England vs Switzerland LIVE: Result, final score and reaction from international friendly
Follow all the action from Wembley as the Three Lions continue their preparations for the World Cup
If the purpose of these international friendlies in the no man’s land between qualifying and a major tournament is to experiment and learn lessons, then mission accomplished for England and Gareth Southgate. An old system including some new faces was tested and struggled against Switzerland, before changes were needed in order to come from behind and make a winning start to this World Cup year.
One thing these games are also useful for is a bit of stat-padding. Harry Kane is now level with Sir Bobby Charlton on 49 goals for his country, with only all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney left to catch. The England captain completed the turnaround with an emphatically converted 78th-minute penalty, awarded against Steven Zuber for handball after a lengthy VAR check.
Breel Embolo had initially put Switzerland in front, capitalising on a Benjamin White error, and deservedly so. England were rough around the edges and mostly second-best until Luke Shaw’s equaliser on the brink of half time, after which the pattern of the game shifted with all the substitutions that come in these friendlies. To be honest, there was not much of a rhythm to the game before that either. Follow reaction to England’s win over Switzerland below:
Half-time: England 1-1 Switzerland
Well Shaw has got England back into this one.
Embolo’s header was the difference for the majority of the first half after Pickford was forced into a great save. The Swiss were only one up as the Everton man put in two more great stops.
Then just before half-time Shaw smacked one home for the hosts.
Will this see a momentum change? Stay tuned for the second half.
England 1-1 Switzerland, 45 +2 min
What a goal!
It’s a good running line as Mount jumps out the way as the Manchester United man runs onto the ball and thumps it home.
Not a lot Omlin could have done there!
GOAL! England 1-1 Switzerland (Shaw, 46’)
Finally, England get into the match as Shaw smashes it outside the box.
England 0-1 Switzerland, 42 min
Shaqiri almost gets on the end of a great pass from Embolo but his touch sees him hit it off pitch, England goal kick.
They are quickly back upfield though with Steffen taking a shot. White heads away for another visitor corner.
The shot hits the side of post and it comes back out to Rodriguez who smashes it as Pickford. The Everton keeper pushes it away to save England again.
Switzerland are hitting England with everything at the moment and the hosts need to do something to rattle them soon to shake their momentum.
A stat which isn’t great for England sees the visitors having nine attempts at goal to England’s two.
Walker-Peters has been fed the ball twice but he can’t get a final touch to it.
England 0-1 Switzerland, 37 min
England build from the back but their attack isn’t paying off so far with nothing threatening Omlin’s goal since Gallagher’s chance.
They are managing to pin Switzerland in their own half, England’s defence much more impressive than their attack so far - which is saying something about their attack as they are 1-0 down.
Wembley raise their voices slightly as England looked to move forward but Kane loses it in the midfield.
Foden gets in a great position and could take a shot himself but he unselfishly hits it back inside. But the offside flag appears as Walker-Peters’ strike hits the post.
Switzerland make an early sub as Widmer comes off for Mbabu. That earlier Foden tackle seems to have done some damage.
England 0-1 Switzerland, 32 min
Boos ring out as they believe Widmer has dove after a Foden challenge.
But he is still on the ground making it look as though he isn’t pretending. The replays show Foden clip his ankle. He is back on his feet now and should remain on the pitch.
An England attack ends in a Swiss throw in as their tactics sees the ball drift out of play.
It’s been a slow start to this match from the hosts.
England 0-1 Switzerland, 28 min
Here they come again as Shaqiri gets a shot away, it’s deflected and Switzerland have their first corner.
They almost score again as they smack the bar! On the replay fans can see Pickford’s fantastic save as he actually pushes the ball on the bar. If it wasn’t for the Everton shot stopper England would be 2-0 down.
Hopefully Pickford can take some confidence from those early two saves. The goal was unfortunate but after his disappointing club form those smashing stops should calm the nerves.
But this shouldn’t take anything away from Switzerland. They have been patient and well organised in defence.
GOAL! England 0-1 Switzerland (Embolo, 22’)
Pickford saves a great shot by the visitors by his finger tips.
The ball comes back out and Embolo gets a head to it, which White can’t clear.
Pickford can only watch it roll in. VAR checking to see if it’s offside but it stands!
England 0-0 Switzerland, 20 mins
Mount takes the kick but Switzerland deal with it well, with keeper Omlin not having to intervene.
Foden then punts it back in but the inexperienced goal keeper collects.
Gallagher, who has played well so far, fouls Embolo to give the Swiss a building attacking opportunity. But it is short lived as a miss pass goes out of play.
A good fight between Akanji and Mount sees England come out with the throw, Shaw doing well to fight off two defenders around him. But the Swiss do enough to fight their way out of a tough spot.
Pickford kicks a long goal kick but it doesn’t find anyone but his opposing keeper.
England 0-0 Switzerland, 14 min
A free kick after that Mount challenge was taken by Phil Foden but Switzerland heads away to clear.
England get the ball back though and build up promising play through Shaw. The ball is hit into the box but a heavy touch from Kane sees the ball back with the visitors.
Slight frustration from Henderson sees him foul but England win the ball back quickly.
Guehi, on his debut, then dispossess a cracking attack close to Pickford’s goal.
Gallagher gets a shot at goal but it’s cleared for the first corner of the match.
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