England began 2022 by coming from behind to beat Switzerland 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley, as Harry Kane edged closer to Wayne Rooney’s all-time scoring record with the winner from the penalty spot.
The Three Lions’ first match of a World Cup year got off to a bad start when Breel Embolo headed the visitors in front after 22 minutes.
Luke Shaw equalised on the stroke of half-time with a firm strike and Kane won it from 12 yards after Steven Zuber was deemed to have handled Marc Guehi’s cross following a VAR check.
Dan Kilpatrick was at Wembley to rate the England players…
Jordan Pickford 7
Made three eye-catching saves to keep England in it in the first half, although, for two, he pushed the ball back into a dangerous area.
Ben White 6
Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross evaded him for the Swiss goal in a difficult moment. Showed his versatility by playing the final 30 minutes at right-back, getting forward well.
Connor Coady 7
The senior centre-half on the day commanded the defence well in an imposing defensive display. Kept it simple with the ball.
Marc Guehi 7
A threat at attacking set pieces, and won the penalty when his headed was handled by Zuber. Grew into the game and did not look out of place.
Kyle Walker-Peters 7
Lively and confident on debut. Got forward well, striking the post in the first half, and won back possession for Shaw’s goal.
Jordan Henderson 6
Solid but unspectacular in the middle of the park. Kept the ball moving but offered little going forward.
Conor Gallagher 8
Involved in all of England’s best moments in an eye-catching display. Assisted Shaw’s goal with a cutback and set up a fine chance for Kane in the second half.
Luke Shaw 7
Scored with a crisp near-post finish, reminiscent of his goal against Italy, to drag England level.
Mason Mount 5
Quiet. His most notable contribution was to get out of the way of Shaw’s strike for the goal, and a second-half corner, headed wide by Guehi.
Phil Foden 7
England’s best moments of the first half came when he ran beyond Kane. He was lively but not at his sparkling best.
Harry Kane 7
Scored an unstoppable penalty to inch closer to Wayne Rooney’s record but otherwise quiet by his standards. Missed his only chance from open play, with Jonas Omlin saving 1v1.
Subs
Declan Rice (Gallagher 61’) 6
Shielded the defence and kept the ball well in a calm run out.
Jack Grealish (Mount 61’) 7
Added a spark from to England’s attack and his corner led to the penalty incident.
Raheem Sterling (Walker-Peters 61’) 7
Created a chance for Coady with a cute cross and switched play nicely on a couple of occasions.
Tyrick Mitchell (Shaw 61’) 6
Solid debut. With England switching to a back four, he did not have the same licence to get forward as Shaw or Walker-Peters.
Jude Bellingham (Foden 78’) 7
Looked composed and confident on the ball, as usual.
Ollie Watkins (Kane 88’) N/A
Late cameo for Kane.
