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England will head for Brazil on a high note after the LIons cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over Peru at Wembley tonight in their last warm-up game in home soil.
Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring for the hosts in the first-half as the Liverpool forward made space at the edge of the box and curled in a magnificent effort into the top corner of the goal.
The centre-back duo of Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill put the final touches to the game as they headed in two goals in quick succession in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.
The score line looks more flattering than the actual game in which the South American caused their fair share of opportunities, only to lack a cutting edge in front of goal. With Joe Hart and Phil Jagielka producing moments of great defensive display when called upon to do so, the English were able to contain the Peruvian attacks.
Roy Hodgson’s England side in their final warm-up game looked close to what could be their opening XI at Brazil. Hodgson played the Liverpool duo of Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard as the base of the centre midfield with Adam Lallana included to add that creative spark. Up front Wayne Rooney was flanked on two sides by the speed of Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck and the guile of Daniel Sturridge.
The back five meanwhile consisted of the expected line-up of Hart, Baines, Jagielka, Cahill and Glenn Johnson.
The Peruvians had threatened earlier in the game with Jean Deza and Luis Ramirez threatening the Englis goal in the early going. The game however was rather a dull affair with most action confined to the midfield and the wings and not much incisiveness in play from both sides.
But the 32nd minute changed all that as a moment of magic from Daniel Sturridge’s left foot brought life into the whole occasion. However, that remained the only moment of inspiration that England could conjure up throughout the ninety-minutes, as their performance again exuberated discipline and precision rather than style and flair.
The English grew in confidence after the strike from the Liverpool forward and continued to control the game, having the Lion’s share of the possession. Peru meanwhile was left to feed off counters.
The game was by no means a stamp of authority by the Englishmen, but the way they dictated the pace of the game in the last hour would certainly give Roy Hodgson’s men confidence going into the all-important tournament.
England: 01 Hart, 02 Johnson, 03 Baines (Stones - 75' ), 14 Henderson, 05 Cahill, 06 Jagielka (Smalling - 73' ), 20 Lallana (Milner - 73' ), 04 Gerrard (Wilshere - 64' ), 09 Sturridge (Barkley - 82' ), 10 Rooney (Sterling - 66' ), 11 Welbeck
Peru: 01 Fernández, 17 Advincula (Velarde - 78' ), 19 Yotún, 04 Callens, 02 Rodríguez, 15 Ramos (Riojas - 68' ), 22 Deza (Ruidíaz - 66' ), 23 Ballón, 20 Ramírez (Hurtado - 60' ), 08 Cruzado Booked, 18 Carrillo (Flores - 86' )
