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If taking all competitions into account, the last England vs Australia H2H ended in victory for the Lionesses at this year’s Women’s World Cup. Now it’s the turn of the men to potentially give their colonial cousins a footballing lesson.
It’s going to be a night featuring several unprecedented side plots, with the sight of the first female referee ever to officiate a men’s game at Wembley Stadium being a prominent one. It’s also the first time England will host the Socceroos at the ‘new’ Wembley.
Gareth Southgate will be using this game as a warm-up for their Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy on Tuesday, so we could see several first-team players have reduced minutes in order not to risk injury.
England vs Australia H2H
Contents
The story so far
England have played Australia seven times before, but never in a competitive match, and the Three Lions have dominated in terms of wins:
- England Wins: 4
- Draws: 2
- Australia Wins: 1
Their first meeting came in 1980, when Glenn Hoddle and Paul Mariner scored the goals in a 2-1 win for England. Most recently, England won by the same scoreline at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
Introducing Stephanie Frappart – the referee for England vs Australia 2023
Referee Stephanie Frappart is set to make history as the first female referee to oversee a men’s international match at Wembley Stadium. The French official became the first female to oversee a men’s FIFA World Cup match in Qatar, when she officiated Germany’s 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the group stages, and has broken other records previously.
History will be made at Wembley Stadium this week!
An incredible achievement for Stephanie Frappart and another step towards better representation of women in the professional game. 🙌 https://t.co/GFHr3qAax1
— Kick It Out (@kickitout) October 9, 2023
Last five H2H matches
Australia 0-1 England (1983)
This was the second of a three-game series between the two sides in Australia, as England ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Paul Walsh goal. Sir Bobby Robson was the manager, and some well-known names like Peter Shilton and John Barnes played.
Australia 1-1 England (1983)
This was the final game of the series, where England put out a similar team but were held by Australia, with Trevor Francis netting for the Three Lions.
Australia 0-1 England (1991)
England recorded another narrow win against Australia eight years later, with an own goal ensuring victory. The likes of Stuart Pearce and Gary Lineker made up the XI under manager Graham Taylor.
England 1-3 Australia (2003)
The only time the Socceroos have won an England vs Australia H2H, as Tony Popovic, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton stunned the Three Lions, with Francis Jeffers getting on the scoresheet for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men.
England 2-1 Australia (2016)
The last time these two sides met, England ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney, while Eric Dier also scored an own goal for Roy Hodgson’s team.
England vs Australia H2H: Iconic Moment
Kewell conquers Eriksson’s England
In their sixth attempt, Australia beat England 3-1 in a friendly at Upton Park in February 2003. Former Leeds United and Liverpool winger Harry Kewell was one name on the scoresheet, and plenty of other Premier League stars were in the Socceroos line-up, including goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and striker Mark Viduka.
Final Prediction
The hosts of the next England vs Australia H2H are massive favourites, as they are ranked 23 places (fourth) above the Socceroos (27th) in the FIFA World Rankings. The Three Lions won convincingly in what was a tricky test away to rivals Scotland 3-1 last time out, while Australia are winless in their last three fixtures.
Gareth Southgate may opt to rest some of his key players ahead of their Euros qualifier against Italy on Tuesday, but the likes of Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison, who only has four senior international caps, could still get significant minutes. Nonetheless, expect England to win fairly comfortably.
We’re saying 3-0 to England with Maddison to score or assist.
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