Evening all. Well, it may have taken 14 years, but one of the biggest rivalries in international football will resume in London tonight. It's being dubbed as a friendly, but when England and Scotland meet, there is no such thing! It should make for an entertaining encounter.
Right then, before we get involved with some pre-match chat, the team news has already been released. Let's start with hosting England...
ENGLAND XI: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Jagielka, Baines; Gerrard, Wilshere, Cleverley, Walcott; Welbeck, Rooney
No doubt you are sick to the back teeth of hearing about Wayne Rooney, but he is big news at the moment. He starts for England, despite recent hamstring and shoulder injuries. Due to his current club situation which has seen him play just 45 minutes of a behind closed doors friendly this summer, it's unlikely that he will last the entire match. Elsewhere, Jack Wilshere is in the midfield, while Leighton Baines is given the nod over Ashley Cole at left-back.
And now for the travelling Scots...
SCOTLAND XI: McGregor; Hutton, Hanley, Martin, Whittaker; Snodgrass, Morrison, Brown; Forrest, Maloney; Miller
Somewhat surprisingly,
Kenny Miller will lead the attack for Scotland. It did seem much more likely that either Jordan Rhodes or Leigh Griffiths would be handed the responsibility, but Gordon Strachan has gone for the experience of Miller. There are also three Norwich City players included in the form of Russell Martin, Steven Whittaker and Robert Snodgrass.
Those of you that have been following the news or living in London today will only be too aware as to how many Scots have descended on the capital for today's game. An estimated 20,000 have made the trip, which will give them almost a quarter of Wembley. As you'd expect, they're going to be noisy as well. The picture in the next post shows what they have been up to since this morning.
It's fair to say that if the passion of supporters counted, there would only be one winner this evening!
To be fair to them, it appears that they have just come to enjoy themselves, with very little trouble being caused. Police did have to arrest one man, who was dancing naked in the fountains in Trafalgar Square square after a few too many ales! Still, it's something different for Londoners to see on their usual boring commute!
Anyway, back to the football. Okay, let's get him out of the way early shall we? Mr Rooney has been all over your back pages and favourites sports websites this summer, hasn't he? It's clear for all to see that he is unhappy at Manchester United and as a result he has barely featured in pre-season. Previous layoffs have seen him return a little rusty, but the word from those that have attended recent England training sessions is that the striker is looking razor sharp. No doubt he will want to prove a point this evening, which could be ominous for Scotland.
Looking at that England side, can it get much stronger? Many will argue that Baines is a better bet than Cole these days and is there much between Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson at right-back? Michael Carrick, who had to
pull out with an eye infection, may get in the midfield, but apart from that, there is very little that could improve that starting lineup. Is that a good or bad thing England fans?
And what about Scotland? As mentioned earlier, the choice of lone striker is a bit of surprise, but they will have fresh and youthful legs on the bench once Miller tires. The midfield is a hard-working one who will no doubt be instructed to get among Wilshere and Steven Gerrard. As for the defence, it's probably as strong as it can be. Having said that,
Theo Walcott may fancy his chances as there is not much pace down either flank.
Man United midfielder Carrick was mentioned moments ago - he had to withdraw earlier today because of an eye problem. He has just tweeted: "Frustrated with this eye infection. Should have been at wembley now on the my sofa, gotta watch it on the box. All the best boys."
Meanwhile, Scotland boss Strachan has been explaining his decision to select Miller up front to BBC Scotland: "Kenny Miller is the one who can lengthen the game for us. If we want space to play and push them back, Kenny is the one who can do that."
Most of you will know that, as it states in the introduction to this commentary, these two countries have not gone toe to toe for 14 years. As result, not one of the players on show will have experienced this fixture, of which there have been many, many memorable ones. Here is our
top five.
If you don't feel like clicking that link, it is still no reason not to relive this goal, although Scotland supporters may want to avert their eyes:
Last time he is mentioned before the start, I promise! Man United manager David Moyes has been talking about Rooney over on
ITV Sport:
"Everybody likes to see Wayne Rooney playing well. He has only played 45 minutes all pre-season so he needs games. It's pre-season, you've got to get your players fit so it is a plus that he is getting a bit of a go tonight."
Right, with just over 15 minutes to go until we are off and running, let's have a look at both benches shall we? With the Premier League season starting this weekend, there is bound to be a number of changes from half-time onwards.
ENGLAND: Foster, Ruddy, Johnson, Cole, Jones, Smalling, Milner, Lampard, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Zaha, Defoe, Lambert
SCOTLAND: Gilks, Marshall, Greer, Hammell, Mulgrew, Webster, Adam, Bannan, Boyd, Bridcutt, Burke, Conway, Dorrans, Mackay-Steven, McArthur, Griffiths, Naismith, Rhodes
Got to admit, it would be a great story if
Rickie Lambert was given some game time, wouldn't it? Having spent the majority of his career in the lower divisions, the 31-year-old earned his call-up by scoring 15 goals in the Premier League for Southampton last season. It was apparent during a press conference earlier this week just how much it meant to him.
As kick-off draws closer, former England international Gary Lineker has been busying having some fun on Twitter!
Right then, the players are now in the tunnel waiting to come out. Scotland skipper Scott Brown looks up for this one. They will be with us shortly for the anthems.
A tweet from Sam Wallace of The Independent as the Scottish national anthem strikes up: "For all the hype, Wembley not even close to being full as the teams come out."
Big jeers go up as 'God Save Our Queen' is played out. The Scottish fans are making themselves heard, that's for sure. It's a fiery atmosphere inside Wembley, which makes a change from the usual quietness that accompanies an international friendly.
GAME ON! Here we go - Scotland, attacking from right to left, get the 111th meeting between these great rivals underway.
Wilshere is not happy a bunny following a challenge from Shaun Maloney. The Wigan Athletic man caught the England midfielder on the ankle, which has caused him numerous problems over the last couple of years. Maloney says sorry, but Wilshere is having none of it. Spicy start.
It's been 100mph stuff so far, with both sides committing fouls. It seems that both sets of players are a little too hyped at the moment.
CHANCE! A fully fit Rooney would have put England in front there. It's a cross from Baines that Scotland fail to deal with and Rooney nips in on the blindside. He attempts to sweep the ball left-footed into the far corner of the net, but his connection is not the cleanest and it skids wide of the target. An early sighter for the England frontman.
Unsurprisingly, Rio Ferdinand, who recently retired from international football, has been busy on Twitter: "Come on England, get me off my sofa! Welbeck for 1st goal I'm going!"
GOAL! England 0-1 Scotland (Morrison)
Joe Hart - oh dear! Perhaps he is thinking about his next
Head and Shoulders commercial as
James Morrison takes aim from 20 yards out. Yes it comes through a crowd of bodies, but it is straight at the England keeper, who can only help the ball into his net. The Scots inside Wembley go wild, while Hart hangs his head.
There is not a lot of movement among England's attacking players at this present moment in time. Wilshere has just collected the ball midway inside the Scotland half, but having got his head up, he has no options and is eventually crowded out.
The Scottish players are enjoying themselves right now. Rather than lumping the ball up for Miller to chase, they are getting it down and are keeping possession. It's being greeted with chants of 'ole' every time a pass is completed by their supporters. I've just checked, this game is definitely not being played at Hampden Park!
Maloney really is a clever little footballer - it's a bit surprising that a Premier League side hasn't picked him up this summer. He keeps getting himself in the pockets between England's midfield and defence and as yet, the home side haven't formulated a plan to deal with him. If they don't come up with one soon, they may pay.
Former England international Danny Mills has been having his say on proceedings so far over on
BBC Radio Five Live: "Scotland now have something to protect, to give them the belief to really throw themselves into challenges.
"If you think back to Chelsea v Barcelona, it is very hard to score against well-organised teams who sit deep. Scotland are no mugs, it will be difficult for England to break them down."
CHANCE! Much better from England as Walcott and Rooney show some neat interplay to open up a chance for Tom Cleverley. His first effort is blocked by Martin and then Grant Hanley throws himself in front of the rebound just six yards from goal. Brave defending from the Scots, who has Mills says, are not going to be easy to break down.
GOAL! England 1-1 Scotland (Walcott)
Scotland had their warning moments ago and now they have been pegged back. Full marks to Cleverley, who plays a pass inside Whittaker for Walcott to run on to. His touch isn't the greatest, but he cuts inside his marker and the drills a left-footed shot inside Allan McGregor's near post from 12 yards out. "You're not singing anymore" rings out around Wembley. Game on!
CHANCE! England all of a sudden look like a different team. The United duo of Welbeck and Rooney link for the latter to chance his arm from 25 yards out. He goes for the near post in an attempt to catch out McGregor, but the Scottish keeper watches the ball bounce wide of the target.
Cleverley and Wilshere have started to have much more of a say on proceedings from midfield for England. Cleverley in particular is looking lively and wants the ball at every opportunity. It's the sort of confidence that he has sometimes lacked during his international career to date.
CHANCE! Just as I say that, Wilshere almost costs England a goal up the other end. He is caught dawdling in possession on the halfway line and his pocket is picked by Brown. The ball is worked out wide to Snodgrass, who goes for goal from the left. His effort is scuffed but would have provided Maloney with a tap-in had Gary Cahill not intervened with a sliding clearance.
DISALLOWED GOAL! The linesman has just denied Rooney a legitimate goal and as you can imagine, he is not best pleased. Gerrard lofts a pass over the top of the Scotland defence for the striker, whose first touch takes him beyond McGregor. However, just as he rolls the ball into the net, the assistant's flag is raised for offside. Replays show that he was a good yard onside.
We will have a minimum of one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half.
HALF-TIME: England 1-1 Scotland
From an England point of view, the less said about the first 20 minutes or so the better. They looked sluggish and if truth be told, a little taken aback by Scotland's enthusiasm. Their performance improved as the half wore on and but for a incorrect decision from the referee's assistant, they would have taken a 2-1 lead into the break.
As for Scotland, their manager Strachan is likely to be pleased with what he has seen. When the opportunity has arisen they've passed the ball well, with Maloney and Morrison in particular being neat and tidy. What's more, they haven't panicked since the equaliser, despite coming under a bit more pressure from the home side. More of the same will be the order at half-time.
"I think his form was poor last year. It's poor goalkeeping. The ball is going to move and you should expect the worse - he's got to do better."
That is how Roy Keane viewed the error committed by Hart in allowing Scotland to go 1-0 up. You've got to side with the Irishman there, it's a big mistake from the Man City keeper.
Cheer up England fans - your side may not be at their best, but at least Germany are losing 3-2 to Paraguay! The South Americans are currently bottom of their World Cup qualifying group behind the likes of Peru and Bolivia. If that's your bag, you can follow live text updates of that match
here.
Back to this game and we are expecting some changes ahead of the second half. Rumours were rife during the opening 45 minutes that Rooney and Wilshere were going to be among those that were given a breather. Perhaps a chance for Lambert?
Okay, scrap that! It's just the one alteration apparently, which sees Wilshere being replaced by Frank Lampard. Scotland are unchanged.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Here we go then, the second 45 minutes our underway. Expecting more of the same if truth be told.
England have been on top during the early stages, although they haven't created an opportunity. It's interesting to see how far up the left flank Baines is being asked to play. He's spent more time in the Scotland's half than England's!
GOAL! England 1-2 Scotland (Miller)
Well, Miller has made me eat my words from earlier on. I suggested that he maybe shouldn't have started, but he has just scored a fantastic goal to put the Scots back in front. The 33-year-old controls a cross from Whittaker and then leaves Cahill for dead with a neat turn. His back is still to goal, but he swivels and unleashes a powerful low drive from the edge of the area which leaves Hart no chance.
GOAL! England 2-2 Scotland (Welbeck)
He may find goals hard to come by for his club side, but Welbeck has no such problems for England. The United frontman gets up highest to meet Gerrard's curling cross and he then proceeds to send the ball downwards and into the net, despite McGregor's best efforts. Scotland's lead lasted just four minutes.
BOOKING! The first yellow card of the evening goes to England's Walker and he can't really complain. James Forrest is away from the full-back, who responds by tripping him up. It's taken 57 minutes, which considering the way that this game started, is an achievement!
BOOKINGS! That's more like it! Walcott and Snodgrass fly into a challenge, which neither are happy with. They square up, which prompts players from both sides to get involved. Rooney of all people ends up playing the role of peace-maker! The two culprits are cautioned and their dummies have been returned to them!
CHANCE! Lampard has been quiet since entering the action, but in typical Lampard style he almost gives England the lead with a powerful strike from the edge of the area. McGregor fumbles, but Baines is unable to strike the rebound cleanly, allowing the Scotland keeper to redeem himself.
SUBSTITUTION: A second chance of the night for England sees skipper Gerrard replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. It looks as though the Arsenal man is going to play in the centre of midfield, just as he did when he scored against Brazil. Lampard has taken over as captain.
BOOKING! We went 57 minutes without a yellow card and now we have had four in less than 10 minutes! This time it's Lampard, who got nowhere near the ball as he slid in on Maloney.
CHANCE! Almost the goal of the night from Welbeck as Jagielka heads a corner from Rooney back into his path. Rather than control the ball, Welbeck opts to try an acrobatic effort with his right boot. The connection is good, but the ball flies a couple of yards wide of the right post.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Switches for both sides as Charlie Mulgrew and Craig Conway come on for Forrest and Snodgrass. And that is also the end of the road for Rooney, who is replaced by debutant Lambert. He gets a big cheer from the crowd, which is good to see. James Milner has also come on for Cleverley.
Another tweet from Ferdinand, this time regarding Lambert: "Congratulations to Ricky Lambert on getting his England debut. Long road but worthwhile. Enjoy."
GOAL! England 3-2 Scotland (Lambert)
Just as he would have dreamt it last night. Baines sends over a corner from the left into the centre of the Scotland area. Lambert is up high above everyone else and with his first touch he sends a bullet header into the left hand corner of the net. What a start to his international career!
SUBSTITUTION: Strachan reacts to his side falling behind for the first time by bringing on some fresh legs. Miller has put in a good shift, but he is given a rest and on comes Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Leigh Griffiths.
SUBSTITUTION: Yet another switch for England as Walcott, who has been quiet during the second half, is replaced by Wilfried Zaha. Much is expected of the Manchester United winger, who is making his second appearance at senior international level.
SAVE! Lampard collects the ball 30 yards from goal and having assessed his options, goes for goal. It's a powerful effort that swerves viciously on its way towards the target. Credit to McGregor, though, who keeps his concentration to palm the ball away for a corner, which comes to nothing.
CHANCE! A neat chipped pass from Oxlade-Chamberlain finds Zaha, who takes one touch to set himself, before dragging his effort wide of the target. The youngster may have been better served getting his head up there and crossing the ball. Meanwhile, Jordan Rhodes has replaced goalscorer Morrison for Scotland, while Phil Jones is on for Jagielka.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for the away side as Maloney is hooked by Strachan and on his place comes Everton's Steven Naismith.
Whittaker is not really the player you want in a good position inside the area. He has three teammates waiting for a cross, but the Scotland full-back appears to panic and goes for goal despite being in a wide position. The ball is always rising though and was more trouble to the crowd than Hart in the England goal.
Scotland have three minutes of stoppage time to find themselves an equalising goal.
OFF THE POST! Now that would have been in Lambert's nightmares last night. The ball is put on a plate for him to bag his second of the evening as Zaha squares the ball, but with the goal gaping, he fires against the post from just six yards out. It's a good job he has already scored otherwise that would have haunted him!
FULL TIME: England 3-2 Scotland
Fifthteen years ago today Lambert was putting lids on jars in a beetroot factory, but tonight, at the age of 31, he has scored the winner on his debut for England against Scotland. It is 'Roy of the Rovers' stuff for the Southampton frontman.
On the balance of play, it's a deserved win for England, just. Next month important World Cup qualifiers are played and this will have done them no harm. Credit to Scotland because they played their part in what was an entertaining friendly.
And that is all we have time for from Wembley. Thanks for joining us this evening and be sure to check back on Sports Mole for analysis of the match and reaction from players and managers. Until next time, goodbye.