England rides on Watkins goal to beat Australia in friendly

LONDON: In the absence of Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins continued his hot goal-scoring form on Friday to lead England to a 1-0 win against Australia at Wembley Stadium.

Watkins has already scored two hat-tricks for Aston Villa this season and seized his chance to make an impres-sion ahead of next year’s European Championship as Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate named an experimental team for the friendly match.

In his first appearance for his nation in 19 months, he slid in to convert from close range in the 57th-minute for the only goal of the game as England warmed up for Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy with a win.

“I knew I wasn’t going to come off this pitch without the goal, that was in my mind,” Watkins said.

Southgate showed his appreciation by greeting the striker with a hug when he was substituted later in the match. Agencies

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