ENGLAND 3, USA 0
It was a case of out with the old and in with the new as England comprehensively beat United States in a friendly at Wembley.
Wayne Rooney was handed a farewell 120th cap to signal the end of his illustrious career as England’s record goalscorer.
But at the opposite end of the spectrum there were first international goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Callum Wilson, the latter of his debut.
And with Jesse Lingard also on target, it was a team with a refreshingly youthful look against opponents ranked 25th in the world and who had drawn their last two internationals against England.
Yet it was a seamless display as the new kids looked at ease on the international stage that provided manager Gareth Southgate with considerable food for thought.
Southgate said: “Some of our attacking play in the first 30 minutes and last 20 was exciting.
“There were some encouraging performances from the young players and nice for Trent and Callum to get goals which were good moments.”
Southgate added he was not happy with his side when they were without the ball saying America got through them too easily.
“If we do that on Sunday (against World Cup finalists Croatia in the Nations League) we will lose. If we want to be a top team in the world we have to be ruthless throughout the game and not stop when we are 3-0 up,” he said.
Southgate paid tribute to former Manchester United player Rooney saying he was brilliant throughout his time with the squad offer advice through conversations with the young players.
Rooney also presented the new players with their shirts and told them what playing for England meant to him.
“Wayne showed humility in training, tracking back in five-a-side games as though his life depended on it and but for a save from Braz Guzan at the end it was close to a fairytale finish,” he continued.
It was Rooney’s night as the former captain’s foundation will benefit from some of the proceeds.
Rooney, accompanied by his sons, entered the field to a guard of honour from both teams which was followed by a presentation to mark the end of his international days.
It was very much an experimental England team with debuts for Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk and Bournemouth striker Wilson while there was a first start for exciting Borussia Dortmund teenager Jadon Sancho.
And with the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Ben Chilwell, Michael Keane and Harry Winks in the side, it was with an eye on the future.
Jordan Pickford, Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard were the only players you could call seasoned internationals while Fabian Delph captained the team.
England made an electrifying start and could have been three goals to the good inside the opening 10 minutes.
American keeper Brad Guzan made a brilliant save to turn Alli’s header on to the crossbar, Wilson just failed to connect properly with a Lingard cross in front of goal and then Wilson had a strong shout for a penalty rejected after he looked to be upended by Guzan as he burst through on goal.
Despite their early dominance, America almost snatched a mid-half lead with their first chance of the game.
Borussia Dortmund’s talented 20-year-old Christian Pulisic burst through on goal only to be denied by a super stop from Pickford who spread himself well to keep out the low shot.
England made the most of this stroke of fortune to immediately go upfield to make a 25th minute breakthrough as Alli set up Lingard who curled an exquisite shot from the edge of the box into the top corner, his third goal for England.
And it was 2-0 two minutes later when Alexander-Arnold scored his first goal for England as the overlapping right back powered home a drive into the far bottom corner.
Southgate handed another first cap at the restart as Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy replaced Pickford.
Rooney took the captain’s armband from Delph after he made his entrance just before the hour along with Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier as Chilwell, Alli and Lingard were replaced.
The second period, with England in a commanding lead, lacked the intensity of the opening half.
And America almost halved the deficit mid-half when Bobby Wood headed narrowly over when well placed eight yards out.
England made a fifth change with 20 minutes left when Ruben Loftus-Cheek took the place of Winks.
Rooney created an opening for himself, but could only fire straight at keeper Brad Guzan.
Wilson glanced a shot narrowly wide as he looked to endure a frustrating night in front of goal.
But he was finally rewarded 13 minutes from time with a n excellent near-post shot to covert a left-wing cross from Delph.
It was his last action as he was soon replaced by Marcus Rashford, England’s sixth change.
And there was almost a perfect send off for Rooney as in stoppage time he was denied a farewell goal by a smart save from Guzan, the former Aston Villa, Hull City and Middlesbrough shot stopper.