Calvert-Lewin nets debut goal as England win Wales friendly
In-form Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted on his England debut as Gareth Southgate’s experimental side beat Wales 3-0 in Thursday’s friendly.
Calvert-Lewin opened the scoring at Wembley with his 10th goal this season after netting nine times in six games for Everton.
The moment you dream about as a kid ๐ฆ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ pic.twitter.com/NoR8wCb4Nf
— Dominic Calvert-Lewin (@CalvertLewin14) October 8, 2020
The first time three players have all scored their first #ThreeLions goals in the same game since 1963! ๐ฑ pic.twitter.com/XifqYVDFNQ
— England (@England) October 8, 2020
The 23-year-old’s first half strike was followed by another maiden England goal as Wolves defender Conor Coady struck after the interval.
On his first England start, Southampton striker Danny Ings got the third goal — his first for his country — with a fine overhead kick.
With Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho missing following their Covid-19 breach and a squad packed with players who have already featured heavily for their clubs, Southgate turned to his understudies before England’s Nations League matches against Belgium on Sunday and Denmark on Wednesday.
An excellent debut!
Well done, @BukayoSaka87 ๐ pic.twitter.com/BUqFZlQSYj
— England (@England) October 8, 2020
It was an encouraging display for the England manager as the least experienced Three Lions team in 44 years, with a total of 54 caps, gave him some food for thought.
Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish provided the assist for Calvert-Lewin’s goal and was a lively presence in his first England start.
Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka lined up at left wing-back and the debutant gradually grew into the game, while Nick Pope replaced error-prone Jordan Pickford in goal and produced a composed display.
Great performance. Congrats to the lads on their debuts and first goals. ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ https://t.co/GnOjGEs7SJ
— Harry Kane (@HKane) October 8, 2020
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Wales, without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, were beaten for the first time in nine games dating back to June 2019.
They remain without a win over England since 1984, but boss Ryan Giggs had one eye on their Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria.