England and Wales collide tonight, in a friendly game, under the arch of Wembley Stadium with what looks to be like an England side full of young, talented and in-form players. Both Gareth Southgate and Ryan Giggs have assured us that there is “no such things as a friendly” and that the fixture is “always a big game”. England come into this fixture with four wins out of the past five games against the Welsh.
With both teams preparing for their upcoming Nations League matches in a few days, it will be a good chance for certain new players to stand out for possible selection in future games. What do you recon will be the outcome? Oliver Jeffery will be taking you through the action as it happens.
Starting Lineups
Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Bukayo Saka make their debuts today for England. But lets have a look at both of the teams and how they match up.
Kick off
And we’re off…
5′ After a brisk start to the game, the first corner is taken by Jonny Williams after a deflection from a shot. It amounts to nothing but the first chance created by Wales.
11′ Dominic Calvert-Lewin makes a perfect run behind the Welsh defence and then receives a slotted pass from Danny Ings. He manages to take it around the keeper and tries to square it, but unfortunately for England there were no men in the box supporting him.
20′ So far, an uneasy start for England’s Left Wing back, Bukayo Saka, as he heads the ball wayward into the middle of the pitch. The ball lands to Kieffer Moore who is unlucky to miss just wide of the posts
26′ GOAL Dominic Calvert-Lewin After showing good quick feet on the right hand side of the pitch, Jack Grealish does well to cross the ball into Calvert-Lewin who wins a free chance in the air and finishes well with a strong hard header to give England the first goal. England 1-0 up after 25 minutes gone. What did you think of the goal?
35′ Despite England’s lead in the game, Wales are dominating play at the moment and have created several chances. Nick Pope manages to be doing well though to claim the attempted shots and crosses.
37′ After an accurate corner coming in from England, Michael Keane receives a cross and misses from inside the box. An unfortunate connection on the ball that could’ve possibly extended England’s lead so early on.
39′ Kieffer Moore picks up an ankle injury and is subbed off for Neco Williams.
42′ Conor Roberts is booked after his studs find there way accidentally to the top of Saka’s foot. Just a warning though as he receives the first card of the game, a rare site seen in supposed ‘Friendly’ matches.
45+2′ The end to the first half and it is England who are winning 1-0 against Wales at Wembley. Wales seem to be causing many opportunities as they put pressure upon the English defence but it is a debut delight for Calvert-Lewin as they lead at the break.
47′ Tyler Roberts wins the scraps off of Conor Coady as his shot just trickles left of the goal. A good start to the second half by Wales as they show good energy and tempo in the first few minutes.
52′ GOAL Conor Coady Ampadu fouls Grealish for the third time in the game and concedes a free kick. Kieran Trippier then whips the ball in and Conor Coady does well to score his first England goal in his second start. Coady shows good control to place it in the back of the net and the Welsh defence again not marking their men close enough. England 2-0 up and creating good clinical chances.
57′ Ampadu is booked for yet another foul on Grealish. Things getting a little heated between those two, Ampadu has to be careful not to get red carded with a lot of the game left to go.
61′ Dylan Levitt is booked as he slide tackles Harry Winks from behind. Levitt possibly lucky not to see any more than a yellow
62′ GOAL Danny Ings Tyrone Mings’ cushioning a header from a cross and does very well to set it up for Danny Ings who acrobatically attacks the ball to score an overhead kick to bag England their third. Ings doing extremely well to create space inside the box as he loses his markers to make it 3-0 to England.
69′ Hennessey makes a very impressive reflex save as Saka comes close to scoring his first debut goal as his shot takes a deflection. The Welsh keeper doing well to deny him though.
75′ England make three more substitutions to give other players a run around as Grealish, Saka and Winks come off. Grealish having had a wonder game as he always showed how much of a threat he can be as well as showing immense skill and consistent work rate.
81′ Harvey Barnes is awarded a free kick when he is fouled but then when it is delivered he concedes a foul in the welsh box.
83′ Danny Ings has a strike that challenges Wayne Hennessey as he pats it away and England have a corner. The corner is delivered and Tyrone Mings connects his body with it rather than his head as Wales gather possesion and clear their lines
85′ Nico Williams shields Ainsley Maitland-Niles after a fine burst of pace on the left wing. However, Maitland-Niles slips over in the box and Wales do well not to concede a fourth.
87′ Mepham collides with Ings and gets subbed off for the second Welsh injury of the game.
90+2′ The full time whistle is blown after England try to end with a flourish with one last long range shot from Ward-Prowse. It ends with England walking away with a 3-0 victory against Wales. A very good result for Gareth Southgate’s men as several new faces make an appearance in securing a decent home victory.
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