England

Harry Kane scored the winner from the penalty spot in England's 2-1 friendly victory over Switzerland at Wembley.

He lashed a drive high and it was his cross that deflected out for the corner which led to the penalty. White’s fortunes improved after he was switched to right-back in the reshuffle in the 60th minute. In the previous phase of play, Silvan Widmer looked to have broken into an offside position but it was not spotted. And it was the same with Harry Kane, when he addressed the subsequent penalty. Foden would be moved to a No 10 role on the hour when Southgate made four changes and went to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Zuber had jumped for a corner with his back to the ball and, although his arm was away from his body, he knew very little about it when Marc Guéhi, the England debutant, thudded a header into him.

It makes sense that Gareth Southgate is rotating his England squad and assessing all options ahead of the World Cup, but there's still work to do.

That would be the first time in a long time we've started without either Rice or Phillips and it was important that we were able to see that because they've been significant in terms of that defensive solidity and balance of the team. Kane nudged himself closer to Wayne Rooney's goals record -- the penalty was his 49th international goal, taking him level with Sir Bobby Charlton and just four shy of the Derby County manager -- and Southgate joked afterwards that he'd like the Tottenham forward to break it in December's World Cup final. Jordan Pickford was helpless to prevent Embolo's goal, but he did make a fine save from Granit Xhaka's low drive moments earlier, and an even better stop just afterwards as he turned Frei's effort onto the crossbar. John Stones added to that group with a tight adductor sustained in the warm-up, meaning Ben White was drafted in around half an hour before kick-off. "The system was to try to get the players in the squad through the two games in areas of the pitch where they would be really comfortable," said Southgate. "We were a bit too quick to go and press the centre-backs and it opened up too much space. Perhaps mindful of fielding an inexperienced team, with Marc Guehi and Kyle Walker-Peters making their senior debuts against a side unbeaten in 11 previous internationals, Southgate laced his line-up with that inherent caution from the outset on Saturday.

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Ben made a small error for the goal but the rest of his game was very good, on and off the ball. That means there’s never a camp where it looks like he doesn’t want to be involved, and that mentality spreads through the rest of the group.” “He looks favourite to go on and break the record,” Southgate said. Kyle Walker-Peters and Marc Guéhi both made their senior debuts, with Tyrick Mitchell coming off the bench to do the same, and Southgate singled out Guéhi and his central defensive partner Ben White for praise. “First half we found it quite difficult but I felt like second half it opened up a bit and we started to play better and create more chances.” We fell behind, we had tactical problems to solve, we had to defend properly, and of course towards the end we were able to get more experience and some top players onto the pitch which made us finish strongly as well.”

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I want to make a difference and hopefully from inside the dressing room there has been a change and if they decide they want to give me a job I’d certainly take it. “It was just two bad sessions and that is the area we have to keep looking at: making better decisions more frequently under pressure as a batting group. It has cost us the series and that is such a frustration for myself and the whole group, because we have done so much good throughout this trip. A full-time appointment is expected before England’s next Test fixture, against New Zealand in June. “I’ve enjoyed the last few weeks,” he said. “For the majority of this series we played so much good cricket and made big strides forward as a team,” he said. “We are making strides forward as a team,” Root said.

England were handed a 10-wicket hammering by the West Indies early on day four of the third Test in Grenada to go five Test series without victory.

Initially not given on the field, DRS again overturned the decision to end the England innings. Woakes couldn't cash in on the reprieve, and with him back in the hutch, Leach (4) nicked off in Roach's next over to end the innings. England were handed a 10-wicket hammering by the West Indies early on day four of the third Test in Grenada to go five Test series without victory.

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The chase was as straightforward as it sounds. Chris Woakes and Jack Leach both faced more than 50 balls and their partnership of 15 took 14 overs to compile. The first two matches were drawn, but West Indies knocked out England’s top order in Grenada, giving them no chance.

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“He’s always played well for us,” Southgate added. “Look, there is competition for everybody’s position and that’s what we want. Players who come in perform well at the level and the team march on. “We want to keep all of the squad involved. “I thought Marc did exactly what I’ve seen him do. “We’re certain it’s not too serious.

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Assisted Shaw’s goal with a cutback and set up a fine chance for Kane in the second half. Overall, it was a good way to start the year.” “Penalties are a great way of getting on the scoresheet, I practice and work on them a lot. I will be ready for Tuesday but it is down to the manager.” “It was a tough game. Kept the ball moving but offered little going forward. I’m not saying I don’t at United but here, the way things are, I feel wanted and I enjoy my football. Lively and confident on debut. There was little to separate the sides for much of the second period, but Kane took his chance from the penalty spot to give his side the win. Harry Kane on target again for England, but he knows there is a bigger picture as the team look to build towards the World Cup at the end of the year. Harry Kane drew level with Sir Bobby Charlton as he scored the winner from the penalty spot to give England a 2-1 win over Switzerland at Wembley. There was precious little action at either end after the break and the match was decided with a VAR-assisted penalty decision as Steven Zuber handled Marc Guehi’s header and Kane slammed in the spot kick to get England off to a winning start in 2022.

England face Switzerland in a friendly at Wembley as the Three Lions step up their preparations for this year's World Cup in Qatar.

We talked at half-time that we would change it and with the quality of players to come in that accelerated the performance. He ended up with a victory against a good international side, and so the last time England actually lost a game inside 90 minutes was in November 2020. Will the introductions of Grealish and Sterling give England more attacking momentum? England struggled to clear the danger following that Xhaka chance. It is hard on a spring night in north west London to throw yourself forwards to a November tournament in the Middle East. But that is exactly what Gareth Southgate must do. Ironically, it was the kind of thing many were calling for in the summer: ‘Just throw on the attackers and let them play.’ Here was the antidote. You know if you do that then the switch of play to the opposite full back can be a problem. And that might yet be the weakness which costs England their best shot at World Cup glory in 56 years. The system pretty much left Jordan Henderson a 40m x 40m space to patrol. And don’t forget England were up against the vanquishers of Italy in World Cup qualifying and so indirectly responsible for Italian ignominy and their failure to make Qatar last week. England have just played in a World Cup semi-final and a Euro final under his stewardship, unimaginable heights for England fans under the age of 60. That summer’s night also re-awakened a persistent and nagging doubt when watching Gareth Southgate’s England. The manager is such an admirable figure, so adept at leading this group of young men on and off the pitch, that sometimes we forget the actual football.

England 2-1 Switzerland: Shaw and Kane net for the Three Lions after Embolo's opener amid a much-changed line-up.

The introduction of Jack Grealish received the loudest cheer of the second half up until that point and it was from his corner that England won the decisive penalty. Guehi’s header of Grealish’s corner struck him on the arm, which could be said to be in an unnatural position, but his back was turned and he knew little about it. It was at the same end as his third-minute opener in the European Championship final, from a similar switch of play, though obviously a goal of lesser consequence. It said everything about their fluency in possession up to that point that the equaliser came from a rather aimless Henderson punt into the corner but this group of players are nothing if not hard-working, and some tenacious pressing by Foden allowed Walker-Peters to cut out Frei’s pass deep in Swiss territory. It was not dissimilar to the system used with success in Russia in 2018. To be honest, there was not much of a rhythm to the game before that either.

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And he did not look out of place nor lack confidence, driving at Switzerland’s defenders, on one occasion opting against a cross to Mount or Foden to cut inside and curl for the far corner with his left, the ball headed over. Conor Gallagher, the 22-year-old making strides on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea, did his chances no harm with a strong performance starting on the right of central midfield. And that’s the barometer Southgate has set, the heavy weight of success he wears around his neck. This is why Southgate is content to let criticism of his seven-defender formations wash over him while England patiently progress to the latter tournament stages. No Sterling, unable to train fully during the week due to an engagement with the Royals in Jamaica. No Trippier, injured. It was their worst result of the qualifying campaign for the Qatar World Cup.

England openside Marlie Packer scored a hat-trick as the Red Roses cruised to an opening 57-5 Six Nations victory over Scotland in Edinburgh.

Sarah Hunter captained the side from No 8, Maud Muir started at loosehead prop, while Marlie Packer started at openside to earn her 80th cap. No 8 Jade Konkel, who missed last year as she completed her training with London Fire Brigade, picked up her 50th cap. Scotland knocked on deep in England half with less than 30 seconds of half to go and would pay dearly for it, as once a scrum penalty was forced, England kicked to touch and prop Sarah Bern did the rest, dummying and charging forward before offloading for Infante to score two minutes into dead time of the first half. As it was, England took the lead with virtually their first attack on nine minutes as after scrum-half Infante quick-tapped and ran a penalty to get right up to the Scotland line, where openside Packer got over from close range. England welcomed back Emily Scarratt at 13 after 11 months out with a broken leg. England openside Marlie Packer scored a hat-trick as the Red Roses cruised to an opening 57-5 Six Nations victory over Scotland in Edinburgh.

The Alzheimer's Society hopes collaborating with the FA will raise crucial funds for support services and help tackle stigma around the condition.

people need to talk openly about it and know they have some network they can go to.” It predicts around 225,000 people will develop dementia in 2022. The FA partnered with the leading dementia charity and the organisations will work together for the next two seasons on a number of initiatives.

England dominated Scotland as seven players took to the scoreboard to leave the final result at Scotland 5-57 England.

Scotland spent the first 10 minutes of the second half camped in England’s 22 but only had a disallowed try to show for it. Scotland refused to fade and fought hard in the second half. But when they had the ball they showed patience and clean hands. Helena Rowland is a fly-half but she attacks the line and welcomes the collision like a back-rower. Three England tries in nine minutes secured the bonus point and ended the contest. The rout began on eight minutes when the impressive Leanne Infante tapped quickly from a penalty and cut up field.

Follow live updates from the first match in the 2022 Women's Six Nations at DAM Health Stadium.

Scotland try to build from their own half, they kick away and England come away with it. England’s defence has been incredible but Scotland have shot themselves in the foot on many occasions. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. They got nine tries, a hat-trick from Marlie Packer, and their returning star Scarratt had a great game. They put their body on the line for me so I do it for them.” The only thing they need to go better on is their conversion rate. “I don’t enjoy the training side as much as the playing side! Of course England weren’t perfect today but they’ll be sharper after today’s match as it was the first time they have played since the autumn internationals. It’s quite fitting for my 80th cap and mother’s day tomorrow. Scarratt would play 58 minutes and finish with a 10-point haul after England went over six times in the opening half. Follow all the reaction from this Women's Six Nations opener with our live blog below: It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after a broken leg last year.

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49 min: Kane and Shaw combine well down the left to win a corner. The ball’s rolled right to left across the face of the Swiss box by Gallagher. Shaw, racing in, creams a drive from the edge of the area into the top left! 48 min: Rodriguez bowls Gallagher to the floor, out on the right flank. 51 min: Shaqiri releases Steffen down the right with a crisp backheel. 54 min: Vargas worms his way down the left and wins a corner off White. Shaqiri takes. 77 min: The referee draws a TV screen in the air and points to the spot! 56 min: England started the second half briskly, but Switzerland are beginning to establish a level of calm control. 60 min: Mbabu drives down the right and wins a corner. 72 min: White buys a ticket to the raffle from 25 yards. He tries to find Sterling with a low cross but the ball’s blocked out for a corner. The ball’s half cleared to Kane, who looks for number 50 with a fierce volley, but it’s blocked and it turns out Bellingham had been a bit bellicose in the challenge earlier in the move, and the whistle goes. It was a good performance, obviously there’s room for us to improve, but it’s a good win to start the year.

The home team never looked remotely capable of pulling off an upset as their four-game winning run was ended emphaticall.

In the second half we made too many errors, gave too many penalties away and couldn’t control the tempo of the game. In the second half we were very good defensively – but we had to be. That moment was an instance of the extra defensive work England had to perform in the second half, but those chores did not entirely sap their energy, and they soon extended their lead when Holly Aitchison touched down from a chip into in-goal. We spoke at the end of how pleased we were with the pride and the fight they showed in that last 20 minutes, but we cannot give a team a 40-minute start against us. Rollie’s try came after quarter of an hour, and followed a penalty that was sent to touch on the right. “I felt both defensively and in attack in the second half we put England under a bit of pressure.