England vs Australia LIVE: Gareth Southgate makes wholesale changes for Socceroos clash by handing Chelsea’s Levi Colwill his Three Lions debut

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for the latest team news, scores and updates as England take on Australia at Wembley in an international friendly.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino calls for an 'immediate end to hostilities' in Israel and Palestine

The ongoing crisis in Israel and Palestine has encorporated much of tonight’s Wembley clash, most notably with England’s FA deciding against illuminating the Wembley arch.

FIFA has now weighed in on the situation in the Middle East by calling for an ‘immediate end’ to the violence.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for the ‘immediate end of hostilities’ between Israelis and Palestinians in a letter to the Israeli football association.

Infantino claimed football can be a ‘vehicle for peace’ and ‘light of hope where there appears to be only darkness ahead’ as the conflict escalates.

Australia's dismal record against England

The two opposite side of the world rivals have exchanged some sensational sporting battles over the years, think The Ashes and Rugby World Cup encounters, however football isn’t one of those.

England have won six of their last seven men’s football encounters against Australia with the Socceroos eventually managing to break their losing run 20-years ago.

The last time the two sides met each other was in 2016 when the Three Lions secured a 2-1 victory over a then-Ange Postecoglou managed Australia courtesy of goals from Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney.

AUSTRALIA TEAM NEWS

It’s a return to London for former Brighton and Arsenal goalkeeper Maty Ryan who captains the visitors from between the sticks.

Meanwhile, Leicester City defender Harry Souttar is also involved.

The big names are benched for England

It’s a new-look England team for tonight’s clash with some of the nation’s biggest names being rested and placed on the bench.

Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are amongst the substitutes and will most likely be happy to start there after being involved in plenty of club football recently.

Expect it to be a much-changed side again on Tuesday for their clash against Italy.

ENGLAND TEAM NEWS

Southgate sticks to his guns and does make some big changes by handing Levi Colwill his senior England debut while choosing to captain Jordan Henderson and place Harry Kane on the bench.

Police step in to quell Wembley unrest tonight

MATT HUGHES: The Met Police have increased the number of officers on duty at Wembley this evening amidst fears of unrest triggered by the horrific events in Israel and Gaza.

Mail Sport has been told that officers will arrest anyone expressing support for Hamas, Hezbollah or other terrorist organisations, and will work with stewards to confiscate any flags, shirts and scarves representing countries other than England and Australia.

Rabbi resigns over FA's decision NOT to light up Wembley in Israeli colours

The topic has been hotly debated given the ongoing crisis in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine and the FA decided against illuminating the Wembley arch in Israeli colours for tonight’s match.

However, the decision has caused the Rabbi who is the chair of the FA’s Faith in Football group to resign from his position.

Rabbi Alex Goldberg said the planned measures are not enough, especially given the arch was lit up to mark the invasion of Ukraine, terror attacks in France, Pele’s death and various causes célèbres.

Who are England's outsiders hoping to dislodge Southgate's favourites?

Make no bones about it, tonight is a friendly in every sense of the word and Gareth Southgate has explained that plenty of players within his squad will be handed a chance to show him they deserve to start in the big games.

The England manager has his favourites, Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire, and others, but there is a chance for the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Ollie Watkins to make a name for themselves tonight.

Mail Sport takes a look at the outsiders hoping to do exactly that below.

Good evening and welcome to Wembley

Good evening and thanks for joining us for full match coverage as England host Australia at Wembley in tonight’s international friendly.

Kick-off is at 8pm and we have plenty to cover between now and then to keep you busy.

TOP STORIES

Source: Read Full Article