Written by Tommy Mortimer, sub-edited by Cameron Clark
England take on Wales in a warm-up game at Wembley this evening ahead of Nations League commitments which begin on Sunday for both sides. This friendly marks the first time the teams have met since Daniel Sturridge netted a dramatic late winner for the Three Lions in Lens at Euro 2016. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Bukayo Saka and Harvey Barnes will all be looking to make an impact after being handed their first senior call-ups by Gareth Southgate.
STARTING LINEUPS
KICK-OFF
We’re underway at Wembley – for the first time this year.
3 mins: Tyler Roberts has a pop at goal from just outside the area which deflects behind for a corner. Joe Gomez clears from Jonny Williams’ resulting delivery.
6 mins: England earn a corner of their own with Michael Keane getting just underneath the delivery, failing to get any real contact on the ball.
10 mins: Fairly quiet start to proceedings here. Both teams just feeling each other out.
12 mins: The in-form Calvert-Lewin makes a superb run in behind the Wales defence, gets round the keeper and cuts the ball back to no avail. If he had someone to pick out, the Three Lions might have taken the lead there.
17 mins: Wales have had the lions share of possession so far, though they’ve done little in the way of turning that possession into chances.
19 mins: T. Roberts wins a free-kick for Wales in a dangerous area after being clipped by his Leeds teammate Kalvin Phillips. Ben Davies decides to cross which comes to nothing but Kieffer Moore volleys just wide for the away side moments later. Best chance of the game so far.
GOAL! ENGLAND 1-0 WALES (CALVERT-LEWIN 25)
This man just can’t stop scoring. Calvert-Lewin nods home a wonderful cross from Jack Grealish from the right-hand side to claim a debut goal at international level. The joint Premier League top scorer was not going to miss from there.
Embed from Getty Images29 mins: Moore gets in behind the England defence following a raking long-ball. Nick Pope was quick off his line to smother him well.
36 mins: Saka gets forward down that left hand side for the first time tonight. His cross is deflected behind for a corner which results in Conor Coady trying his luck on the half-volley from close range but sees his effort fly over the bar.
39 mins: An early change for Wales here as Liverpool’s Neco Williams replaces the injured Moore. This will presumably lead to a change in shape for Ryan Giggs’ side.
41 mins: Connor Roberts receives a yellow card after stamping on Saka’s foot. Looks a sore one for the Arsenal youngster. You don’t usually see too many cards in these international friendlies which tells you just how naughty the challenge was.
HALF-TIME
England 1-0 Wales
England find themselves one goal to the good at the interval. They’ve been far from dominant but took their big chance well courtesy of you guessed it – Calvert-Lewin. Shout-out to Grealish as well who clipped in a tremendous ball right into the danger zone for the Everton striker. One full England debutant assisting another. You love to see it.
SECOND-HALF BEGINS
We’re back underway here under the Wembley lights.
45 mins: A couple of changes at the break for Wales with Ben Cabango and Dylan Levitt replacing Joe Rodon and Joseff Morrell.
48 mins: T. Roberts sees an effort from just outside the box sail wide after showing good strength to take the ball down under pressure from an England defender.
GOAL! ENGLAND 2-0 WALES (COADY 52)
Coady thunders home a half-volley into the roof of the net on his first England start, getting on the end of a wonderful delivery from tonight’s captain Kieran Trippier. The Wolves defender could be on a hat-trick right now had he taken his chance in the first half.
Embed from Getty Images56 mins: Grealish is fouled for what feels like the 567th time this game…
57 mins: A few changes for the home side just before the hour mark. Calvert-Lewin, Trippier and Gomez make way for Mason Mount, Reece James and Tyrone Mings.
60 mins: Levitt goes into the referees book following a cynical foul on Harry Winks.
61 mins: Another change for Wales as Ethan Ampadu makes way for Will Vaulks.
GOAL! ENGLAND 3-0 WALES (INGS 62)
What a goal that is. Danny Ings fires home an overhead kick from close range after Mings found him with a cushioned header. England appear to be cruising now.
Embed from Getty Images65 mins: Grealish sends in a teasing ball across the face of goal but no one was on hand to tap home.
69 mins: Big chance for Saka. His shot from inside the area forces a good save from Wayne Hennessy after taking a slight deflection off Chris Mepham.
72 mins: Chris Gunter and Matt Smith replace J. Williams and C. Roberts for the away side.
74 mins: A trio of changes for England as Ainsley Maitland-Niles, James Ward-Prowse and debutant Barnes all come on for Saka, Winks and Grealish. Big moment for the Leicester wide man.
79 mins: England enjoying all the possession now. Looks like Wales have accepted defeat.
80 mins: First piece of action for Barnes as he draws a foul from Mepham following a neat turn on the Bournemouth defender. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing.
82 mins: Ings draws a fine save from Hennessy after finding space in the box to get a decent shot away.
85 mins: Maitland-Niles navigates his way into a promising position for the second time in quick succession but loses his footing under pressure from N. Williams.
90 mins: 2 minutes of added time.
90+2 mins: Ward-Prowse strikes from distance but his effort is palmed away by Hennessy. That appears to be the final piece of action in this contest.
FULL-TIME
England 3-0 Wales
Calvert-Lewin, Coady and Ings were all on target for England as the Three Lions cruised to victory against Wales. Both sides were missing several key players tonight but it turned out to be an entertaining night overall at Wembley. Comfortable for the most part, tonight provided ideal preparation for Southgate’s side who face Belgium and Denmark in the Nations League on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.
Embed from Getty Images
