Match Preview: England v Australia | International Friendly
Australia play England for the first time since 2016, going head-to-head at Wembley Stadium on Saturday morning (AEDT).
It will be the Subway Socceroos' inaugural match at the iconic venue in what promises to be another stern test for the Aussies.
READ MORE: Ultimate Guide: England vs Australia
Graham Arnold's men have taken on a run of challenging fixtures since the FIFA World Cup, facing Ecuador twice before meeting world champions Argentina.
The Subway Socceroos endured a frustrating match last time out, giving up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with 12th-ranked Mexico in the September window.
Harry Souttar nodded in emphatically from an early set piece before Martin Boyle made it a dream return to Socceroos duty, slamming home a spot kick an hour in.
While the match fell away for Australia, there were plenty of positives for the side they can take into this mammoth clash against giants England.
The Three Lions have demonstrated excellent form since the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, winning all but one of their matches.
Gareth Southgate’s team sit top of their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying group on 13 points from a possible 15.
Last window, they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Ukraine in the competition and later defeated Scotland 3-1 in a friendly.
England’s squad boasts high-profile names all over the pitch, however, they will be missing Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, the winger withdrawing with injury.
The side, though, have captain and striker Harry Kane, who has had a flying start to life in Germany with Bayern Munich, as well as in-form Tottenham creative midfielder James Maddison.
Interestingly, England selected no natural left-back for this window; right-footed Kieran Trippier is often the option for Southgate in that position.
England’s other defensive options are Manchester duo United’s Harry Maguire and City’s John Stones, while Chelsea’s Levi Colwill seeks his first senior international minutes.
When Australia faced England at the Stadium of Light seven years ago, they went down 2-1.
Marcus Rashford's swift debut goal and Wayne Rooney’s strike on 55 minutes had the hosts two up before Milos Degenek’s cross was diverted in to make a tense final 15 minutes.
Rashford will be looking to inflict more damage on the Aussies if he gets on the pitch on Saturday following Saka’s withdrawal.
The Socceroos have brought a squad to the United Kingdom comprising many regulars, including midfield general Jackson Irvine, who has recovered from injury.
A few familiar names have been recalled, such as Awer Mabil, who is coming into this one off the back of a great performance for Swiss side Grasshopper, notching a brace.
Additionally, Massimo Luongo is returning to the team for the first time since 2019 - the playmaker most famous for his heroics in the 2015 Asian Cup triumph.
Lewis Miller earns his first call-up to the Aussie squad after some solid form in Scotland, joining other Scottish Premiership representatives Ryan Strain, Martin Boyle, Kye Rowles, Keanu Baccus and Martin Boyle.
Riley McGree’s injury gives Aiden O’Neill the chance to come in following a start-shy first couple of months in Belgium with Standard Liege.
It will be another fierce test for Socceroos in the early hours of Saturday morning, with a chance to put a marker down to the rest of the world against one of Europe's best.
Current FIFA Rankings
Australia - 27
England - 4
Head-to-head vs England
Played: 7
Wins: 1
Draws: 2
Losses: 4
Insights
- Australian midfielder Riley McGree has four goal contributions in his last four games for Middlesborough, scoring three and assisting one
- England midfielder Jude Bellingham has the most goals (1.07, 8) and most goals and assists out of any player in La Liga (1.34, 10) - both per 90 and overall, whilst also having the most shots on target in the league (15)
- Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan has saved 1.9 goals according to xG metrics in the Eredivisie this campaign, the third highest of any player in the competition
- English striker Ollie Watkins has six goal contributions in his last three Premier League matches and ranks third in the league for goals and assists combined this campaign
- In his first start in the Swiss Super League, Awer Mabil netted two goals and gained an assist, while also having the joint most goals of any player in the Socceroos squad (9)
- Callum Wilson ranks second in the Premier League for shots per 90 (4.77) and first for shots on target per 90 (3.41) this season, whilst ranking 6th and 5th for those stats respectively at the end of last campaign
What they said
Graham Arnold
Facing England
England are a fantastic team as I said and Gareth Southgate is a great coach, wonderful man. And I look forward to seeing him tomorrow night. And again we're very appreciative of the invitation to play here and we're looking forward to the match.
On what would constitute success
Win. And that's not being arrogant. It's just the mentality, we have it every time you go on the park, we're not going out there to try not to lose, you know, or try to draw. We're going out to win. That's the approach we always have.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1712270766681780543
On bringing Ange Postecoglou and Guus Hiddink into camp
I've got a special relationship with both. I've known Ange for 40 odd years and played against him, coached against him and worked with him so we've had a great connection for years and with Guus he's pretty much a mentor to me, like a brother, father. I've got to be careful what I say because he's not that old. But he's always been a great man to me and a great mentor to me and I worked under Guus at the 2006 World Cup, as his assistant. It's just the culture that we bring, I think when you see the Socceroos and the Matildas really bring the nation together. And that's the culture of the national teams. And this isn't my team.
This is the nation's team and the respect that we have for ex players. We had me Mile Jedinak and that at training yesterday. Also, as you said with Ange and Guus coming in, that they're legends of the sport and you know, they belong so firmly in the Socceroos and as I said it's not my team and the boys get inspired by those type of people. Some of the generation The older generation look back at what Guus did for us qualifying us for the first time in 32 years, and really changed things for the national team we've qualified ever since. And with Ange with everything that he's done for Australian football and and what he's doing for Tottenham now is amazing and the whole country is proud of him and it was a really great moment to have him with us.
Harry Souttar
On looking forward to the match
I'm just really looking forward to it. I know I said before, when, when the fixture got released, it was one that all the boys couldn't wait for and obviously coming into camp earlier this week and just seeing the energy levels from everyone. And yeah, we're ready for the game and hopefully it's a good result for us.
On difficult start to season with Leicester City
It's been an up and down season for me personally. Obviously had a few discussion with the manager, really open and honest and pre-season. I've obviously not been playing as much as I'd like, and it's probably a different role for me this season in terms of not going to start every week. But he made it clear to the group that everyone is needed. If we're going to have a successful season and be up there and get promoted, then every member of the squad is needed. So it's just about being ready when called upon. And I felt like I've done that, obviously, with a defeat in the (League) Cup (against Liverpool). But my first start in the league on Saturday, I felt like I acquitted myself well, and that's all I can do is be ready when called upon.
How to watch
The matches against England and New Zealand will be broadcast live and free on Australia's 'Home of Football,' Network 10 with coverage beginning from 5:30am AEDT.
The international friendly will also be streamed live via both 10 Play and Paramount+. International fans, stay tuned for more information around how you can watch the game.
As always be sure to check your local guides closer to the game.
Upcoming matches
England v Australia - International Friendly
Friday, 13 October
Wembley Stadium, London UK
Kick-off: 7.45pm local / 5.45am AEDT (Saturday, 14 October)
Australia v New Zealand - International Friendly
Tuesday, 17 October
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London UK
Kick-off: 7.45pm local / 5.45am AEDT (Wednesday, 18 October)
Tickets: Purchase Here
