ENGLAND 1, SWITZERLAND 0
Marcus Rashford scored again as England beat Switzerland 1-0 at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium in a friendly match.
After an exciting UEFA Nations League game against Spain at Wembley on Saturday the football was back to the all-too-familiar low intensity friendly match despite an opportunity for England’s second string to impress Gareth Southgate.
There were only two players retained from the 2-1 defeat against the Spanish as Southgate rang the changes for the friendly encounter against the Swiss.
Dele Alli and Luke Shaw were already ruled out with a minor muscle strain and concussion respectively prior to this game but only Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford kept their places in the side to face the Swiss.
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Jack Butland started skittishly – almost scoring an own goal, while Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri’s early shot rebounding wide off the post after a poor clearance by James Tarkowski after he was sold short by the Stoke ‘keeper won’t have improved his nerves.
Like the Spanish, the Swiss were much better on the ball than England’s second string but for some poor finishing – Ricardo Rodriguez’ shot could have opened the visitors’ account.
England had already been decent down the flanks as Yann Sommer was tested by Danny Rose with England finally finding a bit of rhythm after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s earlier effort was saved and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s deflected effort went close despite continuing to lack midfield creativity.
Marcus Rashford stakes his claim for an England starting spot against Switzerland
Rashford broke the deadlock in the 54th minute as he scored for the second consecutive game in a row after smashing a half volley past Sommer following Kyle Walker’s cross.
The young England striker had already gone close shortly after the break and lost his marker from five yards out to sweep home Walker’s deep cross at the back post for his fifth England goal in 27 appearances.
The well travelled Manchester United forward has now scored those goals at The Stadium of Light, Elland Road, Wembley (twice) and now at the King Power Stadium and will be surely pushing for a start in the next England games as well as for Manchester United.
Southgate made a triple change on the hour mark with Jesse Lingard coming on for Loftus-Cheek, James Tarkowski was replaced by John Stones, while Harry Kane came on for Danny Welbeck.
Shaqiri’s goal-bound shot was bravely blocked by Stones before the Swiss made their own triple change.
As with any friendly match, the quality dipped towards the end of additional substitutes came on.
Fabian Delph was replaced by Jordan Henderson while Kieran Trippier replaced Alexander-Arnold and Ben Chilwell made his England debut after replacing Danny Rose.
Chilwell became Gareth Southgate’s 50th player used as England manager and got one of the biggest cheers of the night in his home stadium as the home side closed out the game following a more satisfying second half.