Ollie Watkins took his England chance by converting a close-range finish as Gareth Southgate's much-changed side laboured to a 1-0 win over Australia - although the visitors were left regretting a series of missed opportunities at Wembley.
2023 Friendlies
1-0
Match Report
Watkins had hit the post in the first half but came up with the vital touch to divert Jack Grealish's shot into the net on 57 minutes and finally deliver the breakthrough for the hosts who had struggled until that point.
With Callum Wilson injured and the in-form Watkins given the nod up front ahead of Eddie Nketiah, the Aston Villa forward made his case to be Harry Kane's first-choice understudy with an impressive performance, capped by his third goal for his country.
This was his first appearance since scoring against Ivory Coast in March 2022 but he was a regular threat running beyond the Australia defence.
Lewis Dunk also added to his reputation, pulling off a brilliant goal-saving block to deny Ryan Strain at the end of the first half, while Sam Johnstone caught the eye with a sharp stop from Keanu Baccus' deflected strike.
But Southgate may not have learnt much more, with his combination of fringe and young players lacking fluidity and looking vulnerable before a flood of subs in the second half. Connor Metcalfe's header against a post from a late corner almost cost England the win.
Of course, England's real priority in this international window is Tuesday's Euro 2024 Qualifier with Italy at Wembley, where they will be able to secure a place at Germany next summer should Ukraine fail to beat North Macedonia on Saturday.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
12' Johnstone makes good save
21' Duke's shot wide out
29' Watkins hits the bar
35' Yellow Card! Conor Gallagher booked
45' Dunk makes goal-line clearance
57' GOAL! England 1-0 Australia (Ollie Watkins)
80' Metcalfe hits the bar
Line-ups
England XI: Henderson, Dunk, Sam Johnstone, Grealish, Maddison, Tomori, Bowen, Ollie Watkins, Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Levi Colwill
Subs: Walker, Trippier, Kane, Pickford, Maguire, Stones, Kalvin Phillips, Rice, Rashford, Ramsdale, Foden, Guehi, Nketiah, Jude Bellingham
Australia XI: Martin Boyle, Ryan, Mitchell Duke, J. Irvine, Craig Goodwin, Cameron Burgess, Souttar, Kye Rowles, Keanu Baccus, Ryan Strain, Connor Metcalfe
Subs: Andrew Redmayne, A. Behich, Degenek, M. Luongo, Awer Mabil, Brandon Borrello, Riley McGree, T. Glover, Aiden O'Neill, Lewis Miller, Sam Silvera, Mohamed Touré, Patrick Yazbek, Jordan Bos, Alessandro Circati