England vs Australia. International Match.
Wembley StadiumAttendance81,116.
Match report as Watkins scores his third goal for his country to make his case to be Harry Kane's understudy; England side of fringe and young players lacked fluidity and looked vulnerable to an Australian team that had big chances; focus switches to Euros qualifier with Italy on Tuesday
Saturday 14 October 2023 07:13, UK
Ollie Watkins took his England chance by converting a close-range finish as Gareth Southgate's much-changed side laboured to a 1-0 win over Australia - although the visitors were left regretting a series of missed opportunities at Wembley.
Watkins had hit the post in the first half but came up with the vital touch to divert Jack Grealish's shot into the net on 57 minutes and finally deliver the breakthrough for the hosts who had struggled until that point.
With Callum Wilson injured and the in-form Watkins given the nod up front ahead of Eddie Nketiah, the Aston Villa forward made his case to be Harry Kane's first-choice understudy with an impressive performance, capped by his third goal for his country.
This was his first appearance since scoring against Ivory Coast in March 2022 but he was a regular threat running beyond the Australia defence.
Lewis Dunk also added to his reputation, pulling off a brilliant goal-saving block to deny Ryan Strain at the end of the first half, while Sam Johnstone caught the eye with a sharp stop from Keanu Baccus' deflected strike.
But Southgate may not have learnt much more, with his combination of fringe and young players lacking fluidity and looking vulnerable before a flood of subs in the second half. Connor Metcalfe's header against a post from a late corner almost cost England the win.
Of course, England's real priority in this international window is Tuesday's Euro 2024 Qualifier with Italy at Wembley, where they will be able to secure a place at Germany next summer should Ukraine fail to beat North Macedonia on Saturday.
There will be plenty of changes for that match, with first-team regulars returning - and they'll have to be far better than their replacements were on Friday night.
Australia - playing England at Wembley for the first time - were buoyed by Southgate's decision to shake up his selection, a call which evened out a contest the hosts would usually have been expected to dominate.
There was a big early chance from Conor Gallagher's cut-back which Watkins and James Maddison almost converted and Watkins struck the far post later in the half after going around Australia 'keeper Mat Ryan. But it was the visitors who were left wondering how they hadn't gone into the break ahead.
England needed Johnstone to make a full-stretch stop from Baccus' deflected shot before Mitch Duke and Kye Rowles let their hosts off the hook.
Debutant Levi Colwill and Baccus went into the book for some shoving and Gallagher was shown a yellow for a lunge moments later as the temperature of the contest ramped up but Australia were landing plenty of blows with the ball. When Martin Boyle got away from Colwill to tee up Strain only a diving block from Dunk denied the Aussies the opener.
England had managed just one shot on target in the first 45 but Grealish's cross-shot from Alexander-Arnold's switch finally allowed Watkins to find the net and bring some relief to the home side.
The threat of a repeat of Australia's win over England 20 years ago at Upton Park had been averted, but with a series of changes for both sides following the goal there was no real control from the home side - and they were thankful to see Metcalfe head against the woodwork with 10 minutes to go.
By the final whistle, many England fans had already made their way to the exits. This wasn't a classic, and the focus will quickly switch to Tuesday night and Italy.
England boss Gareth Southgate to Channel 4: "We made a lot of changes, that made it really difficult for the players. It is tough playing international football when you haven't got a lot of caps behind you. We were not cohesive, I gave them a really tough challenge. Australia were good, they were athletic and well organised. I am pleased for the win after putting them in the position.
"We have given two debuts, very pleased with Ollie Watkins. There were some positives, we know we can play better but it was tough for the players. We saw a lot of things we knew. You need to give players the opportunity on this stage.
"We were too narrow as a back three when we were building. The most joy we had was getting the ball to the feet of our wingers and get in from there.
"In some positions we have huge depth and in others we haven't. We have to constantly keep looking. We have an under-21 team who are playing very well. We need that competition for places and of course there are some senior players who are injured."
England's Ollie Watkins to Channel 4: "It is always an honour putting on this shirt. It has been a long time coming. I have been waiting a long time for the next call up. I was looking forward to it and I wasn't going to let this opportunity slip.
"Jack has gone to shoot and he has dragged it. I don't known if it was going in, my first thought it was going in and I took it off him. I was looking at him and saying 'not sure if it was going in'.
"I am playing with top players, I knew I'd get another chance. There was a few times before I got called up and didn't think I deserved it but now I am coming in confident in myself off the back of good form. I was not nervous and just tried to perform in front of all these fans. I scored, it was a good night."
Australia assistant coach Rene Meulensteen: "This is one of those losses where you can be really proud of the performance. We played against a strong nation who have a big game against Italy coming up but they can field two world class teams. If you look at the leagues they play in and where we've come from… we were well organised, the players played with bravery when we could and we could have scored two goals."
England will secure a spot at Euro 2024 if Ukraine and North Macedonia draw on Saturday, and England beat Italy at Wembley on Tuesday; kick-off 7.45pm.
A defeat for Ukraine would mean a point would be enough for Gareth Southgate's men against Italy.
But England know they will be all but home and dry should they beat the Italians anyway, given Italy, Ukraine and North Macedonia all have to play each other again - meaning it is improbable that two of the chasing pack will be able to catch up with them.
