ENGLAND brought down the curtain on their unsuccessful UEFA Nations League campaign with a glossy 4-0 win over Iceland at Wembley.
Phil Foden scored twice while Declan Rice and Mason Mount nabbed one each on a night where Gareth Southgate’s younger players proved their worth to the Three Lions.
- Score: England 4-0 Iceland
- England XI: Pickford, Walker, Trippier, Dier, Maguire, Mount, Rice, Foden, Saka, Grealish, Kane
- Iceland XI: Kristinsson, Saevarsson, Ingasson, Arnason, Hermannsson, Sigurjonsson, Bjarnason, Skulason, Palsson, Gudmundsson, Boedvarsson
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GOODNIGHT FROM WEMBLEY
It’s far too late for these youngsters to be up on a school night anyway!
On a memorable evening at Wembley, England’s youthful lions hit Iceland for four to end their Nations League campaign on a high.
Each goal was scored by players 21 years of age or younger, and featured first international strikes for both Declan Rice and Phil Foden.
The Manchester City man, in particular, was magnificent, laying on England’s opener for Rice before bagging two for himself late on.
In between, Mason Mount, who revelled in a forward role, showed composure beyond his years to net while Jack Grealish again proved himself adept on the international stage.
Admittedly, Iceland were poor, understrength and weakened by the 54th minute sending-off of Birkier Saevarsson, but nevertheless, England impressed as they signed off on a challenging year with a comprehensive win.
The victory brings the end of this extended international break, but we’ll be back with more football when the Premier League returns on Saturday.
Until then, thanks for reading and goodbye.
100 UP FOR SOUTHGATE
England’s fourth goal this evening – thumped in by Phil Foden – was the 100th scored by the national team under Gareth Southgate’s leadership. The first came in October 2016 with Southgate as caretaker boss, and was scored by Daniel Sturridge against Malta.
SOUTHGATE SPEAKS
England manager Gareth Southgate has been talking post-match, and hit back at those who had labelled this game irrelevant.
“For the last three days, the mentality has been outstanding.
“All the players were hearing was this game was meaningless and there was nothing to play for.
“But whenever you play for England, there’s something to play for.
“There were big opportunities for young players especially – but also for some older players.
“We’re trying to build and improve all the time. There was some lovely football, it was good to watch and for the young ones to get the goals was very special for them.”
PHIL YOUR BOOTS
England’s main man has tweeted his delight after a memorable evening at Wembley.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Hot off the press, Charlie Wyett has filed his match report of England’s 4-0 victory over Iceland at Wembley.
A CAPTAIN’S TWEET
He may not have scored, but Harry Kane is once again leading by example on and off the pitch.
I DON’T LIKE WEDNESDAYS
While Bob Geldof hates Mondays, for Harry Kane it’s Wednesdays. The England captain still hasn’t scored on that day of the week for his county.
RATINGS GAME
Discover which youngsters shone brightest by reading Tom Barclay’s England player ratings from Wembley.
FODEN’S THOUGHTS
The Manchester City youngster has been speaking to Sky Sports after his two-goal performance for his country tonight.
“To score my first goals for England, it means a lot to me.
“I just couldn’t stop smiling after it. It’s an unbelievable feeling and I’m going to enjoy it as much as I can tonight.
“I know Jadon [Sancho] well from playing with him in the youth team. When he got the ball, I arrived in the box and he gave me a good assist. Luckily it went in.
“When you score, confidence is high and I took the second goal well.
“It’s something I need to work on, scoring goals from outside the box, so I’m really happy with that one.”
FODEN SO GOOD
Here’s the breakdown of an excellent night’s work from Phil Foden.
FODEN FINDS THE NET
Phil Foden sweeps home his first international goal, and then went on to score his second less than four minutes later.
BIG FUTURE FOR PHIL
Manchester City’s Phil Foden bagged his first international goals to cap an impressive evening, and will now be anticipating more playing time for club and country in the months to come.
FT: ENGLAND 4-0 ICELAND
England’s youngsters excel at Wembley with two goals in each half. Declan Rice’s header and Mason Mount’s strike are followed up by Phil Foden’s late double; his first goals for his country.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE IS BLOWN!
ENGLAND 4-0 ICELAND
90. As Foden shows off his skills on the touchline, three minutes of added time are signalled.
ENGLAND 4-0 ICELAND
89. England are pushing for a fifth, and should have it.
Unmarked at the far post, Saka heads wide.
The Arsenal teenager looked as surprised as anyone to find himself in that position.
ENGLAND 4-0 ICELAND
88. On a night where youth has excelled, Iceland throw on the 17-year-old son of former Aston Villa headcase Joey Gudjonsson.
Isak BVergmann Johannesson replaces Birker Bjarnason.
84. What a couple of minutes for the Man City youngster! What a night!
Harry Maguire wins back possession after Iceland fail to fully clear their lines, and then Harry Winks slips the ball to Phil Foden.
There’s still much for the 20-year-old but he digs out a lovely left-footed shot from outside the box that swerves away from Hannes Thor Halldorsson and into the bottom corner.
Brilliant!
ENGLAND 4-0 Iceland
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLL!!
PHIL FODEN BAGS ANOTHER!!
ENGLAND 3-0 ICELAND
83. Phil Foden deserves that goal for his performance tonight…
80. Having set up Declan Rice for a first England goal, Phil Foden now has his first for his country!
Just off the bench, Jadon Sancho tricks his way down the left, plays a smart one-two with Bukayo Saka, and delivers a low cross to Foden.
Head down over the ball, the Man City forward keeps his cool to sweep a lovely left-footed shot into the far corner beyond Hannes Thor Halldorsson.
A really well-worked goal.
ENGLAND 3-0 Iceland
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!
PHIL FODEN MAKES IT THREE!!
ENGLAND 2-0 ICELAND
76. The last act of Harry Kane’s night is to crash a free-kick into the Iceland defensive wall and cry for a penalty that is not forthcoming.
The Tottenham striker makes way for Tammy Abraham after another busy night for his country. I wonder what his club manager will make of these 76 minutes.
Also on is Jadon Sancho for Jack Grealish.
ENGLAND 2-0 ICELAND
73. Iceland make two more substitutions.
Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson are on for strikers Albert Gudmundsson and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson..
In the meantime, Jack Grealish has been fouled.
ENGLAND 2-0 ICELAND
72. At least referee Fabio Verissimo is keeping us on our toes.
The Portugues official can’t wait to whip his yellow card out again after Arnason boots over Grealish.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
