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Jadon Sancho lights up Wayne Rooney’s farewell match for England against USA Jadon Sancho lights up Wayne Rooney’s farewell match for England against USA
(about 1 hour 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. There were glimpses of a familiar fearlessness, flashbacks to the searing pace generated from a standing start, all stocky power and precocious skill to traumatise markers. Wayne Rooney must have seen his youthful self in Jadon Sancho and, having delighted in a fond farewell, departed this stage convinced the baton has been passed on to worthy successors. This had been billed as his night but, in the end, it was the new generation who dazzled.
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. The former captain’s cameo ultimately 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 wonderfully lofted pass for Ruben Loftus-Cheek to gather, and a placed attempt in injury time which so nearly squirmed beyond Brad Guzan only for the goalkeeper to grasp it at full stretch. Rooney’s script did not quite extend to a 54th international goal.
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. It mattered not, and he played out his time with a broad smile creased across his face, and applause for all corners of the arena. “It’s in very safe hands, from what I’ve seen this week,” he offered in the aftermath. “It’s a great group of young players who have a really bright future. I’m sure in the next few years they will go close to bringing a trophy back. I’ve had my time, it was two years since I last played. I’m proud to be the record goalscorer. I can sit back now and watch them. I’ll be one of the fans supporting them.”
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. There is so much from which to draw encouragement at present, regardless of the outcome of Sunday’s mouthwatering winner-takes-all Nations League collision with Croatia, when a victory will see England claim the section. Lose, or even score draw, and they will be relegated, but they will tear into that tie with gusto. Sancho is unlikely to start this weekend, but has now served notice of his blistering talent within the confines of Wembley. 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 sublime, his quick feet a blur of tricks and flicks to torment a frazzled back-line. 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. He 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 basking in each other’s company for a brief moment. “Playing with Wayne Rooney was a dream come true,” Sancho said. “He’s a legend and a role model to me. I was a bit nervous ahead of the game and he came over and told me just to express myself because I had nothing to lose.”
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 had been Sancho’s calm head among panicked opponents inside the visitors’ cluttered penalty area, and carefully weighted pass for an overlapping Trent Alexander-Arnold, which effectively settled the game. The full-back, only just out of his teens himself, ripped a first England goal gloriously across Guzan and inside the far post, becoming the youngest Liverpool player to score for England since Michael Owen in the process.
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. Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli were more senior heads among England’s least experienced lineup in 38 years – 94 caps combined in the starting XI while Rooney was still stuck on 119 among the substitutes – with the stalwarts from the summer’s World Cup campaign sprightly around the latest bright young things. Lingard’s sumptuous, curled shot had punctured USA within minutes of Jordan Pickford denying Christian Pulisic at the visitors’ best opportunity. That chance had been sprung from Lewis Dunk’s pang of nerves on debut though, in truth, there was little trepidation to this display until concentration wavered for periods in the second half. The memory instead will be simply of enthusiasm, even delight.
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. 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, on loan at non-league Tamworth six years ago, might have scored early on only to swipe rather tentatively at Lingard’s centre, and was convinced he had won a penalty from Guzan’s challenge moments later, ensuring his left leg made contact with the on-rushing goalkeeper, only for the Spanish official to wave away the appeals. Bournemouth’s first England starter would not be denied his own reward, and forced a volley through Guzan from Fabian Delph’s near-post cross for his final contribution of the night. His display deserved that much.
A third debutant, Alex McCarthy, watched Bobby Wood plant a header over the bar. The Southampton goalkeeper’s parents had not witnessed his first cap as they were apparently still flying back from a trekking holiday in Peru. They missed an occasion Rooney will remember from the pre-match guard of honour, through which he strode with his youngest son, Cass, in his arms, to the reception on the final whistle. He ended up delivering a tearful speech in the dressing room. By the time he sits down back in the States to watch Sunday’s crunch tie, he will be a supporter watching a vibrant, young England team make waves without him.
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 MoldovaLeague 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 MacedoniaLeague 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 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 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 ArmeniaLeague 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 AzerbaijanLeague 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• 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.
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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