An array of English debuts could be made tonight for the three Lions as Gareth Southgate once again looks to England’s youth to secure them a victory over Wales in an international friendly.
Gareth Southgate made a big decision earlier in the week to leave Ben Chilwell, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham out of the squad after breaking government Coronavirus guidelines. Having already removed Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood from the squad it is a huge call from the England gaffer and im sure will be a huge talking point after tonights match. Riley Finch will be taking you through the action as it happens.
Starting Lineups
Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bukayo Saka make their debuts for the three lions and Danny Ings and Jack Grealish both make their first starts
Ben Davies captains Wales for the very first time, they are without star man Gareth Bale who is still nursing his injury
We are almost underway here in what should be an exciting game. There will be plenty of goals in this content, especially considering the fine run of form Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in. Wales are unbeaten in 8 games and Wales youngster Matondo will look to cause the Three Lions some problems with his pace and trickery.
A big talking point is Southgate’s decision to drop out of form Jordon Pickford for Burnley’s Nick Pope, a decision I deem to be the right one after Pickford’s recent performances.
Kick-off
0′ The players knelt, Wales Kick off and we are underway
4′ Matondo moves past England cooly and a deflected shot from Tyler Roberts brings the first corner of the game
5′ Poor corner from Wales and England easily clear the ball out from the box
6′ England work it nicely down the right hand ball earning a corner after a beautiful ping from Kalvin Phillips, I can already hear the Leeds fans on twitter pitting him for the Balondor
9′ Its a bit like ping pong this, both sides win the ball back and give it away so easily. Its a very open game at the moment
12′ Roberts and Mutonda keep stretching the England fullbacks and with a couple more clean passes we could be looking at a dangerous attack
13′ Calvert-Lewin makes a lovely darting run past the keeper in no mans land and looks to make his first England assist but the England players are nowhere to be seen in the box and the chance comes to nothing
14′ End to end stuff this. Ben Davies goes in behind the England full backs and tries to clip the ball into Mutonda but he cant find his feet and England clear
17′ England break very quickly through Jack Grealish but there just isnt enough support in the box for them to make a proper chance and Wales win the ball back, they are currently dominating possession
19′ Roberts gets clipped by Kalvin Phillips after a good driving run. Wales free-kick from a promising position
20′ Saka almost gifts Moore a goal after heading the ball back into the box after a poor Wales cross. We will put that down to debut nerves
Did you know:
24′ For a captain Kieran Trippier really needs to e more demanding as a captain, hes not quite the John Terry or Harry Maguire we are used to seeing
25′ DEBUT GOOOOAAAAALLLL
Who else could it be? England work it nicely down the right hand side and Jack Grealish floats the ball into the third yard box and Dominic Calvert-Lewin pounces in the box for a free header.
The first of many for England’s new number 9
29′ Moore gets in behind the England centre backs and almost slots home an equaliser if not for Nick Popes agile reflexes to pounce on the chance. Would Pickford have saved that? Im saying nothing
High praise indeed from one of England’s best goal scorers
34′ Wales once again try to float the ball into the box for Keifer Moore to head home but sadly he’s not Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nick Pope collects comfetably
38′ Keifer Moore shakes his head after going down for the second time and we are likely to see Welsh manager Giggs forced into an early chang. A huge blow for Wales as Neko Williams comes on for Keifer Moore as Tyler Robert slides into the striker role
The three lions supporters are clearly very happy with the performances of Grealish and DLC
41′ YELLOW CARD! Connor Roberts sticks his leg out and clips young Saka who moved the ball quickly, Welcome to international football son
44′ The game starts to get physical as Chris Meopham goes straight through the back of Jack Grealish. I suppose Grealish is used to getting fouled by Premier league opponents by now though
45+2′ A decent looking cross from Niko Williams goes to waste as Tyler Roberts fails to cleanly head the ball, I would have fancied Kiefer Moore to do better with that
45+2′ The referee stops play and blows for half time
Half-time England 1-0 Wales
Praise is being heaped onto Jack Grealish and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and rightfully so, great start for the England boys
The three lions fans are loving the action, Wales fans…not so much
Second half
45′ The second half is underway with Wales making two Substitutions. Dylan Levit comes on for Joseff Morrel and Joe Rodon makes way for Benjamin Cabango
49′ FOUL! Surprise surprise its Jack Grealish on the end of it. Ampadu cuts across him and knocks him to the floor. Why always Grealish?
53′ A STRIKERS FINISH! GOOOAAAAL
Kierian Trippier with a brilliant free-kick into the box and of all people Conner Coady coolly converts, maybe he is a striker after all
56′ YELLOW CARD! Third times the charm as Ampadu once again fouls Jack Grealish and is rewarded with a yellow card
The Three Lions make their first change
62′In fear of a red card Ampadu is replcaed by Will Vaulks
63′ ITS A THIRD FOR ENGLAND
Danny Ings pulls of a spectacular overhead kick after the ball is headed back in from an England corner. Brilliant goal
Ings is the second player tonight to score his first ever goal for England
69′ BRILLIANT SAVE
Saka finds himself in the box after a breakaway from Jack Grealish and Wayne Henessey makes a great save to deny England a second debut goal for tonight
72′ Mathew Smith is on for Jonathan William and Connor Roberts is replaced by Christ Gunter. Giggs could well be about to sub on the kitchen sink in a desperate attempt to get Wales going
An interesting stat for you
79′ Another long ball in behind for Wales, Roberts battles away with Coady and wins the ball only to cross the ball into the box with nobody awaiting it. Cant see Wales scoring in this one unless Bale throws away the crutches and limberes onto the pitch
Here’s a question for you, Who deserves England’s man of the match award?
83′ ANOTHER BRILLIANT SAVE!
Hennesey makes another great save after Maitland Niles run breaks down and Ings latches onto the bsll and fires a shot destined for thr top corner. England earn a corner
88′ Wales snatch a corner and play it short but the long lofted ball is collected comfortably by Nick Pope who will be happy to see the ball after a quiet night for him.
90+2′ SO CLOSE
England look for a fourth as Ward-Prowse lashes a ball at Wayne Hennessey but he saved just before Ings could pounce
90+2′ The referee blows for full time as England finally hand wales thier first loss in in nine matches
Full time England 3-0 Wales
What a night for some of England’s debutants, Wales should be disappointed but were simply outclassed on the night. That’s all from me, hope you enjoyed the game. Good night!
