Published: 15 August, 2013
by PAUL COWLING at WEMBLEY STADIUM

Teenage Cancer Trust International Friendly
ENGLAND 3 SCOTLAND 2
Attendance: 80,485

IT'S been fourteen years since the world's oldest international football fixture was last played. Then, Scotland won 1-0 in November 1999. This time, the Scots took the lead twice in a cracking match, but were eventually seen off by an England side who have much to ponder as they embark on a four-game campaign that will decide whether they will be at the World Cup Finals in Brazil next year.

It was left to a 31-year-old journeyman who started out at Rochdale, to spare England's blushes. Southampton's Rickie Lambert once worked in a beetroot factory, but he announced his dream England debut with a bullet header on 70 minutes. It was his first touch of the ball after coming on less than three minutes before.

Lambert was England's one real bright spark on the night, and could have scored a second but his first-time shot cannoned back off the post, as England came forward in search of a killer fourth, as Scotland tired after they had given so much.

Their Tartan Army hordes had turned Wembley into Hampden. They probably wouldn't have believed what they were seeing when James Morrison's shot from outside the penalty area bounced off England keeper Joe Hart, and into the net for 1-0 on 11 minutes.

It was another howler from the Manchester City man, who's suddenly not looking the assured goalkeeper from his early England days.

1-0 down and Wembley rocking to 'Flower of Scotland', England looked to get back on terms, but couldn't find a way through a defence well marshalled by Grant Hanley.  But, with the Blackburn defender off the field and receiving treatment for a knock, England equalised on 29 minutes through Theo Walcott – the Arsenal man's pace and turn was too much for Steven Whittaker.

After the break, Scotland were deservedly back in front when veteran striker Kenny Miller easily shrugged off a static Gary Cahill to plant a first time shot past a stunned Hart. It was a tremendous finish from a player who now plays his club football for Vancouver Whitecaps in the mediocre MSL. 

This time the lead didn't last long. Steven Gerrard's free kick was headed in with ease by Manchester United's Danny Welbeck, who easily outjumped defender Russell Martin.

England sensed a winner. Wellbeck, who improved after a limp first half, was just wide with a finely executed bicycle kick, while Wilfried Zaha and Frank Lampard – on as subs for Walcott and Arsenal team-mate Jack Wilshere – had shots scrambled away by Scotland keeper Alan McGregor.

And so it was left to that other substitute – Lambert – to spoil Scotland's big party, and at least give coach Roy Hodgson food for thought as he starts to think about his forward line for that first crucial qualifier against Moldova on September 6.

“He's been a breath of fresh air”, Hodgson said of Lambert. “It's a wonderful story. A fairy tale.”

Hodgson wouldn't be drawn on whether the Southampton forward would get to feature in the next squad, but barring injury, he surely will. Much had been made of how Wayne Rooney would play, but the Manchester United talisman had an industrious, if unspectacular game – the plaudits were undoubtedly for Lambert.

In his usual way, Hodgson insisted on looking at the positives of the match, rather than any pressing concerns about the defence.

Defend like they did in this match, and England simply won't be going anywhere. Once England had finally taken the lead, and Scotland pressed as best they could, any late equaliser would have been down to England's inability to defend rather than Scottish ability to score it.

"We made life as bit difficult for ourselves by going behind twice. But it was very satisfying to win the game,” said a satisfied Hodgson.


On an evening when there was an off-day for everyone (bar Lambert) Hodgson said he was still pleased with Jack Wilshere's contribution. “Jack can unlock doors, with his footwork and change of pace. He (usually) fits into areas I like to have him.”

Wilshere had been touted by Steven Gerrard as a future England captain, and he looks to be heading that way, but both Arsene Wenger and Hodgson both hope he will stay match fit, as both Arsenal and England enter important periods of the football year.

England: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Jagielka (Jones 84), Baines, Gerrard (Oxlade-Chamberlain 62), Wilshere (Lampard 46), Cleverley (Milner 67); Walcott (Zaha 75), Rooney (Lambert 67)