Rashford Stakes Claim For Place In England Squad

Marcus Rashford scored three minutes into his international debut as England beat Australia 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.

In the final friendly before Roy Hodgson has to name his 23-man squad for the European Championships, Rashford took advantage of Daniel Sturridge's absence through injury to become England's youngest ever debutant scorer.

Substitute Wayne Rooney hammered home just after half-time to net his 52nd goal for his country before an Eric Dier own-goal handed Australia a goal their performance merited.

Attention now turns to Hodgson, who has to name his squad before Tuesday's deadline.

John Stones, Jack Wilshere and Raheem Sterling were the only players picked who started Sunday's 2-1 win against Turkey in Manchester.

Rashford only broke into the Manchester United first-team in February but has won the FA Cup and now become England's third youngest ever scorer by netting 138 seconds into his debut.

After releasing Sterling down the left, Rashford then saw the ball drop perfectly into his path in the area and he thrashed the ball home on the volley.

The Socceroos weren't there just to make up the numbers though and showed good enthusiasm to force a couple of openings that needed John Stones and Chris Smalling to be on their game.

Adam Lallana had an effort blocked away on 25 minutes by Matt Ryan and the goalkeeper then thwarted Sterling after a clever Wilshere pass.

England brought Rooney into the mix at half-time and they looked sharper in their attacking play.

Sterling got clear on the left on 55 minutes and provided the perfect pass for Rooney, who received the pass and fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Rooney then just failed to connect with a low cross from Rashford - the youngster's final action before being withdrawn to a standing ovation.

Smalling went off appearing to hold his hamstring and defensive midfielder Dier was brought on in his place.

Usually adept at centre-back, within two minutes of coming on he beat Fraser Forster as Tomi Juric's presence saw him turn home a cross.