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| Jadon Sancho lights up Wayne Rooney’s farewell match for England against USA | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| There were glimpses for the majority inside this arena to cherish, flashbacks to the skill and vision Wayne Rooney had delivered for England over a career now complete, and celebrated, at 120 caps. The former captain’s final cameo amounted to 32 minutes, a period illuminated by one sharp shift on to his left foot to whip away a shot that was claimed, one wonderful lofted pass for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to gather, and a shot in injury time which nearly, so nearly, squirmed beneath Brad Guzan and in. His script did not quite extend to a 54th international goal. | |
| It mattered not, and he played out his time with a smile. Gareth Southgate, too, could be satisfied with plenty he had seen. Jadon Sancho, such a livewire on the flank, has now served notice of his blistering talent on this stage, and will have enjoyed his rat-a-tat passing routines with Rooney as the clock ticked down for the 33-year-old at this level. England’s past and future had combined in that exchange just inside their opponents’ half. | It mattered not, and he played out his time with a smile. Gareth Southgate, too, could be satisfied with plenty he had seen. Jadon Sancho, such a livewire on the flank, has now served notice of his blistering talent on this stage, and will have enjoyed his rat-a-tat passing routines with Rooney as the clock ticked down for the 33-year-old at this level. England’s past and future had combined in that exchange just inside their opponents’ half. |
| Rooney will remember it all, from the players’ guard of honour through which he marched before kick-off, carrying his youngest son, Cass, even to the conversation he had with a lone pitch invader, apparently intent upon passing on his best. England will move on without him, and can win their Nations League group by beating Croatia here on Sunday. Their momentum has been maintained. | Rooney will remember it all, from the players’ guard of honour through which he marched before kick-off, carrying his youngest son, Cass, even to the conversation he had with a lone pitch invader, apparently intent upon passing on his best. England will move on without him, and can win their Nations League group by beating Croatia here on Sunday. Their momentum has been maintained. |
| So much that had preceded the farewell will have pleased Southgate. Admittedly, the United States looked a side either in transition or still traumatised by their non-involvement at the summer’s jamboree in Russia, but the manner in which the hosts scuttled through them at will served notice that the second string, like the first-choice selection, are propelled by unswerving conviction at present. It had been 38 years since England last fielded a side this inexperienced, with 94 caps between them in the starting XI while Rooney was still stuck on 119 among the substitutes. Yet there was no visible trepidation in any of their progressive play. There was simply enthusiasm, even delight. | So much that had preceded the farewell will have pleased Southgate. Admittedly, the United States looked a side either in transition or still traumatised by their non-involvement at the summer’s jamboree in Russia, but the manner in which the hosts scuttled through them at will served notice that the second string, like the first-choice selection, are propelled by unswerving conviction at present. It had been 38 years since England last fielded a side this inexperienced, with 94 caps between them in the starting XI while Rooney was still stuck on 119 among the substitutes. Yet there was no visible trepidation in any of their progressive play. There was simply enthusiasm, even delight. |
| The youngest Englishman on show was one of the most assured. It was fitting that Sancho should announce himself to Wembley on the night Rooney, once the tyro who had taken the breath as a teenager, bowed out in style. The 18-year-old brought all the dynamic form that has thrilled so often for Borussia Dortmund since his brave decision to prioritise first-team football over life on the fringes at an all-conquering Manchester City. Some of the winger’s touches were mesmeric, his quick feet a blur of tricks and flicks to torment DeAndre Yedlin and Matt Miazga, Jorge Villafaña or John Brooks across a frazzled backline. So much for nerves on a first senior start for his country. | The youngest Englishman on show was one of the most assured. It was fitting that Sancho should announce himself to Wembley on the night Rooney, once the tyro who had taken the breath as a teenager, bowed out in style. The 18-year-old brought all the dynamic form that has thrilled so often for Borussia Dortmund since his brave decision to prioritise first-team football over life on the fringes at an all-conquering Manchester City. Some of the winger’s touches were mesmeric, his quick feet a blur of tricks and flicks to torment DeAndre Yedlin and Matt Miazga, Jorge Villafaña or John Brooks across a frazzled backline. So much for nerves on a first senior start for his country. |
| It was his calm head among panicked opponents inside the visitors’ penalty area, and carefully weighted pass for an overlapping Trent Alexander-Arnold on the outside, which provided England’s second of the night. The full-back ripped his first England goal gloriously across Brad Guzan and inside the far post. It had only been seconds since the former Aston Villa goalkeeper had been collecting the ball after Jesse Lingard’s sumptuous, curled attempt had bypassed him from just inside the area. The Manchester United forward, like Dele Alli, had been a stalwart from the summer only for injuries to interrupt progress to date this term. That pair may have slipped marginally down Southgate’s pecking order, for all that they staked their claim here for inclusion on Sunday. | It was his calm head among panicked opponents inside the visitors’ penalty area, and carefully weighted pass for an overlapping Trent Alexander-Arnold on the outside, which provided England’s second of the night. The full-back ripped his first England goal gloriously across Brad Guzan and inside the far post. It had only been seconds since the former Aston Villa goalkeeper had been collecting the ball after Jesse Lingard’s sumptuous, curled attempt had bypassed him from just inside the area. The Manchester United forward, like Dele Alli, had been a stalwart from the summer only for injuries to interrupt progress to date this term. That pair may have slipped marginally down Southgate’s pecking order, for all that they staked their claim here for inclusion on Sunday. |
| In truth, many did. Ben Chilwell was rampant down the left, often combining slickly with Sancho or Alli. Harry Winks was busy and effective on his first home cap. Callum Wilson, who was on loan at non-league Tamworth six years ago, might have scored early on only to swipe rather tentatively at Lingard’s centre with the effort dribbling away. He would tumble under Guzan’s challenge moments later, ensuring his left leg made contact with the onrushing goalkeeper, only for the Spanish official to wave away the penalty appeal. | In truth, many did. Ben Chilwell was rampant down the left, often combining slickly with Sancho or Alli. Harry Winks was busy and effective on his first home cap. Callum Wilson, who was on loan at non-league Tamworth six years ago, might have scored early on only to swipe rather tentatively at Lingard’s centre with the effort dribbling away. He would tumble under Guzan’s challenge moments later, ensuring his left leg made contact with the onrushing goalkeeper, only for the Spanish official to wave away the penalty appeal. |
| Bournemouth’s first ever England starter ran the channels selflessly, carrying a threat which bore fruit 13 minutes from time as he forced a volley through Guzan from Fabian Delph’s cross. He deserved that reward. | Bournemouth’s first ever England starter ran the channels selflessly, carrying a threat which bore fruit 13 minutes from time as he forced a volley through Guzan from Fabian Delph’s cross. He deserved that reward. |
| League A, Group 2: Belgium 2-0 IcelandA4: Croatia 3-2 SpainB3: Austria 0-0 Bosnia-HerzegovinaC2: Hungary 2-0 Estonia, Greece 1-0 FinlandD1: Kazakhstan 1-1 Latvia, Andorra 1-1 GeorgiaD2: Luxembourg 0-2 Belarus, San Marino 0-1 Moldova | |
| League A, Group 1: Netherlands v FranceB1: Slovakia v UkraineB4: Wales v DenmarkC3: Cyprus v Bulgaria, Slovenia v NorwayD4: Gibraltar v Armenia, Liechtenstein v FYR Macedonia | |
| League A, Group 3: Italy v PortugalB2: Turkey v SwedenC1: Albania v ScotlandC4: Serbia v Montenegro (4pm), Romania v LithuaniaD3: Azerbaijan v Faroe Islands (5pm), Malta v Kosovo (5pm) | |
| League A, Group 2: Switzerland v BelgiumA4: England v Croatia (2pm)B3: Northern Ireland v Austria (5pm)C2: Hungary v Finland, Greece v EstoniaD2: San Marino v Belarus (5pm), Moldova v Belarus (5pm) | |
| League A, Group 1: Germany v NetherlandsB1: Czech Republic v SlovakiaB4: Denmark v Republic of IrelandC3: Cyprus v Norway, Bulgaria v SloveniaD1: Georgia v Kazakhstan (5pm), Andorra v Latvia (5pm)D4: FYR Macedonia v Gibraltar, Liechtenstein v Armenia | |
| League A, Group 3: Portugal v PolandB2: Sweden v RussiaC1: Scotland v IsraelC4: Serbia v Lithuania, Montenegro v RomaniaD3: Malta v Faroe Islands, Kosovo v Azerbaijan | |
| • All kick-offs 7.45pm GMT unless stated | |
| It had been at centre-half, if anywhere, where the English felt more tentative. Lewis Dunk, the first Brighton player since Steve Foster in 1982 to grace the senior side, took time to adjust. It had been his surrender of possession, then anxious dive in on Christian Pulisic, which presented the visitors with their best opportunity only for Jordan Pickford, a reassuring last line of defence, to block. | It had been at centre-half, if anywhere, where the English felt more tentative. Lewis Dunk, the first Brighton player since Steve Foster in 1982 to grace the senior side, took time to adjust. It had been his surrender of possession, then anxious dive in on Christian Pulisic, which presented the visitors with their best opportunity only for Jordan Pickford, a reassuring last line of defence, to block. |
| Alex McCarthy became the hosts’ third debutant after the interval and was fortunate Bobby Wood planted a free header over the bar as England’s tempo dipped amid the changes, but everything about this was comfortable and, ultimately, celebratory. | Alex McCarthy became the hosts’ third debutant after the interval and was fortunate Bobby Wood planted a free header over the bar as England’s tempo dipped amid the changes, but everything about this was comfortable and, ultimately, celebratory. |
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