England 3 Mexico 1

England were comprehensively outplayed by Mexico in the first period, yet somehow the Three Lions led 2-1 at half-time. Mexico played an assertive 4-3-3 formation, pressing England high up the pitch. James Milner and Michael Carrick were overrun in central-midfield, whilst full-backs Leighton Baines and Glen Johnson were prevented from advancing. Peter Crouch and Wayne Rooney were accordingly isolated in attack. As England were unable to operate with any collective fluidity, they were reliant on isolated examples of individual attacking play. Theo Walcott showed some good bursts of pace on his flank, but poor decision-making meant that he failed to link up with his teammates. Although Mexico dominated the first 15 minutes, England were gifted a corner which led to their first goal. Steven Gerrard launched a cross to the far post which was nodded back across goal by Crouch, and Ledley King headed home from six yards.

Mexico continued to dominate after the goal. Robert Green made a great save from Vela, after the Arsenal player was allowed a clear run at goal following some poor defending. Salcido then hit the post with a curling shot. Gerrard tucked inside increasingly in the endeavour to assist Milner and Carrick, but England still struggled to retain any possession. However, at about the half-hour mark they did manage to string some passes together in an advanced position, which yielded a further corner. Rooney’s header from Gerrard’s cross was tipped onto the bar by Perez – Crouch knocked in the rebound with his arm. Mexico did score a deserved goal in added time. Baines failed to clear a Marquez header, and Franco tapped in from close range.

A two-goal advantage was rapidly restored early in the second-half courtesy of a Glen Johnson wonder goal! He made an assertive run infield and curled an impressive shot past Perez. Capello tweaked the approach following the break with England playing a more symmetrical 4-4-2. Jermain Defoe joined Rooney in attack, whilst Gerrard took up a central-midfield slot, with Milner moving out to the left. England measured up to the visitors much more satisfactorily in the second period and Mexico’s dominance was eroded. The tradition of Capello making purposeful in-game interventions was thus sustained. Few clear chances were created, but Gerrard and Aaron Lennon were both fouled when progressing into clear goalscoring positions.

The victory may reinforce England’s confidence, but Mexico’s dominance in the first-half was worrying. A Milner/Carrick central-midfield axis was insufficiently robust in this fixture, although Gareth Barry (if fit) and Frank Lampard should return to the team for South Africa. The defence also looked decidedly shaky at times. Whilst this was only a friendly, on this form, England won’t win the World Cup! [Selected ratings feature below.]

7 Robert Green: Some excellent saves. England’s no.1!

6 Steven Gerrard: Added some much needed presence to central-midfield in the second-half.
6 Wayne Rooney: Excellent turn in first-half to run clear of Osorio, he also linked up tidily with fellow attackers without consistently asserting himself.
6 Glen Johnson: Cracking goal, but otherwise not as visible in attack as usual. The soundest member of a not particularly sound defence in the first period!
6 Joe Hart: Not tested as much as Green, but looked confident enough.
6 Jermain Defoe: Looked bright and was involved in a couple of neat moves.

5 Theo Walcott: Bursts of pace unsettled the Mexican defence, but no end product.
5 James Milner: Overrun in tandem with Carrick, but kept battling and performed well enough when moved wide.
5 Peter Crouch: Assist and (dubious) goal, but otherwise a fairly marginal presence.
5 Ledley King: Given the slip by Franco early on and central-defence was highly porous.

4 Rio Ferdinand: Appeared to be the most culpable of England’s defenders during first-half disarray.
4 Michael Carrick: Failed to impose himself and some distribution was wayward.
4 Leighton Baines: A few errors and beaten by the winger much too easily on one occasion.