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As it happenedended

England vs USA: Gareth Southgate's men secure comfortable win as Wayne Rooney makes final appearance

Re-live all the action from Wembley

Nathan Jacobs
Thursday 15 November 2018 16:11 GMT
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Wayne Rooney returns to England squad: former England captain speaks ahead of Wembley farewell against US

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England great Wayne Rooney got a heartfelt send-off and first-hand glimpse of the future as debutant Callum Wilson completed a comfortable win for Gareth Southgate's experimental side against the United States.

Focus on number 10 switched from Downing Street to Wembley on Thursday evening as the Three Lions' all-time top scorer and most capped outfield player brought the curtain down on his international career once and for all.

Rooney received a warm reception before and after coming on for his 120th appearance for England, who prepared for Sunday's crunch Nations League clash with Croatia by beating the USA 3-0 thanks to goals from Jesse Lingard, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Wilson.

The latter wrapped up victory on a night that also saw Lewis Dunk and Alex McCarthy make their international bows, with 18-year-old Jadon Sancho handed his first start as the Three Lions looked to the future while also paying tribute to one of their greatest players.

Rooney received a standing ovation when brought on in the 58th minute of a match that Southgate's men were already in control of thanks to a fine Lingard effort and Alexander-Arnold's first goal for his country.

There was to be no fairytale farewell goal for the 33-year-old, but he was first to celebrate with Wilson after the debutant scored the third on a night that saw the DC United forward impress against the country he now calls home.

His appearance in this friendly may have split opinion in the build-up, but there can be no doubt that the support for the Wayne Rooney Foundation and chance for fans to say thanks was only positive.

Re-live the action live below:

ROI 0-0 NIR. 

I'm glad we chose to focus on the England game this evening... 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:40

Smiles all round as Callum Wilson celebrates scoring his first goal for England on his debut, minutes before being replaced by Rashford. 

Icing on the 'cherry' cake? 

I'll see myself out..  

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:41

85 mins: England 3-0 USA 

England are still trying to get another and Rooney is certainly being very unselfish when he gets the ball, spreading the ball wide to Alexander-Arnold who seems to playing up front! 

He gets two bites at the cherry but can't find and England shirt. 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:44

3 minutes of stoppage time. 

Can Wayne Rooney grab a late goal? 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:47

 It doesn't appear that Rooney will end tonight with a goal... 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:48

90+1 mins: CHANCE! ENGLAND 3-0 USA 

And as I say that, Rooney wriggles around a couple of US defenders and allows himself to have a pop. 

His left footed effort isn't bad but it doesn't quite make the corner and doesn't have the power he wants on it so Guzan gathers the danger. 

Proper party pooping behaviour there. 

A rye smile from Wayne, though. 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:50

90+3 mins: CHANCE! England 3-0 USA 

Close again as Rooney stretches for a cross from the right hand side but slams the ground as he just can't reach it! 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:50

FULL TIME: ENGLAND 3-0 USA

A professional performance from England ends with a 3-0 victory following goals from Jesse Lingard, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Callum Wilson. 

Wayne Rooney made his 120th and final appearance as an England player and almost grabbed a headline goal but was unable to do so. 

A pleasant evening made even more interesting by Croatia's last-gasp victory against Spain in Zagreb which means that anybody can still win the Nations League group with one more game to play on Sunday between England and Croatia

A chance for a very small minuscule attempt at revenge after this summer's heartbreak, perhaps? 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:54

Rooney full of laughs here, embracing Guzan at the end who stopped the party from reaching a crescendo! 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 21:56

Thank you for following the Independent live blog this evening as England oversaw a professional 3-0 win over Croatia. 

Bigger challenges lie ahead, no bigger than in the shape of Croatia this Sunday where a victory will see the Three Lions progress from their Nations League Group. 

Make sure you tune in to our live updates of that game, here with the Independent. 

For now though, have a great evening, folks. 

Nathan Jacobs15 November 2018 22:27

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