Wembley hosts an international friendly tonight between the Three Lions and the Socceroos as both teams prepare for upcoming major tournaments. Gareth Southgate has named an experimental team featuring debutant Levi Colwill ahead of potentially securing qualification for Euro 2024 next week.
After cruising to victory away to Scotland last month, England are once again expected to claim the win here to continue making their case that they are among the favourites to be crowned European champions in Germany. They have only lost once to Australia, with all of their meetings coming in non-competitive action.
The Aussies know a win in London will set them up well for the Asian Cup, which starts in January. A surprisingly good run at the World Cup in Qatar showed Graham Arnold has created a fairly formidable side from few star players. Follow England vs Australia LIVE via Standard Sport’s match blog, featuring expert analysis from our reporters at Wembley!
Live updates
Pre-game tribute
Fans are asked to applaud Trevor Francis and Francis Lee, who both died in recent weeks, as the players line up in the tunnel.
The light show has begun!
Wembley not quite full at kick-off approaches with the atmosphere ramping up in north-west London.
The goalkeepers’ union turns out for Sam Johnstone
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone has his chance to impress tonight after Aaron Ramsdale got the nod against Scotland last month.
It’s his fourth cap with all three previous opportunities coming in 2021. He has never conceded a goal for England, albeit with two of his appearances coming versus Andorra.
England vs Australia: Countdown to kick-off
Just 15 minutes until we get underway at Wembley!
The warm-ups are wrapping up with the players due out fairly soon before the national anthems and moment of silence for the Israel-Hamas conflict.
England vs Australia: Video preview
Gareth Southgate on his team selection
“[Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back] is about the balance of the team. He’s got some freedom in that role as well.
“We’ve got opportunities for players tonight and we need to find out about them. We’ve got players who can use the ball well but it’s about getting the balance of the team right against an Australia team that works hard and will cause us problems if our mentality isn’t right.
“[Levi Colwill] is very good and a very young defender. Not many young defenders in the leagye play centre-back and he’s playing left-back as well. He’s comfortable at both, good on the ball and developing very well.
“[James Maddison] has been outstanding for his club. He’s played a slightly different role for us, even if he ends up inside anyway. That’s his best role [at No10] and it’s an opportunity in that position.”
James Maddison riding the crest of a wave
Another player in the England line-up tonight is James Maddison, who is out to carry his Tottenham form into Three Lions duty.
“Can I do [the same] for England? Of course,” Maddison told Standard Sport ahead of the Socceroos’ visit to Wembley.
“I think I’m best centrally, but Gareth gives me the freedom to be central when I play off the left anyway, so it’s not like I’m out on the touchline, like Marcus [Rashford] or Jack [Grealish] would do. That’s more their strengths.
“I’m more of a player on the inside, like Phil Foden, who’s better in the pockets. Whenever Gareth has played me off the left, the message has always been to find the space on the inside. And that’s been fine.
“I think under Ange I’ve been good out of possession. It’s one thing I’m always conscious of. I never want to be that guy doesn’t work hard, because there’s no room for that guy any more.”
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Jarrod Bowen out to make up for lost time
Jarrod Bowen says playing the “best football” in his career has propelled him back into Gareth Southgate’s squad after admitting the World Cup snub was a disappointment.
The West Ham winger starts tonight after earning four caps last year, yet he failed to make the cut for Qatar.
“I was disappointed to miss out but that’s what happened,” he said. “I had to deal with it and all I could do was keep playing football to a level that I know that I can play at and everything will take care of itself.
“I think obviously the way I started this season I’m probably playing the best football that I’ve played, I think, in my career.
“I’ve had those experiences of Europe. It’s a bit different to when I came (before). I’m a dad now, so I’m in a different kind of place of, you know, you just feel a bit more mature and a bit more mature head on your shoulders.”
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Throwback: Australia’s only win over England
Australia’s only win in this fixture came in a 3-1 reverse at Upton Park in 2003, when Francis Jeffers scored the hosts’ only goal.
England wins: 4
Australia wins: 1
Draws: 2
