The Three Lions of England ended preparations for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament on a winning note following the slender victory over Romania. England faced Romania in their second and final friendly game before Euro 2020 and they needed the goal from Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford to see off their opponents.
England manager Gareth Southgate included three players in contention to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold as the final member of his squad in his starting XI for the Romania game. Ben White, Ben Godfrey and James Ward-Prowse were initially left out by Southgate after his 33-man squad was reduced to the mandatory 26-man squad. A spot became vacant for the aforementioned players to fill after Alexander-Arnold was ruled out of the Euro 2020 tournament with a thigh injury. Brighton defender White would later win the final spot on the team ahead of both Godfrey and Ward-Prowse.
For the Romania game, England hit the post twice in the first half through central striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Merseyside giants Everton and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho as an underwhelming first half ended in a goalless draw. A change in formation in the second half led to an improved performance and ultimately a win over the Romanians.
England scored the only of the game midway into the second half through Rashford who was the skipper for the night thus becoming the youngest black man to lead out the Three Lions on the international stage at the age of 23 years and 218 days. Rashford tucked away the only goal of the match from the penalty spot after the impressive Jack Grealish was fouled by Tiberiu Capusa.
Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson came off the bench for England at the start of the second half and he could have doubled the Three Lions’ lead but his 78th minute penalty was saved by Florian Nita after Romania skipper Vlad Chiriches brought down Calvert-Lewin in the box. The goal from Rashford was enough to save his blushes in the end. Henderson was making his first appearance since February 20.