwell has just whipped a corner into the away side's penalty box, but centre-back Brooks is on hand to make the clearance.
Guzan has just saved an Alli header onto the crossbar, but the corner had swung out!
First little bit of football from the away side, with Villafana showing good pace in a wide position before delivering, but there are no takers. Better from USA in that moment.
CHANCE! Big chance for Wilson to score on his England debut as Lingard delivers a dangerous cross into the Bournemouth striker, but he fluffs it!
PENALTY APPEAL! Wilson goes down inside the USA box under a challenge from Guzan, but the referee is not interested. Looked very clumsy from the goalkeeper it must be said!
SAVE! Smart save from Guzan to keep out a powerful strike from Lingard!
USA's first corner of the match is a good one, but the referee blows for a free kick, with Miazga making contact with Keane. England will build again from the back here.
USA are enjoying another good period of possession, with Trapp and McKennie getting on the ball. We have not seen an awful lot from Weah or Wood in the away side's attack thus far.
England have a free kick in a dangerous area as Alli is brought to the deck by Trapp...
... Chilwell delivers into a dangerous area, but Miazga rises to head clear.
Sancho breaks into the USA box before delivering low, but once again the danger is cleared. Good work from the Dortmund attacker once again, but just the wrong final pass there.
England continue to dominate the ball as they pass and probe. Not an awful lot to shout about, but there are plenty of gaps in the USA defence, which will surely soon be really exploited.
SAVE! Really big chance for the visitors as Pulisic breaks into the England box before striking towards goal, but Pickford is on hand to make a smart save!
GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 USA (LINGARD)
England make the breakthrough in the 25th minute as Lingard finds space just inside the USA box before bending a brilliant effort into the top corner. Wonderful Lingard goal!
GOAL! ENGLAND 2-0 USA (ALEXANDER-ARNOLD)
England double their lead as Alexander-Arnold strikes a wonderful effort into the bottom corner of the net! The assist was from Sancho, and the contact was just brilliant.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and England are in total control.
USA look bright going forward, but continue to have problems down the other end. To be honest, England look capable of scoring each time that they break into the final third.
SAVE! Pickford has to make a smart save to keep out a strike from Green.
England have just been a little bit sloppy in their passing in the last few minutes, which is inviting USA forward. There is certainly a goal in this game for the visitors if they want it.
SAVE! Comfortable save from Guzan to keep out a strike from Wilson.
Possession football from England as we approach the interval here.
Not too much happening at the moment as England enjoy the ball without really committing too many players forward. The stands have also emptied as the fans head for refreshments.
England have some joy down the right, with Sancho once again impressing on the ball. The visitors manage to regain the ball before breaking, however, and Winks fouls Weah.
HALF TIME: ENGLAND 2-0 USA
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with England leading the USA 2-0 courtesy of goals from Lingard and Alexander-Arnold. The visitors have had some decent moments in the final third, but England have been by far the superior team here.
STATISTICS! England dominated the first-half possession with 62%, while they had eight attempts, five of which were on target. USA, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their five attempts. No yellow cards to report, and to be honest, there has been a bit of a testimonial feel.
BENCH WATCH! Carter-Vickers, Delgado and Moore are among those on the USA bench who will be hoping to feature in the second period. As for England, Rooney will of course be involved, but the likes of Barkley, Henderson, Kane, Rashford and Sterling could also feature.
KICKOFF: USA resume the action here...
ENGLAND SUB! McCarthy has replaced Pickford at the interval.
No changes from the USA at the interval, and just the one for England. It will be very interesting to see what type of tempo the second period is played at here.
CHANCE! Big chance for England as Alexander-Arnold delivers a very dangerous cross into the USA box, but Wilson cannot make contact, and Lingard can only poke wide of the post.
Sancho again does well to play a one-two before breaking into a dangerous position, but Trapp is on hand to make the challenge. Sancho has been very impressive tonight.
Lingard has the chance to release Sancho on the break once again, but Trapp makes another challenge. Moments before, Weah had showed good feet down the other end of the field.
Chilwell drives into a dangerous position before delivering a low cross, but there are no takers. Alexander-Arnold then crosses from the opposite side, and it goes out for a goal kick.
Super work between Lingard and Sancho almost releases Alexander-Arnold, but the away side just manage to clear. Rooney, Henderson and Dier will soon enter the field for the hosts.
ENGLAND SUBS! Rooney, Dier and Henderson replace Alli, Chilwell and Lingard.
Good spell of possession for the visitors in the last couple of minutes here.
Wood strikes inside the England box, but the centre-forward cannot get any power on his effort. Much better from the USA, however, as they pass and probe in attacking areas.
USA SUB! Adams replaces Green for the visitors.
Pulisic does well to take the ball away from Alexander-Arnold in a dangerous position before delivering, but Keane makes the block, and McCarthy can then claw away the corner.
CHANCE! Big chance for the away side as Wood meets a cross from Pulisic, but his header is over the crossbar. Really should have found the back of the net there!
England have lost their shape since the three changes were made here.
ENGLAND SUB! Loftus-Cheek replaces Winks for England.
USA SUB! Acosta replaces Trapp for the visitors.
SAVE! Easy save for Guzan to keep out a curling Rooney effort.
USA are preparing to make two more changes as we head for the final 15 minutes.
CLOSE! Wilson turns a low Alexander-Arnold cross just wide of the post.
USA SUBS! Lletget and Saief replace Weah and McKennie.
GOAL! ENGLAND 3-0 USA (WILSON)
Wilson scores on his debut! Brilliant moment for the Bournemouth forward as he turns a Delph cross into the back of the net. Wilson really deserves that for his excellent performance.
ENGLAND SUB! Rashford replaces Wilson for England.
Still a solid 10 minutes of football left at Wembley, and surely there will be a half-chance for Rooney in the latter stages. A penalty would be nice for the DC United attacker.
USA are having some joy at the moment as they look for a late consolation here.
Pulisic is blocked off inside the England box, but the referee is not interested. The Dortmund attacker has been bright for USA tonight, but has not had too much around him here.
Still time for Rooney, and the forward has been heavily involved since entering the field.
SHOT! Wood misses the England crossbar from outside the box.
USA SUB! Villafana is replaced by Moore for the away side.
The fourth official has signalled three minutes of added time.
Perhaps one final push for England as they look to work a chance for Rooney. Time is running out, however, and the visitors have a lot of players in their own half at the moment.
SAVE! Guzan gets down to keep out a strike from Rooney!
CHANCE! Another chance for Rooney as Alexander-Arnold delivers a cross, but the captain cannot make contact. That should be that for this match!
FULL TIME: ENGLAND 3-0 USA
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with England running out 3-0 winners over USA on the night. Rooney almost notched late on, but it was not to be! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live commentary once again!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
