Wayne Rooney made his final appearance for England on Thursday evening as the Three Lions swept aside the United States 3-0 at Wembley Stadium.
Gareth Southgate’s men put in a confident showing on what was a poignant evening for the former Manchester United and Everton star as he finally said goodbye to the national team. They opened the scoring with a stunning goal from Jesse Lingard, before Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled the lead with a fantastic second. The win was all-but wrapped up in the second-half as Callum Wilson notched his first England goal with a close-range finish.
Fast England start
England started on the front foot in the capital, with Ben Chilwell immediately causing problems for the USA. His corner managed to find debutant Wilson, only for the Bournemouth forward to put a weak header wide.
He then went close again only minutes later as Lingard profited from a Brad Guzan mistake. He put a teasing cross into Wilson but the latter scuffed his effort wife of goal with the thoughts of a debut goal glinting in his eye.
The 26-year-old continued his excellent start to the game as he was slipped in down the right and taken down by Guzan. Despite calls for a penalty, the referee was uninterested.
Quickfire strikes put Three Lions in control
The Three Lions were getting ever closer throughout the opening quarter of an hour as Lingard smashed an effort straight at the American stopper. It took some time for the USA to create an opportunity to create an opportunity, but when they did, they should have scored. Christian Pulisic did excellently to dribble around numerous challenges but could only put his low shot straight at Jordan Pickford.
That chance came back to bite Dave Sarachan’s men as Lingard seized the lead for the hosts. The Manchester United man found space on the edge of the box and curled a sumptuous effort into the top corner.
England’s advantage was extended even further only minutes later. Jadon Sancho picked the ball up and played through Alexander-Arnold. Bearing down on goal, the Liverpool full-back drove the ball straight through Guzan, as it thundered into the back of the net.
Rooney on for final appearance
The moment most fans were waiting for at Wembley Stadium duly arrived in the 57th minute as Rooney was drafted on in in place of Dele Alli. The DC United man justifiably received a warm reception as he entered the pitch.
With one stalwart closing his England career, another just starting his journey with the Three Lions was still searching for a goal. Alexander-Arnold whipped another dangerous ball into the box but Wilson could only prod wide.
He was clinical with his next chance however. Delph this time teased in an excellent ball towards the striker. Just has he has done for Bournemouth throughout the season, Wilson got beyond his defender to poke the ball beyond Guzan and finally get his first goal in a Three Lions shirt to wrap up a memorable evening for England, and of course Rooney.
Final Thoughts
Despite Rooney not managing to find the net on his final England appearance, it pretty much was a perfect night for the Three Lions against the USA. There was a clear gap in quality between the two sides, with the hosts enjoying the large majority of the ball.
All three goals were of exquisite quality, and the visitors failed to have much of an impact. England will go into their crunch UEFA Nations League clash with Croatia on Sunday in a confident mood.
Match Report
England: Pickford (7) (McCarthy (6), 45′); Chilwell (7) (Henderson (6), 58′), Dunk (6), Keane (6), Alexander-Arnold (8); Winks (6) (Loftus-Cheek (6), 70′), Delph (6); Lingard (7) (Rooney (6), 58′), Alli (6) (Dier (6), 58′), Sancho (7); Wilson (7) (Rashford (N/A), 79′)
USA: Guzan (6); Villafana (6) (Moore (N/A), 88′), Miazga (7), Brooks (6), Yedlin (6); McKennie (6) (Lletget (N/A), 76′), Trapp (6) (Acosta (6), 70′), Pulisic (6); Green (6) (Adams (6), 62′), Weah (7) (Saief (N/A), 76′), Wood (6).
Goals: Lingard (25′), Alexander-Arnold (27′), Wilson (77′)
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
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