This was published 2 years ago
You get the sense that the Socceroos will take a lot from their first appearance at Wembley.
They weren’t overawed by a loud 80,000 crowd, the technically superior opposition or even going down by a goal. They kept competing hard until the final whistle.
However, as always in sport, it’s the hope that can kill you. There were chances there for Australia that could have gone into the net.
Thank you for your company this morning, it’s been fun. We will look forward to taking on New Zealand.
A very hoarse Graham Arnold speaks to the press:
“I was happy with the way we played, we created chances, we did very well, and against a top team like England, it’s disappointing to lose.”
Some lemon tea with honey needed urgently.
Socceroos go down in Wembley to England 1-0.
There has been a lot to be proud of tonight for Australia. They have faced a team filled with Premier League superstars and easily could have had a goal or two with more conviction.
They will look forward to taking on New Zealand on Tuesday night at Brentford FC’s GTech stadium in west London.
Awer Mabil and Aziz Behich are on to give the Socceroos more substitutions.
Mabil already is looking lively and making his presence felt with the ball at his feet. He loves taking on defenders. His corner leads to a solid strike from Connor Metcalfe.
The Socceroos are refusing to give in here.
This is positive stuff from Graham Arnold’s men against a star-studded England team.
A brilliant header from St Pauli’s Connor Metcalfe who rose beautifully from a corner to show that Australia are not going down without a fight.
There is still time left in the game and we have ten minutes left.
The pace has slowed from the frenetic first half for both teams.
Socceroos get badly needed fresh legs onto the sodden Wembley turf that will be burning lactic acid into the Socceroos who have run themselves into the ground so far.
A debut for Hibernian’s Lewis Miller, Brandon Borrello and Jordan Bos in.
England have put on Manchester City star Phil Foden for Maddison and goalscorer Ollie Watkin’s comes off for Eddie Nketiah to make his international debut and there are small gaps opening in the previously tight Socceroos’ defence.
That’s all of England’s subs. Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham will be kept on ice.
Graham Arnold knows that he needs to do something to change the momentum in this game, so we can expect changes soon.
Rashford is immediately making his presence and pace felt, taking the frustrations of his Premier League season out on the Socceroos.
It’s not going to be like 2003 when England coach Sven Goran Eriksson put on 11 substitutes at half time, but England still make changes.
Marcus Rashford, Kieran Trippier, Kalvin Phillips and John Stones are all on.
Not a bad bench to bring on.
Rashford in particular will be desperate to impress after a challenging season at Manchester United so far.
Ollie Watkins scores after finishing off a glanced Jack Grealish shot.
The Socceroos’ defence is finally broken.