Match Summary

England Team

Mexico Team

With quite a few players unavailable for one reason or another, Fabio Capello went in to this last England match at Wembley, before the World Cup starts in just three weeks time, with a bit of a makeshift side.  As a result the performance was a little patchy, with some good moments and some not so good.  Overall though the 3-1 win gave the team a good send off for the battles that lie ahead.

Mexico were a useful side who worked hard and kept possession well, and in the first half particularly, the visitors were on top, possession wise.  Unfortunately for them though they conceded two goals from England's best two attacks.  England's midfield of Theo Walcott, Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard and James Milner never really gelled, not surprising really as this quartet had never played together before.  But more than that they allowed the Mexicans to come forward too easily and never shut down the lively visitors enough.  Having said that, Mexico didn't create much to trouble Robert Green in the England goal.  In fact it was England who took the lead after 17 minutes.  A needlessly conceded corner gave Gerrard the chance to send a cross to the far post for Peter Crouch to rise high and nod across goal to where an unmarked Ledley King was stood.  The Spurs defender cleverly flicked in a powerful header for his first goal for England since March 2004.  It was goal England barely deserved but showed their strength at set pieces and Mexico's weakness.

Mexico came back strongly and in one fine attack, which exposed some sluggishness amongst the England defenders, Giovanni dos Santos set up Carlos Vela who seemed certain to score.  But Green dived to his right to make a superb save and England held their lead.  Indeed, on 35 minutes they made it 2-0.  From another corner, Milner played it short to Gerrard who whipped in a cross that was met by Wayne Rooney's header.  Oscar Perez made a brilliantly acrobatic save to tip it on to the crossbar but as the ball dropped Crouch put his body in the way to bundle the ball home.  Crouch's scoring record for England has now reached unbelievable heights, let's hope he has saved a few for the next few weeks!

Mexico were not put off by the scoreline and continued to play neat inter-passing football, making the England players work hard.  Green made another good save but was lucky when another shot scraped the outside of his left-hand post.  Right on the half-time whistle Mexico were duly rewarded with a deserved goal, albeit a rather scrappy one.  Again the goal came from a corner and when Rafael Marquez headed goalwards all the players seemed to freeze.  Green was beaten but Leighton Baines managed to block the ball on the line.  However when it bounced out the limping Guillermo Franco forced home the rebound.  As the players trooped off at the break it was everything to play for. 

It's probably fair to say that manager Capello had a few choice words for his charges during the break, with 'step up the pace', 'shut the Mexicans down' and 'work harder' being the phrases that the players would hear.  After the restart it was soon obvious that England were in a more determined frame of mind.  And within two minutes of the half gone, and many of the crowd not even back in their seats, England scored the goal of the game.  Clever work by Walcott and Glen Johnson gave the full-back the chance to run at the Mexican defence.  As he cut inside he left several defenders in his wake before unleashing a magnificent left-foot shot into the far top corner.  It was his first for England and one he will remember long after this game is forgotten. 

The goal effectively killed off any chance of a Mexican fightback and with several second half substitutes eager to impress Capello had the chance to see a few other options.  Joe Hart took over from the impressive Green, Jamie Carragher came on for Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Defoe replaced Crouch.  Hart had a few simple saves, but still looked sharp and alert, whilst Carragher was his usual efficient self and Defoe showed good pace.  But through the half goal chances were few at either end and the nearest England came to another goal was when Gerrard's free-kick just went wide.  The good thing from Capello's viewpoint was England's increased control of the match.  Aaron Lennon had one brilliant run and debutant Adam Johnson showed a lively touch after his introduction.  With the Chelsea contingent all champing at the bit the manager will not be short of options.

Source Notes

BBC Sport
TheFA.com
ITV.com/football
FeMexFut.org.mx
Mediotempo.com
JFA website
RateTheRef
Mike Payne - football historian and contributor
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CG