England vs Ivory Coast LIVE: Result, final score and reaction from international fixture
Relive all the action from Wembley as the Three Lions continued their World Cup preparations
Stand-in skipper Raheem Sterling set up one and scored another as England cruised to victory in a friendly against Ivory Coast that felt more like a training match after Serge Aurier’s sending off.
Gareth Southgate made 10 changes from Saturday’s comeback win against well-drilled Switzerland as World Cup preparations continued with a first-ever senior international meeting of these nations.
Sterling crossed for Ollie Watkins’ opener and added a second shortly after Aurier’s first-half sending off, with many having left Wembley by the time Tyrone Mings headed home to make it 3-0 at the death. Relive all the action below:
England vs Ivory Coast: Three Lions line-up
England XI: Pope, White, Mings, Maguire, Mitchell, Bellingham, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Sterling, Watkins, Grealish
England vs Ivory Coast
This will be the first ever meeting between England and Cote d’Ivoire in international football.
England are unbeaten in all 19 previous matches against African countries with 13 wins and six draws.
This their first meeting against a side from the continent since beating Tunisia 2-1 at the 2018 World Cup thanks to a brace from Harry Kane.
Southgate on selection and new players
Gareth Southgate has used 100 players during his tenure as England head coach and says he hopes that his time in charge has created an environment where any player can become the best version of themselves.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s fixture with Ivory Coast, Southgate touched on what it’s like for new players to come into the team.
John Stones to miss England clash with Ivory Coast after returning to Manchester City
John Stones will miss England’s friendly against Ivory Coast having left the camp as an injury precaution.
The 27-year-old was due to start Saturday’s 2-1 friendly win against Switzerland, only to be replaced by Ben White after pulling up in the warm-up.
Boss Gareth Southgate said Stones “felt a bit of tightness” before that match and the Football Association has confirmed he will play no part against the Ivorians on Tuesday.
John Stones to miss England clash with Ivory Coast after returning to Manchester City
The Football Association has confirmed he will play no part against the Ivorians on Tuesday
England vs Ivory Coast
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of England’s international friendly against Ivory Coast as Gareth Southgate’s men continue their preparations for the World Cup.
Harry Kane’s penalty completed a 2-1 comeback win against Switzerland at the weekend as Kyle Walker-Peters and Marc Geuhi made their full debuts, while Tyrick Mitchell came off the bench to win his maiden cap.
Southgate is working to finalise the squad he will take to Qatar and the players will have another chance to impress this evening especially in the absence of Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho who were notably left out of this month’s two friendlies.
Ivory Coast will prove to be a tricky encounter though. They took France to the closing minutes of the game in their match with the world champions. Nicolas Pepe’s opening goal was cancelled out by Olivier Giroud before Aurelien Tchouameni’s last-gasp effort gave France a well-fought 2-1 victory.
Tonight’s match will be the first time England hav played Ivory Coast in international football.
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