If the purpose of these international friendlies in any country between qualifiers and major tournaments is to experiment and take lessons, then the mission is complete for England and Gareth Southgate. An old system that included some new faces was tested and fought against Switzerland, before changes were needed in order to come from behind and start this World Cup victoriously. One thing that these games are also useful for is a bit of stat-padding. Harry Kane is now equivalent to Sir Bobby Charlton with 49 goals for his country, with only the top scorer of all time, Wayne Rooney, to catch. The England captain completed the upset with an emphatically converted penalty in the 78th minute, which was blamed on Steven Zuber for handball after a long VAR check. Breel Embolo had initially put Switzerland ahead, taking advantage of a mistake by Benjamin White, and deservedly so. England were tough on the edges and mostly second best until Luke Shaw equalized on the verge of halftime, after which he changed the game plan with all the changes made to these friendlies. To be honest, even before that there was not much pace in the game. Follow the reactions to England’s victory over Switzerland below:
England vs Switzerland
ENG XI: Pickford; Walker-Peters, Guehi, Coady, White, Shaw; Gallagher, Henderson; Mount, Fontaine, Kane SUI XI: Omlin, Widmer, Akanji, Frei, Embolo, Freuler, Xhaka, Steffen, Rodriguez, Vargas, Shaqiri 22 ‘- Briel Ebolo with a header after a cross by Shakiri 44 ‘- Shaw’s hammer in the equalizer from the edge of the box England play without names on the shirts in the second half 80 ‘- Kane hides a penalty after controlling the VAR in handball Match report: England beat Switzerland on a Kane penalty
Show last update 1648323779
Kane’s penalty wins England return to Switzerland at Wembley
If the purpose of these international friendlies in any country between qualifiers and major tournaments is to experiment and take lessons, then the mission is complete for England and Gareth Southgate. An old system that included some new faces was tested and fought against Switzerland, before changes were needed in order to come from behind and start this World Cup victoriously. One thing that these games are also useful for is a bit of stat-padding. Harry Kane is now equivalent to Sir Bobby Charlton with 49 goals for his country, with only the top scorer of all time, Wayne Rooney, to catch. The England captain completed the upset with an emphatically converted penalty in the 78th minute, which was blamed on Steven Zuber for handball after a long VAR check. Breel Embolo had initially put Switzerland ahead, taking advantage of a mistake by Benjamin White, and deservedly so. England were tough on the edges and mostly second best until Luke Shaw equalized on the verge of halftime, after which he changed the game plan with all the changes made to these friendlies. To be honest, even before that there was not much pace in the game. Complaining that these games are not particularly fun is like criticizing a chimpanzee with a typewriter for not writing great literature. In terms of producing classic works that stay in memory for a long time, they have about the same success rate. As Mexican waves flew around the national stadium under floating paper airplanes, you knew this was a Wembley friendly. But that does not mean it was not useful. Mark Critchley’s match report from Wembley: Karl Matchett26 March 2022 19:42 1648323739
Watch Harry Kane score England winner from the penalty spot against Switzerland
Harry Kane buried a penalty that scored remarkable numbers in the last minutes of England’s friendly victory over Switzerland. The striker scored his 49th international goal in the process, tying him with Sir Bobby Charlton as the national team’s all-time leading scorer, just behind Wayne Rooney. He also proved to be the winner of the match as the Three Lions triumphed 2-1. Karl Matchett26 March 2022 19:42 1648323387
Final: England 2-1 Switzerland
England captain Harry Kane told Sky: “It was a tough game. It’s a big year ahead of us, it’s a good opportunity for us to try out a few different systems and formations. “I felt it was a good performance and some improvements, but a good start to the year. “We made a change in the team as well. Some new faces are making their debut. “It’s very nice to see young players come in and play with confidence.” For the penalty: “Mark [Guehi] they took their first one and drove it. It was one where the defender jumped for it. As a striker you have to be ready at all times, penalties are a great way to get on the scoresheet. “I always say that it is an amazing company. I’m proud to be among these names. “But we always look to the next one.” Sarah Rendell26 March 2022 19:36 1648322973
Watch Luke Shaw whistle in England’s draw against Switzerland
England did not lag far behind at Wembley against Switzerland after Breel Embolo’s first game. Surprisingly, though, it was extreme back Luke Shaw who gave way back to par. Crossing the Conor Gallagher’s crossroads originally intended for Mason Mount, Shaw sent a left foot into the crossbar to equalize the Three Lions and get angry at his blow in last summer’s Euro 2020 final. Karl Matchett26 March 2022 19:29 1648322648
Final: England 2-1 Switzerland
England managed to secure victory at Wembley even though they did not have the upper hand for most of the match. Embolo hit a great header first, but Shaw equalized before half time. But it was the man of England’s Harry Kane penalty that sealed the victory. He is now equivalent to Sir Bobby Charlton and four in Rooney’s record for scoring. A great outing for those making their debut with Gallagher standing out on its first cover. England will face Ivory Coast on Tuesday. Sarah Rendell26 March 2022 19:24 1648322606
Watch Breel Embolo score Switzerland’s first game against England
England were left behind in the first half in front of some wild pressure from the guests, Breel Embolo finally passed Jordan Pickford with a header after the cross of Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss side also hit the wood twice during those first 45 minutes, before England came back to life. Karl Matchett26 March 2022 19:23 1648322492
England 2-1 Switzerland, 90 + 4 minutes
Four minutes added here, can England see victory? Sorry, the previous shot on goal came from Coady, it was Sterling who crossed it to the Wolves man. England looks to run fast, but Watkins cuts someone off and gives a free kick. Rice takes a nice shot towards the goal, but the ball is well blocked by the adversary. Sarah Rendell26 March 2022 19:21 1648322306
England 2-1 Switzerland, 90 minutes
Kane runs a great line to receive the ball from Grealis, but they lose possession on the edge of the box. Switzerland has kept the occupation around the large area, but Pickford is moving away. Rodriguez crosses well but Sterling chases, Switzerland managed to keep the ball in a good position, but Rodriguez fell to the skies. England then make a change as Governor Kane comes for Watkins, with the armband going to Henderson. England got a foul with Greallis committing a foul, no surprise! Omlin almost received a shock as the ball went behind him with Bellingham hitting, his defenders chasing the ball. Corner of England and Grialis is approaching. Sterling receives a shot on goal. Sarah Rendell26 March 2022 19:18 1648321963
England 2-1 Switzerland, 85 minutes
England want to close this match and return to the passers in the back with some coming to Pickford. The Three Lions go ahead and find Grealish as the bouncing ball passes in front of the goal. But the Manchester City player is under pressure to get away from the goal Switzerland want to fuel a game on goal, but Pickford came out to collect. Henderson puts the ball in the big area with Jay Bellingham almost putting it in the head. He’s shot for Kane but he’s a foul. Sarah Rendell26 March 2022 19:12 1648321707
England 2-1 Switzerland 80 minutes
Kane is now four points away from Wayne Rooney’s all-time goal record. Can he do it in these friendlies? You have to feel for Zuber hitting the ball with his hand, there was no intention there. Embolo left for Switzerland, I did not see who came but I will let you know as soon as I know. Bellingham for England. Sarah Rendell26 March 2022 19:08
