Marcus Rashford created England history at a sold-out Stadium of Light as Roy Hodgson’s side eased to a comfortable win over Australia in their penultimate Euro 2016 warm-up match.
With places on the plane to France still up for grabs, the striking sensation was handed a chance to impress and he seized it immediately with a stunning volley after just two minutes.
But Australia were persistent and they produced a gritty performance which often put England on the defensive, even if stand-in stopper Fraser Forster was scarcely tested by a Socceroos side desperately lacking a cutting edge.
England remained dangerous on the break and the introduction of captain Wayne Rooney added fresh impetus in attack, and within ten minutes the Manchester United man doubled the Three Lions’ advantage with a sumptuous finish as the gung-ho visitors were finally punished.
The introduction of Eric Dier with 15 minutes remaining was supposed to take the sting out of the game, but when the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder unluckily headed into the back of his own net to reduce the arrears the Aussies sensed late drama.
However, England remained comfortable and they picked up a second warm-up win on the spin as Rashford put one foot on the plane to Euro 2016.
England boss Roy Hodgson was expected to make wholesale changes and he did just that. Nathaniel Clyne, Chris Smalling and Adam Lallana – eligible for selection for the first time following their respective cup finals – were named in the starting XI, with Sunderland academy graduate Henderson also selected, but his Wearside homecoming was somewhat overshadowed by the selection of 18-year-old Rashford.
The Manchester United youngster enjoyed a magical campaign after announcing himself with successive braces on his Premier League and European debuts.
And it took just two minutes for the next chapter in the striker’s fairytale to be written as he opened the scoring in majestic fashion.
Southampton ‘keeper Forster almost gifted the Socceroos an opener when his clearance was charged down, but it stunned England into life and when Raheem Sterling’s blocked cross looped into the path of Rashford the end result was beyond any doubt.
Unknown six months ago, the Manchester United striker buried a first-time volley like a veteran and etched his name into England history by becoming the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut.
England failed to take advantage of Rashford’s glittering opener though, and Ange Postecoglou’s side settled into the groove.
But as the Aussies pushed forward they were subsequently left exposed and a rapid-fire England counter attack almost doubled the hosts’ advantage.
Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere engineered the move and he expertly picked out the electric Sterling who broke into opposition territory, but despite masterfully stroking the ball into the path of Rashford the visitors recovered and the chance turned to dust.
The United starlet turned provider soon after as England pushed for a second as he slotted a cute through ball into the path of Lallana, but as the Liverpool midfielder turned towards goal Ryan closed the angle and made the save.
A hopeful penalty shout followed as Liverpool defender Brad Smith fired a cross against the hand of club team-mate Clyne, but it would have been harsh on the England full-back and play duly continued.
Sunderland-born Henderson almost grabbed a real collector’s item before the break as Ryan Bertrand’s clever free-kick picked him out on the edge of the box, but the midfielder was denied a homecoming goal as ‘keeper Ryan clawed his curling effort behind.
England made two changes at the break as captain Rooney – making first appearance following the conclusion of the domestic season – arrived on the scene with James Milner, with Lallana and Wilshere exiting the field of play.
But it was the adventurous Aussies who once again grasped the initiative.
Rooney failed to make the most of a one-on-two situation, but within minutes England’s record goalscorer atoned and was wheeling away in jubilation as the Three Lions made it 2-0.
Australia continued to enjoy possession in the final third but they lacked cutting edge throughout, and when Sterling latched onto the ball and picked out Rooney the captain slammed the ball into the top corner with unerring accuracy.
The talismanic striker almost grabbed a second moments later but he was unable to latch onto Rashford’s low cross, and with 15 minutes remaining Australia were handed a route back into the game as Dier – on just seconds before – headed into his own net.
But it proved to be a false dawn for the visitors with England easing over the finish line to retain their perfect record at the Stadium of Light.
England: Forster (Heaton 87), Clyne, Bertrand, Henderson, Smalling (Dier 73), Stones, Wilshere (Milner 45), Drinkwater, Rashford (Barkley 63), Sterling (Townsend 76), Lallana (Rooney 45).
Substitutes: Walker, Kane, Alli, Rose, Hart.
Australia: Ryan, Milligan, Risdon (Degenek 74), Wright, Kruse (Goodwin 84), Mooy (Irvine 84), Smith, Jedinak, Luongo (Ikonomidis 58), Rogic (Juric 73), MacLaren (McKay 58).
Substitutes: Behich, Mauk, Birighitti, Federici, Wilkinson.