Goals by Daniel Sturridge, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka were enough for England to beat Peru in their final home friendly before the World Cup.
In what was a low-key encounter at Wembley Stadium, Roy Hodgson’s team often struggled for rhythm and, while they were worth their win against the South Americans, they will have to perform significantly better if they are to make an impact in Brazil.
Goals by Daniel Sturridge, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka were enough for England to beat Peru in their final home friendly before the World Cup.
In what was a low-key encounter at Wembley Stadium, Roy Hodgson’s team often struggled for rhythm and, while they were worth their win against the South Americans, they will have to perform significantly better if they are to make an impact in Brazil.
The tempo for the match was established early on, with Peru happy to sit deep and frustrate the Three Lions. It was a tactic that proved effective as the home side struggled to work any clear openings.
Peru even had chances to take a shock lead, with goalkeeper Joe Hart having to be alert to deny the visitors delivering a sucker punch.
The opener came on 32 minutes when Sturridge curled home a wonderful left-footed finish from the edge of the area. In truth, the strike came slightly out of the blue but it was a goal fit to grace any match.
The second half passed in much the same way as the first, with England grinding through the gears without any great cohesion and Peru not good enough to stamp their authority on proceedings.
In the end, two goals from set pieces gave the scoreline a slightly flattering look from a Three Lions point of view.
Cahill headed home from a Leighton Baines corner and Jagielka applied the finishing touch following some pinball in the Peruvian box after another corner.
In the end, it was a satisfactory night’s work for Hodgson and his team. They will now head to Miami for friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras in good spirits.
England 3 – 0 Peru
Sturridge 32 (E), Cahill 65 (E), Jagielka 70 (E)
England: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka (Smalling 73), Cahill, Baines (Stones 75); Henderson, Gerrard (Wilshere 64); Lallana (Milner 73), Rooney (Sterling 66), Welbeck; Sturridge
Peru: Fernandez; Advincula (Velarde 78), Rodriguez, Ramos (Riojas 68), Callens, Yotun; Cruzado, Ballon, Ramirez (Hurtado 60); Carillo (Flores 86), Deza (Ruidiaz 66)