England vs Australia LIVE: Result and reaction as Ollie Watkins’ goal secures Three Lions victory
The Three Lions kick off their October matches with a friendly against the Socceroos at Wembley
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Your support makes all the difference.England edged past Australia in an international friendly at Wembley to keep their recent winning run alive and give them a touch of momentum heading into a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy next week.
After Gareth Southgate named an inexperienced starting XI to take on the Socceroos, the Three Lions took their time to settle. The controlled possession but failed to make much of an impact in the first half with Ollie Watkins - leading the line in the absence of Harry Kane - missing two great chances.
At the other end of the pitch, Australia should have gone ahead through Ryan Strain whose shto from the right side of the box was beautifully kept out by a back-tracking Lewis Dunk.
After the break things were different. England upped the tempo and operated higher up the pitch. Trent Alexander-Arnold found Jack Grealish in the box and the Man City man picked out Watkins at the far post who tapped in the winner.
Relive the action from Wembley and get all the latest odds and tips for the match right here:
England 1-0 Australia
87 mins: A looping corner ball is sent into the penalty area by Australia and it’s won in the air but a gold shirt. The ball is nodded towards goal but Sam Johnstone drops to his right and palms the ball away before Phil Foden runs it clear.
England 1-0 Australia
84 mins: Australia make a double change with Awer Mabil and Aziz Behich on for Kye Rowles and Martin Boyle.
England 1-0 Australia
81 mins: Martin Boyle curls a corner ball into the middle of the box and finds Connor Metcalfe. He gets a free header but misses the target and the chance goes begging for Australia to equalise.
England 1-0 Australia
78 mins: Jackson Irvine isn’t happy that England are awarded a throw in and gives the referee a few verbals. She pulls out a yellow card and books the Australian midfielder for dissent.
England 1-0 Australia
75 mins: More changes from Gareth Southgate. Phil Foden replaces James Maddison and Ollie Watkins heads off to be replaced with Eddie Nketiah who makes his England debut.
England 1-0 Australia
72 mins: Close! Kalvin Phillips moves the ball out wide to Kieran Trippier who slips it forward for Jarrod Bowen. Bowen then hooks a cross into the middle of the box where James Maddison sticks out his right leg.
He tries to turn the ball towards goal but misses it and Australia work the ball clear.
England 1-0 Australia
69 mins: Craig Goodwin pulls the ball into the middle of the pitch as Australia stride forward. He sends it to Keanu Baccus who fizzes a shot at goal from range and pulls it wide of the far post.
England 1-0 Australia
66 mins: James Maddison’s corner drops to Ollie Watkins who shoots and sees the effort deflected. Trent Alexander-Arnold recovers the ball, nips into the box and shoots himself but his shot is also blocked and bounces out of play.
England 1-0 Australia
63 mins: England’s four substitutes have more international caps than the total amount from the starting XI. Gareth Southgate is bringing on the experience to try and close out this match.
Marcus Rashford takes on Ryan Strain with his first real involvement in the game and wins England a corner.
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