International Friendly Wrap: England Brush Wales Aside

England 3-0 Wales

England warmed up for their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-0 thrashing of Wales at Wembley Stadium.

The Three Lions made mass changes, with Bukayo Saka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting their first caps while goalkeeper Nick Pope retained his spot in goal. The visitors, meanwhile, were without key players like Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Hal Robson-Kanu.

Calvert-Lewin transferred his club form to the national team as he broke the deadlock for Gareth Southgate's charges on debut just before the half-hour mark with a header from Jack Grealish's delightful cross.

Conor Coady doubled the lead for England eight minutes from the break with a half-volley at the back post after a cross from Kieran Trippier.

Danny Ings put the game to bed with the third goal for the Three Lions just after the hour-mark with lovely overhead-kick from the centre of the six-yard box after a cushioned header by Tyrone Mings.

England will resume their UEFA Nations League campaign against Belgium on Sunday evening on home soil while Wales will restart the same tournament away to Ireland a little earlier on the same day.

Belgium 1-1 Ivory Coast

Belgium were denied victory after conceding a late penalty in a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast at King Baudouin Stadium.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez named a second string side, with Michy Batshuayi, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard leading the front-line. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast boasted some of their big Europe-based players in the line-up like Eric Bailly, Serge Aurier, Wilfried Zaha and Nicolas Pepe.

After a scoreless first-half, Batshuayi finally broke the deadlock for Belgium eight minutes inside the second stanza with a strike from close range after shot-stopper Sylvain Gbohouo saved his initial effort.

Ivory Coast were awarded a penalty in the last three minutes after Zaha was fouled inside the box, with Franck Kessie making no mistake from 12-yards to secure a draw for the Elephants.

Belgium will visit England in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday evening while the Elephants will play their second friendly against Japan on Tuesday afternoon before resuming their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.