BEVERLY HILLS, October 09, (THEWILL) – England beat Wales 3-0 in their international friendly at the Wembley. Red-hot Everton centre forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored on his debut, in continuation of his sizzling league form, to set the ball rolling with a strong header. In the second half, were another pair of first time scorers for England. Conor Coady and Danny Ings scored their first international goals to take the English tally to three.
Though the Ryan Giggs-coached Wales side had a bright start, they soon faded and failed to truly test the opposition keeper throughout the game. So, Burnley’s Nick Pope, in goal for the Three Lions, had a quiet game.
There were so many first starts as Gareth Southgate switched things up ahead of two Nation League games. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was making his debut as well. With Jack Grealish, who was impressive throughout, and Ings handed their first starts on either flank, Southgate stuck to his formation with three men at the back.
Keiran Trippier, handed the captain armband for the first time in his international career tonight was responsible for most of the dangerous crosses the team benefited from. There could have been more goals. Saka was denied his first international goal by Wales’ keeper Wayne Hennessey, who also saved from Ings and from James Ward-Prowse late on.
Gareth Southgate’s men who are now on a string of six unbeaten games without conceding will take on Belgium in their UEFA Nations League A, Group 2 clash billed for Sunday at Wembley. He will have some team selection choices to make before then. Grealish made a strong case for inclusion as an England regular while the pair of newcomers Saka and Calver-Lewin settled quickly into the game.
Ryan Gigg’s men, on the other hand, travel to the Republic of Ireland for a match in the same competition and on the same day. They are in Group 4 of the UEFA Nations League B.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
