Player ratings as England defeats Australia in friendly match

England were made to work for their 1-0 win against Australia in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday night.

Gareth Southgate used many of the fringe players in his squad ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy, with the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham remaining unused substitutes.

The Socceroos put the frighteners on England throughout and were a little unlucky not to have found the back of the net as a reward for their adventurous endeavours.

England went close to taking the lead with eight minutes on the clock. Jarrod Bowen managed to free Conor Gallagher down the right flank, but his low cross through the six-yard box just evaded James Maddison and Ollie Watkins.

Down the other end, Australia nearly broke the deadlock themselves. Keanu Baccus' curling strike was deflected off the head of Fikayo Tomori, and Sam Johnstone had to fling across his line to palm the ball to safety.

The Socceroos again troubled their hosts when a cross from Ryan Strain was volleyed on by Mitchell Duke, with his strike whistling past the post. Shortly after, Kye Rowles fired over following a scramble from an Australia corner.

England should have gone in front when Maddison released Watkins through on goal, rounding goalkeeper Mat Ryan but then somehow only striking the post.

A swift counter attack nearly caught the Three Lions out. Baccus' long through ball was met by Martin Boyle, who teed up Strain who was unmarked at the back post, but Lewis Dunk managed to clear the resulting shot off the line.

11 minutes after the break, England at last went ahead. A deep cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold was brought down by Jack Grealish, whose low cross was tapped in at the far post by Watkins.

Entering the closing stages, Conor Metcalfe rose highest from an Australia corner and slammed a header a back off the woodwork as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Australia piled on the pressure with a series of set pieces but they were ultimately unable to break the England resistance.