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The decisive goal for England against Australia was netted by Ollie Watkins through a well-placed tap-in.

In the first half, Ollie Watkins came closest to scoring for the home team as he seized upon a well-placed through ball, skillfully rounded Mat Ryan, but could only find the post.

Australia had their own near-miss moments and came close to taking the lead when Ryan Strain’s shot was cleared off the goal line by Lewis Dunk, with Sam Johnstone left helpless.

The match’s outcome was eventually settled in the second half, as Watkins connected with a low drive from Jack Grealish to calmly tap the ball into the net.

SunSport’s Dylan Terry provided the following player evaluations for the England team.

SAM JOHNSTONE – 6

Produced a solid save to block Keanu Baccus’ deflected shot in the early stages of the game.

Remained relatively unchallenged throughout the match, but he’ll surely be pleased with preserving a clean sheet in his first appearance for the England national team since 2021.

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6

Operated as a midfielder when England had the ball, seamlessly transitioning to a right-back when they were defending, providing the team with the flexibility to switch between a three-man and a four-man defensive formation.

His passing abilities continue to stand out and are arguably among the best, if not the very best, within the England squad.

LEWIS DUNK – 7

Evidently displayed strong leadership qualities in the defensive line, even though it was only his fourth appearance for the England national team.

Showcased his remarkable skill in delivering precise long passes both out wide and over the top to the forwards. Furthermore, he delivered a crucial and exceptional clearance off the goal line, thwarting Australia’s attempt to seize the lead.

Seems to be the clear and logical choice to partner with John Stones should Gareth Southgate decide to explore options beyond Harry Maguire.

FIKAYO TOMORI – 6

Demonstrated his exceptional speed during a sprint against Australian striker Mitchell Duke.

Appeared somewhat slow to respond to the dynamic movements occurring around him.

LEVI COLWILL – 5

Clearly displayed his enthusiasm for his England debut by engaging in an altercation with Baccus, resulting in him receiving a yellow card in the first half.

However, he was caught off guard and allowed an Australian attacker to bypass him far too easily, leading to a significant scoring chance just before halftime.

He does possess the versatility to shift from the left-back position to center-half when Alexander-Arnold advances into the midfield in a three-man defensive setup.

JORDAN HENDERSON – 4

Seemed lacking in pace and energy while operating in the midfield. His actions were characterized more by giving orders than by making impactful contributions.

As he was substituted in the second half, a portion of the England fans expressed their displeasure by booing him off the field.

CONOR GALLAGHER – 4

As usual, he displayed a great deal of energy and covered a lot of ground but failed to provide any truly meaningful contributions.

His underwhelming performance led to his substitution at the hour mark, failing to make a compelling case for a spot in Southgate’s top starting eleven.

JAMES MADDISON – 6

Encountered difficulty in locating the pockets of space between the lines that he effortlessly navigates into when playing for Tottenham. However, on the rare occasions when he did find that space, he displayed a level of threat.

He was substituted in the 73rd minute and might have a sense of disappointment regarding his performance in the No. 10 role.

JARROD BOWEN – 6

Maintained a composed and organized presence during the first 45 minutes, though he had limited involvement as the majority of the action unfolded on the left side.

Displayed an impressive burst of speed to reach the byline and deliver a cross to Maddison, whose subsequent shot was blocked.

OLLIE WATKINS – 8

One of the standout performers on an otherwise lackluster night.

Demonstrated unwavering commitment to the team and had a stroke of misfortune earlier in the evening when his shot hit the post after he expertly rounded Ryan.

His ability to hold up the ball and involve his teammates was commendable, and he consistently posed a threat with his runs in behind the defense.

Ultimately, he found the back of the net by pouncing at the back post from a well-struck shot by Grealish. He should now be regarded as the top choice as Harry Kane’s backup.

JACK GREALISH – 6

Showed a tendency to be overly cautious when faced with an Australian defender in a one-on-one situation. Frequently opted for backward passes or slowing down the attack instead of attempting to create opportunities.

However, he managed to redeem his performance just before being substituted by providing the crucial assist for Watkins’ straightforward finish.

SUBS

JOHN STONES (FOR TOMORI, 61) – 6

Provided a sense of composure to the defensive unit when England faced a brief period of pressure.

Received valuable playing time alongside Dunk, which could potentially solidify their partnership as center-backs for the upcoming European Championship.

KALVIN PHILLIPS (F0R GALLAGHER, 61) – 6

Maintained a straightforward approach and effectively helped secure the game while positioned in front of the defensive trio or quartet.

KIERAN TRIPPIER (FOR HENDERSON, 61) – 5

Surprisingly, he conceded possession in a precarious area shortly after entering the match.

MARCUS RASHFORD (FOR GREALISH, 61) – 6

Attempted to exploit the Australian defense with his speed but lacked the final touch or cutting edge.

PHIL FODEN (FOR MADDISON, 73) – 6

Displayed a clear eagerness to make an impact upon entering the game, energetically pursuing every loose ball. However, his overall contribution was limited to a few accurate passes.

EDDIE NKETIAH (FOR WATKINS, 73) – 6

Had very few opportunities to show his worth on his England debut.

Unused subs: Pickford, Maguire, Walker, Guehi, Rice, Kane, Ramsdale, Bellingham.