England 3-0 Wales: Impressive Three Lions cruise past Wales in comfortable victory | OneFootball

England were victorious over Wales in a dominant 3-0 win at Wembley Stadium in Thursday evening’s friendly.

It was a ruthless performance from the hosts, with the lightning quick start from Thomas Tuchel’s side putting Wales out of sight just 20 minutes in. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the third minute with a smart finish to get his first England goal, with his club teammate Ollie Watkins joining him on the scoresheet just eight minutes later. The Wales defence was under threat all evening, and in the 20th minute, a beautiful finish from Bukayo Saka saw England get their third.

Craig Bellamy’s side’s attention will quickly turn to a big game on Monday evening, as they face Belgium in a World Cup qualifier. As for England, their place is all but sealed for next year’s major tournament, but they’ll be looking to continue their winning streak against Latvia on Tuesday evening.

As it happened

It was a special atmosphere for the game inside a noisy Wembley Stadium where this was no friendly in the eyes of either team. The stage was set for a fierce encounter, and England wasted no time getting started, as they struck the back of the net just the three minutes in. Marc Guéhi kept the ball in play from the corner before pulling it back to Rogers. A sweeping first-time finish from the Aston Villa man found the far corner, with Rogers grabbing his first England goal and opening the scoring. It was an electric start from the Three Lions.

England were making a statement of intent against their rivals, as Watkins got himself on the scoresheet only eight minutes later. It was poor defending yet again from the visitors, with Watkins having the easiest of finishes. Declan Rice’s dangerous pass across goal was attempted to be headed by Guéhi, who got a small glance, before it fell kindly to Watkins at the back-stick. The 29-year-old brought it under control before smashing home virtually on the goal line. It looked like Wales were going to be in for a long night.

England were running riot and this time it was a sensational strike from Saka; a trademark goal from the winger. The Arsenal man cut in on his left-foot to find the space, before curling one into the far top corner. It was a superb strike and things were starting to get embarrassing for Bellamy’s side, having conceded three in the space of 20 minutes.

England should have had four before the break and Watkins could have grabbed his second of the night. England continued to dominate and threat, with Elliot Anderson sending a teasing ball across goal. Awaiting at the back post was Watkins, who couldn’t find the desired connection to send it home. The England man collided with the post, but was able to continue after some treatment.

England were relentless, starting the second half brightly, and coming close to adding a fourth of the night. Saka laid it into the path of an unmarked Rogers, whose effort clipped off the crossbar, although the offside flag did eventually go up. Watkins was unable to continue after his first-half injury, with Marcus Rashford the man to replace him.

Wales created their first clear-cut opportunity just before the hour mark, with David Brooks’ first-time effort on the end of a cross saved down low by Jordan Pickford, with that being the first time the Everton goalkeeper was called into action. England controlled the second period, seeing out victory against their rivals, but it didn’t stop the travelling fans from enjoying themselves, with non-stop chanting in the second 45.

It ended in more disappointment for Wales against England – they’re now winless against the Three Lions since 1984, having not scored past them since Gareth Bale’s free kick in 2016. For the home side, it looks as if things are beginning to really click under Tuchel, giving fans hope ahead of next year’s World Cup campaign.

The lineups

ENG: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guéhi, Spence; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Watkins