Lambert’s goal lifts England past Scotland in friendly
LONDON — Rickie Lambert made a goal-scoring England debut at the age of 31 on Wednesday, clinching a 3-2 victory over Scotland as international football’s oldest rivals met for the first time in 14 years.
After England twice came from behind through Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck, Lambert produced the winner in the 70th minute, powering a header into the net four minutes after coming off the bench. “That’s what I’ve been dreaming of probably all my life,” he said. “It means so much.”
The striker was called up for the first time by coach Roy Hodgson after the former beetroot factory worker capped his rise from the fourth tier to the Premier League by scoring 15 goals for Southampton last season.
The goal spared England from being humbled by its neighbour in the 111th match between the sides after James Morrison and then Kenny Miller of the Vancouver Whitecaps put Scotland in front.
“We made life difficult for ourselves by conceding twice ... but it’s very satisfying to win a game like this,” said Hodgson. “And even more satisfying when you get a fairy-tale story like (Lambert) ... he’s technically a very good player and has great composure in front of goal.”
Yet concerns will linger for Hodgson about the goals conceded — the first time after goalkeeper Joe Hart’s blunder — with key World Cup qualifiers coming up.
England is second in its World Cup qualifying group, two points behind Montenegro with five games remaining. In September, England hosts Moldova before travelling to Ukraine.
While England is still in the hunt for a spot in Brazil next year, Scotland is already out of the running to qualify for its first major tournament since 1998.
Despite Scotland being ranked 36 spots below England in 50th place, that gulf wasn’t always evident on the Wembley Stadium pitch as the hosts relied on a newcomer to recover the victory in a game that was a friendly in name only.
“We’ve come here and put on a decent performance, got two goals at Wembley,” said Miller. “But unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get anything.”
Lambert was brought off the bench to replace Wayne Rooney, who played despite being missing all of Manchester United’s official pre-season games and Sunday’s Community Shield with injuries that coincided with his failed bid to leave the Premier League champions.
But it was never heated in the stands as fans between the two traditional rivals stayed calm and the authorities will be relieved that there was no evident crowd trouble.
It was the rampant hooliganism in the 1980s that led to the annual matches between the cross-border rivals being cancelled in 1989, the countries having first met in 1872.
But this relatively tranquil night in the Wembley rain will be remembered for the moment Lambert rose to meet Baines’ corner just a couple of minutes into his first England appearance.
“I was trying to play it cool as if it wasn’t bothering me but deep down I wanted to scream,” he said. “It was brilliant.”