Match Timeline

England
Australia
  • 17
  • 42
  • HT
  • 45
  • 45
  • 56
  • 70
  • 72
  • 76
  • 84
  • 85
  • 87
  • FT

Match Commentary

90'
And it's all back to Earls Court for a few stubbies. The Pommies well beaten again. Email your thoughts on Aussie Soccer, Harry Kewell's performance, Sven's selection policy, Rooney's debut... whatever it is - to newsdesk@soccernet.com
90'
And that's that. A famous night for Frank Farina and the Socceroos, an infamous night for Sven Goran Eriksson and England's first eleven. 3-1 the final score.
90'
Bresciano takes - but weakly and Robinson gathers on the bounce
90'
Down goes Sterjovski under Hargreaves' challenge. Time for a fourth?
90'
Into injury time and the Aussie fans have run out of inspiration after a hearty rendition of 'Just like the cricket'
89'
Mills is furious to be penalised as he breaks free on the right... Australia counter from the freekick and Bresciano has a crack at goal from deep. High and wide
86'
'We want four' is the cry now... but it's doubtful that Kevin Muscat, the latest substitute to take the field, will be the creative spark for that
85'
The killer blow - and the cue for Viduka's exit. Mile Sterjovski of Lille comes on
84'
Aloisi breaks free down the right. King gets back to cover but the ball gets through to Emerton to sweep the killer third under Robinson's body. 3-1 Aussies!
82'
Rooney almost finds space to strike but Moore sweeps in to clear
81'
The Tottenham man is in again to set Mills away on the right. Murphy is in support but his 25-yard effort is blocked
80'
King is across to halt Bresciano's progress down the Aussie left
79'
Koncheskey drives in from the left but his ball is behind Vassell and Okon can pick up
77'
Jenas pops up on the left to feed Hargreaves for a swinging cross. England then build from a throw-in, but Jeffers, looking for support, heads Murphy's ball backwards when there was a chance to go for goal perhaps.
75'
Chipperfield, the Basle man, is off - on comes Grella
74'
Moore's up again to meet Mills' long throw and the Socceroos can work it clear again
73'
Wes Brown robs Bresciano to launch another England counter. Craig Moore is back to hoof clear though
71'
Tony Popovic limps out the game to be replaced by Tony Vidmar - that's a worry for Crystal Palace ahead of the big Cup clash with Leeds on Sunday
69'
New hope for Young England... Viduka tries an instant reply but the red shirts are there in numbers to crowd him out inside the box. Robinson collects
69'
Unruffled, Rooney finds Jenas speeding down the right. A perfect cross and Jeffers' near-post header flies past Schwarzer for a stunning goal. 2-1!
68'
Vassell bursts in from the left, finding Rooney, but his over-ambitious shot is hopelessly wide
66'
Now Hargreaves switches to the left to force a corner off Moore. It's played short to Jenas, but the floated cross is easy for the Aussie rearguard
64'
The hulking Emerton holds the ball up down the right, but Chipperfield is offside
63'
Hargreaves gets round the back to cross from the byeline... Rooney, looking for a penalty, collides with Moore in the six-yard box, but the ref's having none of it
62'
And now the football - as Jenas finds Rooney in the box. The Everton teenager drops a shoulder to find space to shoot, but it's well blocked
60'
The festival becomes farcical as referee Gonazalez brings a halt to play with an innebriated gentleman showcasing his birthday suit to the Upton Park crowd
58'
'Stand up if you hate the Poms' sing the green and gold ranks (most of whom no doubt enjoy earning their living in London)... meanwhile, Viduka breaks to the right but King is across to block out the cross
56'
Rooney wins a freekick upfield, and during the hiatus Aloisi replaces man-of-the-match Kewell, who receives a tremendous ovation from the whole ground
55'
Again Kewell is the target for the corner, which breaks for Lazaridis, whose shot baloons over
54'
Australia freekick on the left wing. Kewell makes for the near post but fails to get a touch - but Robinson does brilliantly to palm an awkward ball round the post
52'
Danny Murphy looking purposeful, robbing Bresciano, but - as Rooney did - striking weakly at goal.
51'
Rooney on the burst... a one-two with fellow Scouser Jeffers and the wonderkid strikes from 20 yards - but rather a scuff and Schwarzer gathers easily
50'
Tormentor-in-chief Kewell causes Wes Brown problems, but the Spanish referee rules a foul as Viduka surges onto his team-mate's flick-on
49'
Now Kewell wins a corner off Mills, now at rightback. Bresciano picks it up after a quick take but his cross is comfortably over Paul Robinson's cross bar
48'
Kewell takes a swing but Ledley King blocks. England counter with Rooney making an instant impact, finding Vassell at the far post. Schwarzer blocks at the near post though
46'
Jenas and Konchesky team up for their first touches in international football. The Charlton man clears again under pressure from Viduka
46'
Eriksson puts out an entirely fresh eleven - including Wayne Rooney - for the second half as Bresciano replaces the injured Skoko. Click on 'Stats' for all the changes...
45'
How bad can it get - even the Kiwis are lapping it up, as Luke Thurlby writes: 'Give em some more Australia!!' Keep those mails coming in
45'
Will Sven's reserves fare any better after the break? With Kewell raging through England like a bush fire it has to be doubtful. Come on, Aussies - send your gleeful emails to newsdesk@soccernet.com
45'
One last Beckham swing from the left... Popovic is there to clear and boos ring out around Upton Park as referee Gonazlez brings an end to an awful half for England. 2-0 Aussie!
45'
Red-faced England probe again. Scholes finds Neville, but Beckham can't control a low, curling ball from the right. Goalkick
44'
Now Beckham blasts from a narrow angle - side-netting
43'
Yet more green-and-gold misery for England ... Scholes chips ahead for Owen to swing from inside the box - but it's an air shot and Schwarzer collects
42'
Lampard this time loses the ball wide out. The Aussies counter and Kewell forces his way past a stumbling Ferdinand, before rounding James for the second. 2-0 Australia!
41'
Beattie turns to shoot from 25 yards, but pulls the ball wide
39'
England counter through Dyer. Owen tries to find some daylight in the box but too many Socceroo legs in the way. England win a throw but Neville's long hurl is headed away once again
38'
Viduka holds it up well at the edge of the box. Kewell arrives to shoot and the ball rebounds to Skoko, whose half-volley is well struck but always rising over the bar
37'
The Socceroos pressing well as a unit now - Beckham gets robbed by Skoko, but Neville is there to pick it up again. England probe but to little avail...
35'
Beckham drives a freekick from the left flank, but England are offside as Schwarzer collects at his feet
34'
Straight to the other end, where Dyer's flick-on releases Owen in the box. This time it's Craig Moore doing just enough to force the striker to drag his shot just wide
33'
But Neville's at fault as Kewell finds space to head the corner at goal - just over
32'
Viduka bursts clear on the right - England exposed again. Chipperfield's in the middle but Neville gets across to concede a corner. Great last-ditch defending
31'
Lazaridis goes in (too) hard on Beckham out wide. Yellow card against the Birmingham man
30'
Terrible stuff from Lampard but James did well. Campbell gets the first touch to the corner and Scholes weighs in to clear
29'
Lampard gets robbed just outside his own penalty area. Kewell finds Chipperfield and James is at his most acrobatic to tip Viduka's looping reaction header over the bar
27'
Then a typical Scholes moment as he seizes on a loose ball just outside the penalty area before hitting right-footed at goal. Schwarzer is relieved to see it go wide of his right stick
26'
Kewell bursts through midfield toward the right flank, where Viduka supplies a cross which drifts beyond James and co. Goalkick
25'
Then horror for the Boro keeper as he dwells on the ball, allowing Owen to steal in - but the angle is to acute for the Liverpool striker, who can only hook his shot into the side-netting
24'
But England press again through Lampard - another ex-Hammer - but this time Neville's delivery is straight at Schwarzer
23'
Poor ball from Beckham - too short for Neville and Lazaridis, on his old home ground, can clear
22'
England looking far more urgent - the first team only have 25 minutes to salvage a result
21'
Dyer releases Owen on the left. Beattie in the middle and Scholes hammers in from four yards after a goalmouth scramble. But the flag's up for offside against the Manchester United midfielder
20'
Now Emerton crosses from the right with Viduka lurking - but Neville is back to clear
18'
Aussie glee among supporters behind the goal as the goalscorer is mobbed by his team-mates.
17'
But the Aussies have a freekick wide out. Lazaridis curls it to the far post where Popovic has stolen a yard to head past James for the opening goal. 1-0 Australia!
16'
Campbell times his chellenge to perfection as Chipperfield bears down on the England box
15'
Kewell - posing increasing danger - drifts in from the right to hammer another shot. But this time wide of James' left post
13'
Australia break before Kewell unleashes a fierce swerver which James does brilliantly to tip round the corner.. And the keeper punches the corner clear.
12'
Beckham's delivery drops into the heart of Schwarzer's six-yard box and a Socceroo boot can hoof it clear.
10'
Beattie wins the ball strongly - feeding Scholes to drive it into the box. The Aussies only half clear and Dyer is able to force a corner
8'
Australia break and Kewell gets round Cole on the far side. Chipperfield rises at the far post but Neville is just strong enough to get in the way
8'
Lovely backheel from Beattie almost finds Owen bursting into the box, but Schwarzer is out to collect
7'
Now Neville wrestles with Lazaridis on the Australia left... Freekick given by Spanish ref Gonzalez - but Skoko's delivery loops beyond the far post for a goalkick
5'
The Aussies unable to establish any control of the ball so far. Beattie springs away to the right flank and tests Schwarzer with an awkward cross - but the Boro man is equal to it
4'
Beckham takes again but the Socceroos break through Lazaridis. England are back in numbers though
3'
Then Skoko chops Owen down in midfield. England starting brightly
2'
Neville miscontrols after Owen and Beckham exchange swift passes. England forced back
1'
David James gets an early boot before England win a freekick in midfield. Beckham chips it goalward but Popovic is there to volley away from the crowd
1'
England in red - for some reason - kick off!
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Almost ready for kick-off at Upton Park, where the latest episode in a fierce (if not too competitive of late) sporting rivalry is being played out...
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Kick-off has been delayed due to traffic problems around Upton Park. The game will now start at 20.15 GMT
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The Australian line-up featured a host of Premiership-based players, with Harry Kewell fit to partner Leeds team-mate Mark Viduka up front
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Lampard came through a fitness test along with Paul Scholes and Ashley Cole, who also take up their places in the starting line-up. Eriksson names his remaining 16 players on the bench
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Sven Goran Eriksson hands in-form Southampton striker James Beattie his debut, partnering Michael Owen. Kieron Dyer and Frank Lampard are given chances to impress in a midfield missing Steven Gerrard
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<b>England team:</b> James, G Neville, A Cole, Ferdinand, Campbell, Beckham, Scholes, Lampard, Dyer, Beattie, Owen<br><b>Australia team: </b>Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Popovic, Lazaridis, Emerton, Skoko, Okon, Chipperfield, Kewell, Viduka
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Join Soccernet for live coverage of England v Australia, when youngster Wayne Rooney will make his record-breaking debut. Kick-off at 20.00 GMT