England take on Australia for the first time in more than seven years, in their final friendly of the 2023 season.
The last time these two sides met was at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in 2016 when England, under the command of Roy Hodgson, secured a 2-1 victory thanks to a 75th-minute winner from Wayne Rooney.
In total, the Three Lions have played the Socceroos on seven occasions, winning four times and drawing twice. Only two of those fixtures have come on home soil − the game at Sunderland in 2016 and a match at West Ham’s former ground Upton Park in 2003, when England slumped to a 3-1 defeat.
Gareth Southgate’s side come into the game off the back of a mixed set of results. After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Ukraine in August, the side rallied to win 3-1 win away against Scotland, with Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane all getting onto the scoresheet.
Australia will be hoping for a change of fortune having not managed a win in their last three fixtures. Their latest result was a 2-2 draw against Concacaf Gold Cup winners Mexico in September.
When is it?
England take on Australia on Friday October 13, with the match kicking off at 7.45pm. The clash comes just four days before the Three Lions line up against Italy for a Euro 2024 qualifier on October 17.
Where is the match taking place?
Gareth Southgate’s side host the Socceroos under the arch at Wembley Stadium for the first time in the fixture’s history.
What TV channel is it on?
The Wembley clash is scheduled to be broadcast on Channel 4. The state-owned broadcaster last year took over the rights to show the Nations League and European Qualifiers until Euro 2024.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets for this match are still available and can be purchased via the official Wembley Stadium website.
What are England saying?
By Mike McGrath
Anthony Gordon and Angel Gomes have put themselves on Gareth Southgate’s radar for England after having impressive starts to the season and winning the Under-21 European Championships.
Southgate has also had an eye on James Trafford, the hero from the Euros triumph in the summer, and watched the Burnley goalkeeper at Turf Moor at the weekend for his team’s defeat to Manchester United.
England’s friendly against Australia on October 13 could give an opportunity for players to push for a call-up. This will be followed by a Euro qualifier against Italy four days later when Southgate’s team can take the next step to next year’s finals tournament in Germany.
Gordon started for the Under-21s in the summer as a striker but has been effective for Newcastle on the left flank, scoring two goals and creating two with assists.
He has spoken of his determination to break into the full England squad and add competition to an area where Southgate picked Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and James Maddison, while Raheem Sterling was not recalled.
Gomes, 23, has played regularly for Lille in France for the last year having left Manchester United in 2020. After a loan spell at Boavista in Portugal he has returned to Ligue 1 and caught the eye in his defensive-midfield role.
He was highly rated at United but could not agree a new deal, with United since looking to fill that position and eventually signing Sofyan Amrabat this summer in an initial loan with an option to buy.
Gordon and Gomes have graduated from the Under-21s while Trafford is still eligible. The 20-year-old sealed a move from Manchester City to Burnley in the summer and has been first choice under Vincent Kompany.
He is highly rated among England staff and was the hero at the Under-21 Euros when he saved a penalty in the final against Spain.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Australia, Southgate said: “This will be a good challenge for us as Australia performed well at the World Cup despite against having four tough opponents.
“I imagine there will be a strong Aussie contingent in London for both games. We all know the sporting rivalry between our two countries and that alone will add an extra edge.”
