England vs. Australia: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Friendly
Marcus Rashford scored after three minutes on his international debut, as England beat Australia 2-1 in a friendly match at the Stadium of Light on Friday.
At 18 years old, Rashford became his country's youngest debutant to score in his first senior Three Lions match.
Further goals from second-half sub Wayne Rooney and an own goal by Eric Dier completed the scoreline in a subdued affair ahead of the European Championships.
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Roy Hodgson initially set up in a 4-3-3, as Rashford led the line, with Rooney on the bench. Chris Smalling wore the captain's armband for the night, as he partnered with John Stones in central defence.
Danny Drinkwater and Jordan Henderson came into the midfield alongside Jack Wilshere, as Adam Lallana joined Raheem Sterling and Rashford in the front three.
Liverpool's Brad Smith and Celtic's Tomas Rogic featured in Ange Postecoglou's side for the friendly, as Australia set up with a rigid core.
England obtained the perfect start when Rashford slotted home with just his fourth touch after only three minutes.
The ball looped up after a deflection, falling at the feet of the United striker, and the teenager expertly side-footed his effort into the near corner of the net.
ITV Football shared the attacker's magical moment:
Squawka.com highlighted Rashford's milestone:
TalkSPORT's Andy Goldstein believed the goal is enough to see the player into England's final Euro 2016 squad for France:
Rashford continued to give the Socceroos issues with his pace, breaking inside the left channel as England poured forward.
The attacker linked well with Sterling, and their youthful play filled the watching Stadium of Light crowd with exuberance.
Much like the recent friendly against Turkey, England failed to maintain their early pace, and the game petered out as Australia held onto the ball.
The Three Lions worked hard to reignite the match, but there was an end-of-season feel to the game.
England's defence sat back as the visitors penetrated the back four, with Smalling called into action to protect his penalty area.
John Cross of the Mirror believed there were positives for Hodgson but doubts also remain:
England simply couldn't get back into the game despite their early strike, and as the match rushed toward half-time, the contest felt flat and uninspiring—despite a buoyant Sunderland crowd trying to create an atmosphere.
Hodgson's team nearly doubled their lead after 40 minutes after a well-worked corner saw goalkeeper Mathew Ryan save Henderson's shot.
The exciting few seconds of the opening moments had been nullified by a drab encounter. WhoScored.com provided the vital stats and player ratings during the break:
Rooney and James Milner entered the fray from the bench for Lallana and Wilshere, with the United skipper playing through the centre as striker.
England changed their shape in an attempt to see more of the ball, with Hodgson switching to a central diamond.
Rooney made an immediate impact while linking up with Sterling. The striker took a solitary touch and then smashed his effort into the top corner to double the lead.
ITV Football shared Rooney's blockbuster finish:
The Mirror's Nooruddean Choudry passed comment on the attacker's goal:
Rashford departed on the hourmark to a standing ovation from the north-east crowd; Ross Barkley replaced him, taking up a left-sided role in midfield.
Hodgson continued to ring the changes, swapping Smalling for Dier, and the Tottenham Hotspur player's first action was to head past his goalkeeper Fraser Forster—scoring an embarrassing own goal.
Rooney suffered a worrying knock as Mile Jedinak made contact with a kick, but the United player appeared to run the injury off, as fans held their breath in the closing stages.
Just as the Turkey game didn't reveal much about England's form or shape, neither did this friendly, which lacked fire and quality.
Rashford was the bright spark for the Three Lions, and the teenager has staked a credible claim to be in Hodgson's final squad, especially if Daniel Sturridge continues to struggle with injury.
Post-Match Reaction
Hodgson was delighted with Rashford's debut but held his cards close to his chest regarding his final squad, per BBC Sport:
England's Euro 2016 preparations continue on Thursday, June 2 when they welcome Portugal to Wembley Stadium.
