England beat Mexico and say their farewells to Wembley
Last updated 31/05/2010 11:20:32
England beat Mexico and say their farewells to Wembley
England said their farewells to Wembley and left their fans singing with joy after a 3-1 victory over a talented Mexico in their final home friendly before heading to the World Cup in South Africa.
The critics, however, were far from satisfied despite a splendid goal from Ledley King, a rather fortunate second by Peter Crouch and a real stunner from full back Glen Johnson and victory over a team who arrived unbeaten in 11 previous fixtures.
Mexico had enjoyed a full month together, working and refining their play and their team work while England, without the Chelsea players, had a few days at altitude in Austria where they return for a final fling against Japan on Sunday before their opening fixture against the USA.
We have always taken our friendly matches rather seriously but one wonders what might have happened had we suffered the same sort of result as Portugal or hosts South Africa on the same night.
Portugal's full strength side drew at home with the Cape Verde Islands - a bit like England failing to score against the Channel Islands - while Bafana Bafana drew 1-1 with Bulgaria in the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg where England will hope to be playing in the World Cup Final.
Of course there were things wrong with the England performance, it would be unsettling at this stage if they were perfect, but there was still plenty to delight manager Fabio Capello and the England fans.
Goalkeepers Robert Green, especially, and young Joe Hart hardly put a hand wrong as they shared the 90 minutes; Ledley King lasted the full game without problems and with a headed goal; Rio Ferdinand looked back to business after his recent run of injuries; wingers Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon showed enough trickery between them to frighten right backs around the world; Steven Gerrard, after un uncertain first half, looked a happier player in the second period shaped around the traditional 4-4-2.
That system is like a comfortable pair of old slippers to the England team and despite two first half goals, the players looked a lot more settled and on their game, especially Gerrard, James Milner and Wayne Rooney.
There is still a long way to go and much to improve upon (like the defending that let in Franco for the Mexican goal) but it must be remembered that this wasn't the definitive England side.
Capello will have one more look against Japan in a friendly in Austria on Sunday when, one hopes, he will play his World Cup starting eleven before making that heart rending decision of which seven players to leave at home and which 23 travels with him to
South Africa.
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