Match Summary

England Team

Australia Team

After just two minutes of this match it was almost a disaster for Fraser Forster in the England goal.  His clearance was charged down by an Australian forward and the ball could easily have ended up in the back of the net.  Luckily for the keeper the ball fell kindly for him to pick it up.  Then, ironically, from Forster's eventual clearance, England scored.

Raheem Sterling received possession on the left from 18-year-old debutant Marcus Rashford, and his centre flipped up off the back of Bailey Wright and dropped invitingly for the new boy to lash the ball past Matthew Ryan, in goal for the Aussies.  Rashford unbelievable last few months took yet another remarkable turn as he became the youngest England player to score on his debut.  The lively start continued and two minutes later Ryan Bertrand made a terrific block to deny Robbie Kruse an equaliser.  England then struggled to clear the corner and it had been a mixed up, nervous sort of start to the match.
  
On seven minutes Kruse shot over after more good play by Australia and England were taking a while to settle into the match.  On 14 minutes though a swift breakaway gave them a chance of a second goal.  Sterling was sent away with a long pass and his pass found Rashford again.  This time though the Manchester United youngster's control let him down and the ball ran through for a goal-kick.  Australia looked a strong and accomplished side, well-organised and very determined in what was a big match for them.  Tomas Rogic shot wide after a swift break and at the back Australia's defenders had recovered from their difficult start.  Bertrand made another good interception as Australia threatened again and the visitors were certainly seeing plenty of the ball.  Having said all that, despite their large chunks of possession Australia rarely threatened Forster's goal.

Just on the half hour mark some clever passing saw Rashford set up Lallana but the keeper was quickly down to make the save.  Two England corners in quick succession were cleared but then Bertrand did well to set up Jordan Henderson from another corner and the Liverpool player's excellent effort brought the best out of Ryan as he managed to tip the shot over the bar.  In the last five minutes of the half there were signs that England were gaining momentum and they ended the half on top.

After the break Roy Hodgson brought on Wayne Rooney and played him as an out and out centre-forward.  The skipper was soon scampering on to a long ball over the top, but this time his control let him down.  England made a bright start to the half and put pressure on the Australian back line, but with Preston North End's Wright having a very steady game, the defence coped well.  Then, at the other end, Kruse was caught just offside as he threatened to break clear of the England defenders.  Aaron Mooy was doing some excellent work for the Australians in midfield, and in one attack Rogic again shot over from a good position.  But a minute later, a fine break by England gave them a second goal.

Ten minutes of the second half had elapsed when from deep inside their own half the ball was cleared towards Rashford.  His clever dummy allowed the ball to run through to Sterling who sprinted away down the left.  The winger looked up and spotted the unmarked Rooney in the inside-right position.  The pass was perfect, Rooney's first touch was perfect, and the finishing shot gave Ryan no chance as it flew into the right hand top corner.  It was a very well taken goal for Rooney's 52nd [ed: 51st] international strike, and his first after coming on as a substitute.

Two minutes later and Sterling was sprinting clear down the left again but this time he ran the ball out under challenge from a defender.  At the back for England the welcome sight of John Stones looking much more assured after his recent stuttering form  was very good news for Hodgson.  Stones played well alongside the ever-reliable Chris Smalling, and Nathaniel Clyne, too, was in fine form at right-back.  On the hour England so nearly scored again as a good move ended with Rashford driving the ball across goal.  Unfortunately Rooney couldn't quite make the decisive touch as he was challenged by a defender.  That was almost Rashford's last contribution as he left the field to a huge round of applause to be replaced by Ross Barkley.

A number of substitutions, by both sides, were carried out by the managers but chances continued to fall at both ends.  Rooney pulled the ball back and eventually Clyne hit a screamer just over the crossbar, whilst at the other end substitute Christopher Ikonomidis headed wide.  That was Australia's problem as, although their approach play was good, their finishing was poor.  Forster hardly had a save to make, but then on 75 minutes, came a lifeline for the Australians.  After a good England attack, some intricate close passing gave James Milner a chance but his low shot just curled wide.  Immediately, Hodgson replaced Smalling with Eric Dier and with his first touch the Tottenham defender opened up the game.  Mooy fed Milas Degenek out wide on the right, and he put in a tantalising cross.  Instead of using his feet Dier decided to stoop low to head the ball clear.  Unfortunately he actually only succeeded in glancing a header past his own goalkeeper.  It was a 'fine' goal, but at the wrong end!

Australia sensed a chance to gain an unlikely draw, but to be fair to England, and to Dier, they quickly regained their composure and they saw the game out quite comfortably.  In fact, it was England who looked the more likely to score.  A lively cameo by substitute Andros Townsend set up a couple of chances and Rooney was almost in for another goal.  A late debut for substitute Tom Heaton in goal for England just managed to give him a short feel of international football, but he was untroubled in those remaining minutes and England won the match with no further alarms.

It was a good game though, and all credit to a spirited Australia team, but now England move on to their final warm-up match before the real action starts for them on June 11th in Marseille.
   

Source Notes