The Sport Matrix: Thursday 15 August 2013

Dream debut for Lambert as England scrape past Scots

Rickie Lambert hailed his winning goal for England as a dream come true after he scored just two minutes into his debut in England’s 3-2 win over Scotland at Wembley.

Lambert had come on for Wayne Rooney and two minutes into his England bow he headed in Leighton Baines’ corner to spare his national team’s blushes.

Lambert said: “I have been dreaming about this all my life, it went just how I wanted it. It was my first chance, a corner and I fancied myself.”

Lambert admitted he had “tried to play it cool” in training with the England team but added: “Inside I wanted to scream. It was brilliant.”

James Morrison had Joe Hart to thank for Scotland’s opener, after the England goalkeeper failed to keep the ball out of his net despite being in direct line of the shot.

Theo Walcott equalised for England, before Kenny Miller restored Scotland’s lead in the second half. His joy was short-lived as Danny Welbeck headed in England’s second equaliser. MORE

British hopefuls line up for glory

British duo Perri Shakes-Drayton and Eilidh Child chase World Championship glory today in the 400m hurdles final at 5.45pm BST. Hannah England competes in the 1,500m final in Moscow at 6.20pm, while 18-year-old Jessica Judd will line up in the 800m heats at 6.55am. MORE

Rutherford hits back at Tomlinson

Long jumper Greg Rutherford has defended his World Championships selection after rival Chris Tomlinson tweeted about his “anger” as Rutherford finished 14th in qualifying yesterday. Rutherford said: “I’m still British No 1.” MORE

SA to bring back racial quotas

After they were once dismissed as “window dressing”, racial quotas are on their way back to South African sport. It was yesterday confirmed that teams in next year’s Vodacom Cup will have to field seven non-white players in their 22-man squads. MORE

Murray returns to form with victory

Andy Murray bounced back from last week’s early exit to Ernests Gulbis in Montreal with a convincing win over Mikhail Youzhny in the second round of the Cincinnati Open yesterday. Second seed Murray, handed a bye into round two, had few problems in seeing off the Russian 6-2, 6-3. MORE

England earn draw in women’s Ashes

England batted through the final day to earn a draw in the women’s Ashes Test. Chasing an unlikely 249 to win from just 45 overs, the home side reached 93 for 2 before hands were shaken at Wormsley. Australia’s captain, Jodie Fields, had earlier made an unbeaten 78 before declaring on 231 for 5. MORE

Suarez to talk over future with Rodgers

Luis Suarez will meet Liverpool’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, at the club’s Melwood training ground in the next two days to talk about his position. However, the Uruguayan striker has not spoken to anyone at the club itself about his future and remains unrepentant about his actions this summer. MORE

Northern Ireland shock Russians

Northern Ireland pulled off a sizeable shock last night by beating Russia 1-0 in Belfast for their first win of the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and Michael O’Neill’s first as manager. Martin Paterson scored the only goal two minutes before half-time, rising above his defender to head home.