England against Republic of Ireland

Walcott is played in on goal down the right. The winger, in plenty of space, fires a low effort but Forde makes a good save. This is a strong finish from England.

Defoe the next England player to have a strike at goal. He cuts in from the left but his effort canons back off a defender.

Rooney sends the ball into the Ireland box but the delivery is poor and the away side are able to clear the danger with ease.

England looking the more likely of finding a late winner...

Rooney's ball deflects into the path of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who bears down in front of goal in plenty of space, but he can only shoot straight at the 'keeper. Good save from Forde.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ireland bring on Conor Sammon for Jonathan Walters.

Phil Jones picks the ball up in space on the right and advances forward before playing a dangerous cross into the box, but St Ledger is there to hack the ball away.

Tonight's attendance at Wembley is 80,126.

A real let-off for Foster who spills a cross into the box. It deflects off Walters and looks goalbound only to hit Cox on the line. Play is stopped for offside on the striker.

This second half is really fizzling out. Maybe there is some late drama in store for us...

Rooney sends the corner in but Forde does well to claim the ball once again. He has been a rock at set pieces tonight.

Baines does well to win a corner off Walters for England.

McClean steps up to take the free-kick but sends his effort just wide of the target. Unlucky, it was a decent hit.

Long does well to beat Carrick and is brought down by the midfielder. Free-kick in a dangerous position for Ireland.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ireland bring on Jeff Hendrick for Glenn Whelan.

A clever slide-rule pass from Rooney as he spots the run of Jones down the right, but the full-back's cross into the box is cut out by the Ireland defence.

Foster has had little to do since coming on for England, with Ireland struggling to create like they did in the first half.

Ireland win a free-kick, but Whelan's delivery goes straight into the England wall. What a waste.

Oxlade-Chamberlain receives the ball in plenty of space and takes aim at goal from distance. It is a decent hit but was always bending wide of the target.

Let's hope these changes don't break up the flow of the game as we often see in friendly games. We don't need that.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> The away side make another change as James McClean comes on for Aiden McGeady.

Walcott has another go at goal. This time he picks the ball up from Lampard before cutting in from the right and driving a low effort at Forde. The 'keeper always had it covered.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ireland make their first change as Simon Cox comes on for Robbie Keane.

This game is beginning to get a little bit more stretched. Let's hope it carries on like this!

Oxlade-Chamberlain does brilliantly to beat a man in his own half before pouring forward and playing the ball to Defoe. The striker then picks out Walcott on the edge of the box, and the winger brings a top save out of Forde at his near post.

This half has certainly lacked the intensity of the first. Neither side are taking the initiative in the way they did earlier in the game.

Rooney picks out the run of Jones down the right but Kelly is there to bring an end to the attack with a thumping slide tackle.

Coleman plays a ball over the top of England's defence and picks out the run of Long but the striker is well offside.

McGeady picks up the ball on the right and attempts a shot-cum-cross but it is poor and sails out for the goal kick. This is a better spell for the away team.

An excellent run from Coleman down the right as he shakes off Oxlade-Chamberlain before cutting in and firing an effort at goal, but Jagielka is there to make the block.

Some neat passing between Rooney and Jones on the edge of the box. But it seems to be one pass to many as when it falls to Lampard he is soon closed down.

Kelly has really been struggling trying to defend against Walcott tonight. England have looked most dangerous when attacking down the right, as Johnson had some joy while on the pitch too.

Baines plays the ball to Oxlade-Chamberlain who bursts into the box before driving an effort at goal, but Coleman is there to make an important block.

Baines steps up, but his strike rebounds straight back off the wall. Poor.

Walcott is brought down by Kelly on the edge of the box. Free-kick in a dangerous position for England.

Lampard is now wearing the armband for England.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> England make another change as the captain, Cole, makes way for Baines.

Nice approach play from England as Oxlade-Chamberlain darts in from the left before laying the ball off to Lampard. The midfielder shoots from distance but sends his effort wide.

The ball is flying all over the place at the moment. Ireland are struggling to keep hold of possession so far in this second half.

England starting this second half the more brightly, making a real effort to boss the possession.

Fantastic play from Cole as he drags the ball away from Walters in a dangerous position. Many other players would not have dared try that.

A superb chipped ball over the top from Rooney to Walcott, who then swings a first-time ball to Cole in the middle, but the Ireland defence combine to clear the danger. Cole really wants a goal tonight, and who could blame him.

Carrick gifts possession to Whelan as Ireland look to attack, but the midfielder is very poor on the ball and soon gives it away. A real waste.

Jones, if you're wondering, is playing at right-back. This is his sixth England cap.

England kick off this second half...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> England make two changes as Phil Jones and Ben Foster come on for Glen Johnson and Joe Hart.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0529/franklampardcelebvire20130529_275x155.jpg"><br>Frank Lampard celebrates his equalising strike.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0529/franklampardscoresvire20130529_275x155.jpg"><br>Frank Lampard equalises for England.

And there goes the end of the first half. Ireland took an early lead through a fine header from Long, but England soon pulled level through a neat finish from Lampard. A thoroughly entertaining game so far, with both teams going for it. A draw is just about right at the moment.

Ireland swing in a corner that Jagielka is unable to deal with. It falls to Keane with his back to goal, but he takes a tumble under pressure from Rooney. No penalty given, despite the striker's protests.

McGeady bursts into the box and beats Johnson, but Cahill arrives to make a vital challenge as the Ireland man was about to pull the trigger.

England stretch the play once again as Walcott picks out the run of Johnson down the right, but his cross is dealt with effectively by Forde.

Lampard sends in a dangerous delivery into the box but England are unable to get onto the end of it and Ireland are just able to scramble it away.

England win a free-kick...

That was excellent play from Coleman as he cleared Walcott's cross to safety just then. He has been impressive at both ends tonight.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0529/joehartshanelongheadergoal20130529_275x155.jpg"><br>Joe Hart can't keep out Shane Long's fine header.

Excellent play from Walcott down the right as he shakes off Kelly before firing a dangerous ball across the face of the goal, but Coleman is there to make an important clearance.

McGeady does well to shrug off Lampard before shooting at goal from distance. His effort sails wide, however, and was never troubling Hart.

Coleman with a dangerous run forward from the right. Long tries to pick the right-back out but Hart does well to rush off his line at speed and smother the ball.

Nice ball from Carrick to Rooney, who then tees up Oxlade-Chamberlain in space on the left. The winger's shot at goal is poor, though, and easy for Forde to deal with.

That goal from Lampard also means he is the first England player to score against Ireland since Lee Dixon in 1991.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> England bring on Defoe for the injured Sturridge. A real shame for the Liverpool man on his first start for his country.

Ireland once again clear Lampard's corner. The away side break down the other end of the pitch as McGeady picks out Keane in space on the right, but Cole is there to head clear the striker's cross into the box.

Oxlade-Chamberlain picks out Johnson in space down the right, who then plays a neat, first-time ball to Walcott in the box. The winger tries to pull his delivery back across goal but it deflects off for a corner. Good move from England.

The intensity of this match has been pretty high, and the way the England wall pushed forward at speed there typifies that.

McGeady tees a free-kick up to Whelan to hit but his strike canons back off the England wall.

England look a little like Germany or the United States out there tonight in their new kit. Ireland very much look like Ireland, though.

Johnson comes forward down the right and cuts in once again. He has an opportunity to shoot at goal but he delays and soon loses the ball.

That was also Lampard's 29th goal in 96 appearances for England.

Oxlade-Chamberlain picks up possession down the left and tries to hang a cross into the box but the angle is just too tight for him and the ball bounces off for the goal kick.

What a game we have set up for us now. Both teams are clearly eager for the win and are having a real go at it every time they get hold of possession.

Lampard has now scored six goals in his last six internationals after that strike.

Excellent play from Sturridge, who waits and waits before picking out the run into the box of Lampard. The midfielder gets a little luck with the way the ball bounces for him but he still produces a calm finish past Forde.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR ENGLAND. LAMPARD.</b>

Ireland have scored exactly one goal in 11 of their previous 12 meetings with England. Well it is now two in 13!

England push forward again. Oxlade-Chamberlain picks up the ball with plenty of space so decides to have a go at goal, but he blazes his strike well over the bar.

Lampard sends in the corner but Jagielka just fails to make contact. The ball comes back into the box and this time the centre-back gets his head on the ball, but sends it well wide.

England come forward through Walcott down the right. He lays the ball off to Rooney, who wins another corner for England.

Johnson picks up the ball from the left and cuts inside before rifling an effort at goal but it canons back off a defender.

Lampard sends in the corner but Forde does well to rise highest and claim the ball.

Good work from Sturridge down the left, who wins a corner for England.

That really was an outstanding cross from Coleman for the goal. He was doing that a lot towards the end of the season for Everton.

Lampard takes aim at goal from a free-kick but he can only strike his effort straight into the wall.

What a start for Ireland. The away fans are in full force now. And a green smoke bomb has just landed near the pitch!

A superb move from Ireland as Coleman delivers a dangerous ball in from the right and Long rises highest to head home past Hart, who had no chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR IRELAND. LONG.</b>

Keane and Long are doing well working down the channels. They are causing problems by forcing both centre-backs to step out from their central positions.

Before tonight, England had won 81% of games with Theo Walcott playing. The best record of any player (10+ games) since Euro 96. Will he be a lucky charm this time around?

Lampard plays a neat one-two with Rooney on the edge of the box but goes down in a heap under pressure from McCarthy. No free-kick given.

It has been a very lively start to this game. I wouldn't say end-to-end yet, but the ball is flying about all over the place.

England debuting their new Nike home strip this evening. They also have a new Nike red away kit, which I am sure we will see pretty soon.

Oxlade-Chamberlain spots the run of Cole down the left but Coleman does well to prevent a corner and clear the danger. A good run forward from the captain, who would no doubt love a goal tonight.

England are looking to move forward at pace every time they get the ball. Ireland are having to work hard at the back already.

Lampard plays an early ball over the top looking for the run of Rooney. The Man United player gets on the end of the pass but his attempted chipped volley towards goal sails well wide. Unlucky.

Keane picks up the ball from just outside the box and decides to have a go at goal, but he sends his effort well wide of the target.

Lampard swings the corner into the box but Ireland head clear the danger.

Walcott soon uses his pace down the right and earns a corner. Decent start for England this.

Oxlade-Chamberlain picks up the ball and uses his pace down the left. He is soon brought down by McCarthy.

England get hold of the ball, but soon lose it as Lampard attempts an overly-ambitious long pass forward.

Ireland get this 'friendly' match underway...

A big match for Sturridge tonight. His first ever start for England. Can he build on his recent good form for Liverpool?

England's anthem goes pretty smoothly too. Perhaps this game will actually finish tonight!

Ireland singing their national anthem at the moment. No booing from England fans it seems.

Roy Hodgson has just presented Cole with the gold cap on the pitch. Wembley show their respect for his achievement.

Ashley Cole has been made England captain, on account of him picking up a special cap tonight to mark having played 100 times for his country. This will be his 102nd England appearance.

<a href="http://espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id/1457996/palmer-english-disease-cured?cc=5739" target="_blank">Read Kevin Palmer's account of that controversial night here.</a>

As friendlies go, this one should be pretty exciting. These two sides have not met since February 1995, when the match had to be abandoned due to crowd trouble.

<b>Ireland: </b>Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, St Ledger, Kelly, Walters, McCarthy, Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Long

<b>England: </b>Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Cole; Carrick, Lampard; Walcott, Rooney, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sturridge.

A clever slide-rule pass from Rooney as he spots the run of Jones down the right, but the full-back's cross into the box is cut out by the Ireland defence.

Foster has had little to do since coming on for England, with Ireland struggling to create like they did in the first half.

Ireland win a free-kick, but Whelan's delivery goes straight into the England wall. What a waste.

Oxlade-Chamberlain receives the ball in plenty of space and takes aim at goal from distance. It is a decent hit but was always bending wide of the target.

Let's hope these changes don't break up the flow of the game as we often see in friendly games. We don't need that.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> The away side make another change as James McClean comes on for Aiden McGeady.

Walcott has another go at goal. This time he picks the ball up from Lampard before cutting in from the right and driving a low effort at Forde. The 'keeper always had it covered.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ireland make their first change as Simon Cox comes on for Robbie Keane.

This game is beginning to get a little bit more stretched. Let's hope it carries on like this!

Oxlade-Chamberlain does brilliantly to beat a man in his own half before pouring forward and playing the ball to Defoe. The striker then picks out Walcott on the edge of the box, and the winger brings a top save out of Forde at his near post.

This half has certainly lacked the intensity of the first. Neither side are taking the initiative in the way they did earlier in the game.

Rooney picks out the run of Jones down the right but Kelly is there to bring an end to the attack with a thumping slide tackle.

Coleman plays a ball over the top of England's defence and picks out the run of Long but the striker is well offside.

McGeady picks up the ball on the right and attempts a shot-cum-cross but it is poor and sails out for the goal kick. This is a better spell for the away team.

An excellent run from Coleman down the right as he shakes off Oxlade-Chamberlain before cutting in and firing an effort at goal, but Jagielka is there to make the block.

Some neat passing between Rooney and Jones on the edge of the box. But it seems to be one pass to many as when it falls to Lampard he is soon closed down.

Kelly has really been struggling trying to defend against Walcott tonight. England have looked most dangerous when attacking down the right, as Johnson had some joy while on the pitch too.

Baines plays the ball to Oxlade-Chamberlain who bursts into the box before driving an effort at goal, but Coleman is there to make an important block.

Baines steps up, but his strike rebounds straight back off the wall. Poor.

Walcott is brought down by Kelly on the edge of the box. Free-kick in a dangerous position for England.

Lampard is now wearing the armband for England.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> England make another change as the captain, Cole, makes way for Baines.

Nice approach play from England as Oxlade-Chamberlain darts in from the left before laying the ball off to Lampard. The midfielder shoots from distance but sends his effort wide.

The ball is flying all over the place at the moment. Ireland are struggling to keep hold of possession so far in this second half.

England starting this second half the more brightly, making a real effort to boss the possession.

Fantastic play from Cole as he drags the ball away from Walters in a dangerous position. Many other players would not have dared try that.

A superb chipped ball over the top from Rooney to Walcott, who then swings a first-time ball to Cole in the middle, but the Ireland defence combine to clear the danger. Cole really wants a goal tonight, and who could blame him.

Carrick gifts possession to Whelan as Ireland look to attack, but the midfielder is very poor on the ball and soon gives it away. A real waste.

Jones, if you're wondering, is playing at right-back. This is his sixth England cap.

England kick off this second half...

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> England make two changes as Phil Jones and Ben Foster come on for Glen Johnson and Joe Hart.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0529/franklampardcelebvire20130529_275x155.jpg"><br>Frank Lampard celebrates his equalising strike.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0529/franklampardscoresvire20130529_275x155.jpg"><br>Frank Lampard equalises for England.

And there goes the end of the first half. Ireland took an early lead through a fine header from Long, but England soon pulled level through a neat finish from Lampard. A thoroughly entertaining game so far, with both teams going for it. A draw is just about right at the moment.

Ireland swing in a corner that Jagielka is unable to deal with. It falls to Keane with his back to goal, but he takes a tumble under pressure from Rooney. No penalty given, despite the striker's protests.

McGeady bursts into the box and beats Johnson, but Cahill arrives to make a vital challenge as the Ireland man was about to pull the trigger.

England stretch the play once again as Walcott picks out the run of Johnson down the right, but his cross is dealt with effectively by Forde.

Lampard sends in a dangerous delivery into the box but England are unable to get onto the end of it and Ireland are just able to scramble it away.

England win a free-kick...

That was excellent play from Coleman as he cleared Walcott's cross to safety just then. He has been impressive at both ends tonight.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2013/0529/joehartshanelongheadergoal20130529_275x155.jpg"><br>Joe Hart can't keep out Shane Long's fine header.

Excellent play from Walcott down the right as he shakes off Kelly before firing a dangerous ball across the face of the goal, but Coleman is there to make an important clearance.

McGeady does well to shrug off Lampard before shooting at goal from distance. His effort sails wide, however, and was never troubling Hart.

Coleman with a dangerous run forward from the right. Long tries to pick the right-back out but Hart does well to rush off his line at speed and smother the ball.

Nice ball from Carrick to Rooney, who then tees up Oxlade-Chamberlain in space on the left. The winger's shot at goal is poor, though, and easy for Forde to deal with.

That goal from Lampard also means he is the first England player to score against Ireland since Lee Dixon in 1991.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> England bring on Defoe for the injured Sturridge. A real shame for the Liverpool man on his first start for his country.

Ireland once again clear Lampard's corner. The away side break down the other end of the pitch as McGeady picks out Keane in space on the right, but Cole is there to head clear the striker's cross into the box.

Oxlade-Chamberlain picks out Johnson in space down the right, who then plays a neat, first-time ball to Walcott in the box. The winger tries to pull his delivery back across goal but it deflects off for a corner. Good move from England.

The intensity of this match has been pretty high, and the way the England wall pushed forward at speed there typifies that.

McGeady tees a free-kick up to Whelan to hit but his strike canons back off the England wall.

England look a little like Germany or the United States out there tonight in their new kit. Ireland very much look like Ireland, though.

Johnson comes forward down the right and cuts in once again. He has an opportunity to shoot at goal but he delays and soon loses the ball.

That was also Lampard's 29th goal in 96 appearances for England.

Oxlade-Chamberlain picks up possession down the left and tries to hang a cross into the box but the angle is just too tight for him and the ball bounces off for the goal kick.

What a game we have set up for us now. Both teams are clearly eager for the win and are having a real go at it every time they get hold of possession.

Lampard has now scored six goals in his last six internationals after that strike.

Excellent play from Sturridge, who waits and waits before picking out the run into the box of Lampard. The midfielder gets a little luck with the way the ball bounces for him but he still produces a calm finish past Forde.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR ENGLAND. LAMPARD.</b>

Ireland have scored exactly one goal in 11 of their previous 12 meetings with England. Well it is now two in 13!

England push forward again. Oxlade-Chamberlain picks up the ball with plenty of space so decides to have a go at goal, but he blazes his strike well over the bar.

Lampard sends in the corner but Jagielka just fails to make contact. The ball comes back into the box and this time the centre-back gets his head on the ball, but sends it well wide.

England come forward through Walcott down the right. He lays the ball off to Rooney, who wins another corner for England.

Johnson picks up the ball from the left and cuts inside before rifling an effort at goal but it canons back off a defender.

Lampard sends in the corner but Forde does well to rise highest and claim the ball.

Good work from Sturridge down the left, who wins a corner for England.

That really was an outstanding cross from Coleman for the goal. He was doing that a lot towards the end of the season for Everton.

Lampard takes aim at goal from a free-kick but he can only strike his effort straight into the wall.

What a start for Ireland. The away fans are in full force now. And a green smoke bomb has just landed near the pitch!

A superb move from Ireland as Coleman delivers a dangerous ball in from the right and Long rises highest to head home past Hart, who had no chance.

<img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR IRELAND. LONG.</b>

Keane and Long are doing well working down the channels. They are causing problems by forcing both centre-backs to step out from their central positions.

Before tonight, England had won 81% of games with Theo Walcott playing. The best record of any player (10+ games) since Euro 96. Will he be a lucky charm this time around?

Lampard plays a neat one-two with Rooney on the edge of the box but goes down in a heap under pressure from McCarthy. No free-kick given.

It has been a very lively start to this game. I wouldn't say end-to-end yet, but the ball is flying about all over the place.

England debuting their new Nike home strip this evening. They also have a new Nike red away kit, which I am sure we will see pretty soon.

Oxlade-Chamberlain spots the run of Cole down the left but Coleman does well to prevent a corner and clear the danger. A good run forward from the captain, who would no doubt love a goal tonight.

England are looking to move forward at pace every time they get the ball. Ireland are having to work hard at the back already.

Lampard plays an early ball over the top looking for the run of Rooney. The Man United player gets on the end of the pass but his attempted chipped volley towards goal sails well wide. Unlucky.

Keane picks up the ball from just outside the box and decides to have a go at goal, but he sends his effort well wide of the target.

Lampard swings the corner into the box but Ireland head clear the danger.

Walcott soon uses his pace down the right and earns a corner. Decent start for England this.

Oxlade-Chamberlain picks up the ball and uses his pace down the left. He is soon brought down by McCarthy.

England get hold of the ball, but soon lose it as Lampard attempts an overly-ambitious long pass forward.

Ireland get this 'friendly' match underway...

A big match for Sturridge tonight. His first ever start for England. Can he build on his recent good form for Liverpool?

England's anthem goes pretty smoothly too. Perhaps this game will actually finish tonight!

Ireland singing their national anthem at the moment. No booing from England fans it seems.

Roy Hodgson has just presented Cole with the gold cap on the pitch. Wembley show their respect for his achievement.

Ashley Cole has been made England captain, on account of him picking up a special cap tonight to mark having played 100 times for his country. This will be his 102nd England appearance.

<a href="http://espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id/1457996/palmer-english-disease-cured?cc=5739" target="_blank">Read Kevin Palmer's account of that controversial night here.</a>

As friendlies go, this one should be pretty exciting. These two sides have not met since February 1995, when the match had to be abandoned due to crowd trouble.

<b>Ireland: </b>Forde, Coleman, O'Shea, St Ledger, Kelly, Walters, McCarthy, Whelan, McGeady, Keane, Long

<b>England: </b>Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Cole; Carrick, Lampard; Walcott, Rooney, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sturridge.