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England rocks USMNT in Rooney send-off

Britain England US Soccer

England’s Wayne Rooney shoots on goal as Unites States Tyler Adams, right, defends during the international friendly soccer match between England and the United States at Wembley stadium, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

AP

The United States men’s national team largely failed to show up at Wembley Stadium as England blasted the Yanks 3-0 on Thursday.

Callum Wilson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Jesse Lingard scored for England, who celebrated the career of Wayne Rooney before, during, and after the game.

The Yanks’ next game is Tuesday against Italy in Belgium, while England faces Croatia in the final match of the UEFA Nations League group stage.

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Brad Guzan was busy early, and defiant when his sliding intervention in the box felled Callum Wilson.

England wouldn’t be held for long, as the USMNT was truly poor in the first half hour of the match aside from a Christian Pulisic-inspired chance.

But it wasn’t just star play for Pulisic, who didn’t really look up to it until the second half.

He gave the ball away and the Three Lions attacked down the left flank. Pulisic’s lackadaisical tracking allowed Lingard an acre space to curl a delightful first goal around Guzan.

It was 2-0 within moments, this time with Jadon Sancho laying off for Alexander-Arnold to hit past Guzan, with Jorge Villafana sleepwalking on the left flank.

The U.S. was wasteful in possession, with Wil Trapp a minor bright spot in breaking up play. Julian Green forced Jordan Pickford into a rare save.

The second half was much better for the USMNT, and substitute Wayne Rooney was stymied by the hands of Brad Guzan in a bid for a goal in his final England match.

Wilson then scored on debut, side-footing a cross off the post and past a flailing Guzan. Rooney then had a stoppage time chance to beat Guzan, but the ex-Aston Villa keeper stooped to collect the ball.

Follow @NicholasMendola