Football news - Callum Wilson claims debut goal against USA as Wayne Rooney says goodbye at Wembley
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ByEurosport
Updated 15/11/2018 at 22:31 GMT
International friendly, Wembley - England 3 (Lingard 26, Alexander-Arnold 27, Wilson 77) United States 0
England's striker Callum Wilson (R) celebrates scoring their third goal with England's striker Wayne Rooney (C)
Image credit: Getty Images
A fairytale goal evaded Wayne Rooney on his 120th and final appearance for England, but the striker had the best seat in the house as youth delivered in a 3-0 win against the United States at Wembley.
In what was dubbed the Wayne Rooney Foundation International, England’s all-time top goalscorer came on to a huge ovation in the second half, as he sought to add to his record 53 goals.
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Wayne Rooney of England gives his team instructions
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At that point, England were already 2-0 up after a superb Jesse Lingard strike and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first goal for his country.
And a carnival atmosphere ensued when Rooney graced the Wembley turf for one last time, and while Callum Wilson got his England career off to the perfect start with a debut goal, the man bidding farewell to international football was denied the perfect ending when Brad Guzan kept his low effort out in stoppage time.
TALKING POINT
First-half display outweighs the Rooney show. England waved goodbye to a legend, but what preceded the Rooney show was a vibrant display from those carrying the nation’s hopes going forward.
The starting XI had fewer caps (94) than Rooney on his own going into the match, but the team oozed confidence in the opening 45. Lingard and Alli ran the show, while 18-year-old Jadon Sancho put in a performance – on his first start for England – that defied his age, though it appears to be all in a day’s work for the country’s newest superstar given his exploits for Borussia Dortmund over in Germany.
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Jadon Sancho of England is challenged by Christian Pulisic of the United States during the International Friendly match between England and United States at Wembley Stadium on November 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom
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The free-flowing display became somewhat disjointed when Rooney came on, with cheers and cries of "Shoot!" everytime he touched the ball, but still, when England wanted to, they could turn on the style.
Plenty to build on as England take on Croatia in a winner-takes-all clash in the Nations League on Sunday.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Trent Alexander-Arnold (England) England’s offensive display was a joy to watch. Alli, Sancho and Lingard looked as though they had played alongside one another for years, but it was England’s full-backs who truly added the extra threat going forward.
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England's defender Trent Alexander-Arnold scores their second goal during the international friendly football match between England and the United States at Wembley stadium in north London on November 15, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
Ben Chilwell went some way to outline his credentials as England’s finest left-back, while Alexander-Arnold continues to amaze. Not only did the Liverpool right-back get his first goal for his country, but he simply never stopped running, and displayed a range of passing seldom seen from a right-back's boot.
PLAYER RATINGS
England: Pickford 6, Alexander-Arnold 8, Keane 6, Dunk 6, Chilwell 8, Winks 6, Delph 7, Alli 7, Sancho 8, Wilson 7, Lingard 8
Subs: McCarthy 6, Henderson 6, Dier 6, Rooney 7, Loftus-Cheek 7, Rashford 6
USA: Guzan 6, Miazga 6, Brooks 5, Yedlin 5, Villafana 5, McKennie 5, Trapp 6, Pulisic 6, Green 6, Weah 6, Wood 6
Subs: Adams 6, Acosta 6, Saief 6, Lletget 6, Moore 6
KEY MOMENTS
11’ - Penalty? Moments later, Wilson goes down after nudging the ball past Guzan. The referee points for a goal-kick... Honestly? Looks like Wilson has left his leg near Guzan anticipating the contact.
25’ - Huge save! Somehow, Pulisic finds himself through on goal, one on one with Pickford, and it's the Everton goalkeeper who denies the Dortmund forward.
26’ - GOAL! Wow. That is some strike from Lingard, barely a minute after Pickford's huge save for England. Alli plays it back to the Man Utd man, and he curls in an absolute beauty from the corner of the box, right into the top corner.
27’ - ANOTHER GOAL! The floodgates have opened up for England... Sancho gets an assist as he rolls it over who Alexander-Arnold, who fizzes a low drive into the far corner.
77’ - GOAL! Wilson strikes on his debut! And it's no more than the Bournemouth striker deserves. Delph's cross finds Wilson six yards out and this time he does turn his effort in at the near post.
90+2’ - HOW DARE YOU BRAD! HOW DARE YOU! Rooney has the ball some 15 yards out, he cuts onto his right foot and strikes low, but Guzan gets down to keep out the effort. Rooney simply smiles.
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Wayne Rooney of England looks to embrace Brad Guzan of the United States after the International Friendly match between England and United States at Wembley Stadium on November 15, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
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