Fabio Capello’s England side played their last home friendly before the World Cup and left the Wembley faithful happy after a 3-1 win over Mexico. Goals from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and a first in England colours for fullback Glen Johnson were only punctured by a first half injury time strike from a hobbling Carlos Salcido. However, the fact that first half keeper Robert Green was forced into making a few decent saves together with a few second half scares will leave the Italian in no doubts as to where the main concentration of training must lie.

Defensive frailties aside, there were some positives for England. Tottenham Hotspur’s Ledley King played the full ninety minutes after a nightmare with injuries that have kept him out of the international reckoning for the best part of three years. Jamie Carragher returned from the international wilderness to play the whole of the second half and steadied the ship a little. Johnson’s classy strike probably all but sealed his plane ticket to South Africa whilst Walcott, Lennon and, in a shorter timescale, Manchester City’s Adam Johnson all had cameo’s and showed flashes of what they can produce giving Fabio Capello one of his nicer problems – who to take and who goes on holiday.

Peter Crouch continued his impressive England form with his 21^st goal in 38 appearances although whether it went in off his chest or shoulder or arm is anyone’s guess. That he was a good yard offside when Rooney first headed towards goal is immaterial.

England now head to Austria to play fellow finalists Japan in their final game prior to the trimming down of the 30 to 23. Several places would still appear to be up for grabs.