ENGLAND saw off Romania at the Riverside Stadium thanks to Marcus Rashford’s second half penalty.
It was an underwhelming display from the Three Lions, with Jordan Henderson missing another spot-kick late on.
- Final score: England 1-0 Romania
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THAT’S ALL FOR NOW!
England head to the Euros with two 1-0 friendly wins under their belts.
The Three Lions weren’t particularly convincing in either game and there’s plenty to ponder for Gareth Southgate ahead of Sunday’s clash with World Cup finalists Croatia.
Is football coming home? We’ll soon find out!
.Credit: AP SOUTHGATE’S VERDICT
England boss Gareth Southgate has given his thoughts on the 1-0 win to ITV Sport.
He said: “We had chances to make it more comfortable. First half we didn’t work hard enough without the ball. We were too stretched.
“After half-time we improved, and it was helpful when we went to 4-3-3 later.
“It was a good exercise. We learned a lot. Good to win, a lot to get better at.
“He [Jack Grealish] had an important contribution to win the penalty and he’s in the frame with a lot of others. We’ve got a lot of competition in those areas of the field.”
. HAVE YOUR SAY
Not the most convincing win, but a win for England nonetheless. With just a week to until their first game of Euro 2020 against Croatia, how do you rate their chances in the tournament?
RASH REACTION
Marcus Rashford was a happy man after scoring the winning goal on the same evening he captained his country. He also praised Jack Grealish’s display.
He told ITV: “It’s a great moment for me. It’s something you dream of doing when you’re a kid.
“The game was a difficult one. We had to work hard and stick together. It was challenging.
“We created a lot of chances, we were good from set-plays, both attacking and defensively.
“He [Grealish] is a great player. He’ll grow and grow in an England shirt. We know what he can do. it’s just about allowing him to reach that potential. We’ll win more games with him in the team.
“We have to have that self-belief and self-confidence. But we have to improve if we’re to win the tournament.”
.Credit: AP FT: ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
Not really the performance England wanted from their final friendly ahead of the Euros, but there’s no way that will be Gareth Southgate’s starting XI next weekend.
Jack Grealish surely has to be in from the off against Croatia after a dazzling display here. The Aston Villa man caused the Romania defence all sorts of problems and won the penalty which Marcus Rashford converted for the winner.
Jordan Henderson made his return from injury but missed a spot-kick of his own as England unconvincingly secured the win.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
90. Ben White leaves a cross and Johnstone has to palm it away. Nervy moments for England.
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
86. Watkins stabs wide at the far post as Godfrey flicks on a corner. At the other end, Ivan nearly connects with a swirling delivery from Budescu. Johnstone has been solid on his England debut.
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
82. How has that not gone in? Watkins clips a cross to the far post. It’s met by Bellingham but his header from two yards out hits the leg of Chiriches and lands on the roof of the net.
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
80. Henderson tees up Calvert-Lewin but his driven effort is saved by the legs of Nita. That’s the Everton striker’s final involvement as he makes way for Ollie Watkins.
SAVED!
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
79. Henderson’s spot-kick isn’t the best and it’s palmed away by Nita, diving to his right.
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
78. Chiriches catches Calvert-Lewin with a high boot and the referee points to the spot. With Rashford off, Henderson will take it…
PENALTY TO ENGLAND!
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
75. More changes for England as Shaw and Rashford trot off for Kieran Trippier and and Jesse Lingard.
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
74. What a save by Johnstone to deny Ivan. The Romania player was only a few yards out but Johnstone flung himself to his right to keep the shot out. Brilliant.
HAVE YOUR SAY
England are ahead as Marcus Rashford converts the penalty won by Jack Grealish, but did the ref make the right call?
ENGLAND 1-0 ROMANIA
68. Rashford takes a short run-up but slots home to the keeper’s left. Finally we have a goal.
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL ENGLAND!
ENGLAND 0-0 ROMANIA
66. Grealish goes down under a challenge from Capusa who had only been on the pitch for mere seconds. Rashford will take the spot-kick…
PENALTY TO ENGLAND!
ENGLAND 0-0 ROMANIA
65. Double change for England as Ward-Prowse and Sancho are replaced by Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. It means a change of formation to 4-3-3 for England as Rashford moves over to the right and Grealish to the left.
ENGLAND 0-0 ROMANIA
62. Better from England as Rashford runs from the halfway line but sends his shot wide.
ENGLAND 0-0 ROMANIA
61. Good to see this man back in an England shirt, but question marks will remain over his match fitness.
.Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd HAVE YOUR SAY
All square with an hour on the clock and it’s surely only a matter of time before Gareth Southgate looks to his bench for inspiration…
ENGLAND 0-0 ROMANIA
59. Ward-Prowse takes it but sends it into the arms of Nita.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
