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As it happenedended

England vs Nigeria - World Cup 2018 warm-up: as it happened

England 2-1 Nigeria: Reaction from the World Cup warm-up at Wembley

Saturday 02 June 2018 14:49 EDT
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England v Nigeria: International friendly preview

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England’s World Cup 2018 campaign starts here, when Nigeria, clad in their dazzling new kit which sold out within minutes of its release on Friday, arrive at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate has insisted the team he names will not necessarily be the one that starts the World Cup against Tunisia on 18th June but there are places still up for grabs.

Jordan Pickford starts between the sticks with Jesse Lingard part of an attacking midfield that also includes Raheem Sterling after a controversial and headline-grabbing week.

We will have all the action right here:


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What time is kick-off?

The game will kick off at Wembley at 5.15pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown on ITV, with coverage starting at 5.00pm BST.

Odds?

England: 2/5

Nigeria: 19/2

Odds: 62/17

53 mins: It never rains, it pours.

England, who are clearly a bit rattled by Nigeria's improved performance after the break, go forward and Raheem Sterling - who else - goes down under the challenge of the keeper.

The referee is having none of it though and shows the City man a yellow for diving.

A closer look at the replay show it's the right decision too. Oh dear.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:29

58 mins: Nigeria are certainly feeling themselves a lot more in this second period.

They look so much more confident and are pressing England so much higher and getting their rewards.

The change of shape really has made a difference and they are presenting the hosts with problems, something they didn't do almost at all in the first half.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:33

Here's a look at Iwobi's finish and a sharp finish it was.

It has given us a game here at Wembley, make no mistake, something we didn't get before the interval.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:35

65 mins: England are yet to make any subs, which I'm all for, while Nigeria have another new face, former Leicester flyer Ahmed Musa on now.

Southgate clearly wants to get a good look at this eleven which really does suggest this is how they will line up in Volgograd in just over a fortnight.

For me, Clive, I'd have Henderson back in somewhere, perhaps for Alli, but we'll see.

And right on cue, here come the subs. Rose on for Young, Loftus-Cheek for Lingard.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:42

69 mins: The shape appears the same for England, despite the changes, with Loftus-Cheek slotting in one of the three midfield spots.

Chelsea cult hero Mikel has a crack from range but he'll need to do better to score from there. Pickford picks up cleanly on the bounce.

Nigeria are certainly emboldened and looking far better after the break.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:46

73 mins: More subs now, with Welbeck and Rashford set to enter the fray.

Captain Kane is off - he can be happy enough with his day - and Sterling joins him in taking an early breather.

Let's see if they stay with the 3-5-2 or move more 4-3-3 to give Nigeria a different problem to solve.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:49

76 mins: As with so many international friendlies this one is getting a little disjointed now with the flurry of subs breaking up the play somewhat.

Kelechi Iheanacho, of Leicester fame, is on now for Nigeria.

Can he find an equaliser? He's certainly sharp enough given the chance.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:53

80 mins: Ten minutes remaining here and it's all gone a bit flat.

That's understandable I suppose given the raft of changes over the last 15 minutes or so.

Rashford snatches a glimmer of a chance but he pulls it and it bobbles harmlessly wide.

Delph is the next man to hear his name called. He's on for Alli.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 18:57

85 mins: This one is petering out a tad now with neither side really pushing with the intensity they once were.

Southgate will be pleased, you feel. His side, a side which feels like his first choice, blew Nigeria away in the first period and showed a fluidity of movement and a speed of thought rarely seen from the Three Lions.

He will of course be disappointed with the goal they conceded but there is always room for improvement regardless.

A solid evening at the office, barring any late dramas, of course.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 19:01

89 mins: Gary Cahill gets Glenn Hoddle's man of the match and as much as I usually like arguing with Glenn Hoddle, I won't this time.

The Chelsea man has been excellent today and although not tested too much in the first half has performed excellently in the second and has shown the experience that Southgate clearly values.

He scored the opener too which can't hurt his cause.

Ben Burrows2 June 2018 19:05

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