England recorded their 600th international victory when they beat rivals Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park in a friendly on Tuesday night.
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham starred for the Three Lions with a goal and an assist, while Phil Foden and Harry Kane also got their names on the scoresheet as Gareth Southgate's men ended Scotland's perfect record in 2023.
After strikes from both Foden and Bellingham put England in control at the break, a second-half own goal from substitute Harry Maguire gave the Tartan Army hope of a comeback, but Kane restored the visitors' two-goal cushion nine minutes from time to claim the bragging rights against Steve Clarke's side in Glasgow.
Hampden Park was honored by hosting the 116th match between England and Scotland to mark the 150th anniversary of the first meeting between the two home nations back in November 1872.
After a deafening sound of Scotland boos rang around Hampden Park for England's national anthem, the Three Lions began the contest in control of proceedings, but both nations struggled to pose a real threat in the final third, with the best chance in the first half-hour falling to Foden, who skied a decent opportunity well over from inside the area.
Kyle Walker, who scored his first England goal in a 1-1 draw against Ukraine last weekend, then fired an effort from a tight angle through several bodies and wide of the far post, but the England right-back managed to combine with Manchester City teammate Foden, albeit in somewhat fortunate circumstances, for the opening goal on the 32-minute mark.
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After receiving the ball from Marcus Rashford on the right side of the penalty area, Walker lashed a strike into the six-yard area, and his wayward shot was expertly directed into the back of the net with a first-time touch from Foden, who celebrated his fourth goal for the Three Lions.
Two minutes and 47 seconds later, England doubled their lead courtesy of a composed strike from Bellingham, who capitalised on a defensive error from Andrew Robertson to slot home his sixth goal in as many appearances for club and country so far this season.
The Real Madrid man started the move with some silky link-up play with Foden down the left before the latter's wicked cross into the danger zone fell to Robertson, who was unable to adjust his feet and eventually flicked the ball straight to Bellingham to place a first-time finish beyond Angus Gunn.
England were in cruise control as temperatures began to rise between both teams towards the end of the half when Kalvin Phillips harshly received the first booking of the match for what appeared to be a strong but fair tackle on Che Adams – Scotland were unable to take advantage of the resulting free kick, though, and England boasted a two-goal half-time lead against the Tartan Army for the first time since November 1999.
Southgate made one tactical change at half time with Maguire coming on for Marc Guehi at centre-back, while Scotland waited until the 59th minute to make two attacking changes in the form of Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie, who replaced Adams and Billy Gilmour.
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As England took their foot off the gas, Scotland put theirs on the accelerator and showed a greater urgency in the final third, with Christie firstly firing a low-driven strike well wide shortly after Lewis Dunk had brilliantly blocked a shot from Aaron Hickey following a neat one-two with John McGinn on the edge of the area.
Scotland's efforts to get back into the game were eventually rewarded in the 67th minute when Roberson bizarrely found himself down the right wing and placed a low cross into the danger zone, where Maguire stuck his leg out and directed the ball into his own net.
However, England responded well and almost restored their two-goal cushion when substitute Eberechi Eze ran through on goal moments after coming on, but Gunn stood his ground to keep the Crystal Palace man out.
England made no mistake nine minutes from time, though, and Bellingham capped a marvelous display by turning on the edge of the box and setting up Kane with a perfectly-weighted through-ball before the Bayern Munich striker slotted home a composed left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
The Three Lions will return to international action when they play host to Australia in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on October 13, while Scotland will look to seal qualification for Euro 2024 in their next match away against Group A rivals Spain a day earlier.
Oliver Thomas
