Wayne Rooney says Harry Kane will break England goalscoring record

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Kane is 34 goals adrift of Rooney’s England record

Wayne Rooney believes England captain Harry Kane will break his record and become the country’s leading goalscorer.

Rooney, 33, returned to make his 120th and final international appearance in a 3-0 friendly victory over the United States at Wembley on Thursday.

The DC United striker has scored 53 times for England – 34 more than Kane, who is eight years his junior.

“I look forward to presenting him with the trophy,” said Rooney.

Former Everton and Manchester United player Rooney made his England debut as a 17-year-old against Australia in 2003, and retired from international football in 2017.

But the Football Association saw Thursday’s match as an opportunity to “honour” his “record-breaking international career”.

Kane and FA chairman Greg Clarke made a presentation to Rooney before the game.

Rooney said: “I asked Harry to present me with the award because I believe he will beat my goalscoring record.

“It was great to be out there in front of the fans again and it was special for me and my family.”

Rooney farewell ‘a moment to savour’

A unique occasion almost included a fairytale farewell for Rooney.

When he found the ball at his feet on the edge of the box in injury time, the expectation was the net would bulge and he would run off in celebration with arms outstretched.

But his low strike was kept out by United States goalkeeper Brad Guzan, and the final whistle that soon followed brought down the curtain on his international career.

His selection had been criticised by – among others – England’s record appearance-maker Peter Shilton, who said caps should not be “given out like gifts”.

Rooney said: “If I had scored it would have opened a whole other debate about whether that goal should have counted or not, so it was probably a good thing I didn’t!”

Rooney had watched the first half from the bench, seeing former Manchester United team-mate Jesse Lingard and Liverpool youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold put England in control.

He was given a rousing ovation by those at Wembley when he replaced Lingard, and the crowd screamed “shoot” every time he got on the ball.

The former Everton and Manchester United man found time to show touches of his class, with clever flicks and cross-field balls.

And he was on the field when Callum Wilson marked his England debut by netting the team’s third goal.

“Being back at Wembley, in front of the home fans… they gave me a great reception,” said Rooney. “It is a moment to savour. Everyone in the dressing room has enjoyed it.”

England manager Gareth Southgate added: “The players will have taken on board Wayne Rooney’s humility, even after everything he has given to the game.

“He mucked in during training and worked hard in the five-a-sides and in the game he was tracking back.”

Rooney’s pre-match chat with Sancho – what his team-mates said

Borussia Dortmund’s 18-year-old winger Jadon Sancho: “Playing with Wayne Rooney was really great – a dream come true for me. He’s a role model.

“I told Wayne that I was nervous in the dressing room. He came over and told me to be confident, that I had nothing to lose.

“I have to say thank you to him because without that advice I might have still been really nervous.”

Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold: “It’s been exciting, looking back on Wayne Rooney’s career. He was one of the best players for the country and it was good to share the pitch with him. As a local lad, it is good to show people in Liverpool that it is possible.

“He is someone I have seen when I was younger and tried to replicate. I want to be making the same amount of appearances for England as him.

“I have been watching Rooney from early on – he came on the scene from a seriously young age and he’s shown that from when he was young he was scoring goals, doing his job and worked really hard.”

Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy: “Wayne spoke to us at the hotel and gave the lads that were making their debut their shirts. It was a massive game that I wanted to be involved in.

“Wayne has had an unbelievable career and I thought it was a nice send-off for him. Everyone was over the moon for him.”

Leicester defender Harry Maguire
Manchester United full-back Ashley Young
Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek

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This official ‘Fantastic Beasts 2’ artwork is spilling with ‘Harry Potter’ easter eggs

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Without spoiling anything, it’s safe to say that Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald brings the new franchise in the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling even closer to the Harry Potter universe. 

Characters we know and love are being introduced into Fantastic Beasts and fans of the original Harry Potter universe are pining for nuggets of information that tie Fantastic Beasts to the original canon they know and love.

If it’s Potter easter eggs you’re looking for, you might want to pay extra attention to the artwork — the newspapers; the posters; the adverts – in the The Crimes of Grindelwald. They’re full of easter eggs for the attentive moviegoers.

The artwork has been created by a London design studio called MinaLima, and if you’ve ever seen a Harry Potter film, chances are you’ll be familiar with their work.

According to designer Miraphora Mina, their work is important when it comes to tying in Fantastic Beasts with the Harry Potter universe.

“There is a legacy now, and some things you expect as audience,” Mina told Mashable. “It’s actually useful because there are protocols we’ve established on Harry Potter, such as how the newspapers function and the sense of humour, which is important as well.”

Like in the first instalment of Fantastic Beasts, MinaLima created a series of newspaper front pages to give context to the storyline in the movie — sadly, this time they did not make the final cut of The Crimes of Grindelwald.

However, the papers still hold a number of clues and references that may be familiar to eagle-eyed Potter fans…

This 1927 cover of The Daily Prophet has several worthy headlines, for instance.

Is this a distant relative of Fluffy’s, on the loose in London?

Congratulations to the well-known wand maker of Diagon Alley on winning an award.

The Daily Prophet was throwing shade at Albus Dumbledore even then.

MinaLima also did a cover for the American wizarding news source, The New York Ghost. 

This lesser known American publication also contains some nuggets.  

Look at this subtle nod to the free house elf of our hearts, Dobby. You were not the first free elf, and we’re sure you won’t be the last. 

Although Wolfsbane potion wouldn’t be invented until much later, it’s perhaps worth noting the main ingredient found in a No-Maj (or muggle, if you’re keeping it British) nursery. 

Obscuruses were of course only introduced into the Wizarding World in the first Fantastic Beasts, but this special report would have been pretty useful before Credence went off, tbh.

MinaLima created a French wizarding newspaper (the name of which translates into “The Cry of the Gargoyle”) for Fantastic Beasts that also holds some nods to the Harry Potter universe.  

Here is a shoutout to our friends at Beauxbatons (who apparently have started dabbing in the art of potion making.)

And of course the creator of The Philosopher’s Stone, Frenchman Nicolas Flamel (who was a real person, BTW) has his own column about the enigmas of alchemy.  

We know that Hogwarts portraits leave their frames from time to time, but apparently the Mona Lisa forgot to return to her frame in The Louvre.

Finally, one of the most exiting new additions to the wizarding world in The Crimes of Grindelwald is the Maledictus. A Maledictus is, in the words of J.K. Rowling herself, a woman born with a blood curse who can transform into a snake.

The first Maledictus we meet is perhaps the most significant Maledictus in history: Nagini. 

The adverts for the Nagini show in the Paris circus were inspired by real life freak show ads from the past, Mina told Mashable. 

The caption of the one below reads, “In the flesh” and, “From the depths of the Indonesian jungle.”

An exhibition of the graphic art featured in Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald is currently showing at House of MinaLima, 26 Greek Street, London.

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North Korea tests new ‘high-tech tactical’ weapon

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed the successful test of a “newly developed high-tech tactical” weapon though it was unclear what sort of armament it was.

The viewing on Friday didn’t appear to be a nuclear or missile-related test, a string of which last year had many fearing war before the North turned to engagement and diplomacy early this year.

Still, any mention of weapons testing could influence the direction of stalled diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang that’s meant to rid the North of its nuclear weapons.

The North said the test took place at the Academy of National Defence Science and Kim couldn’t suppress his “passionate joy” at its success.

“Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un was so excited to say that another great work was done by the defence scientists and munitions industrial workers to increase the defence capability of the country,” the Korean Central News Agency reported. 

North Korea’s Kim agrees to ‘dismantle’ key missile test sites

The weapon was conceived by Kim’s deceased father and the new leader “missed Kim Jong Il very much while seeing the great success of its test”, state-run KCNA said.

Tensions rising?

It was Kim’s first field visit to a testing site since his unprecedented summit with US President Donald Trump in June, when the two leaders agreed to work towards denuclearisation and peace on the Korean Peninsula, and to establish new relations between the United States and North Korea.

Any testing of new weapons is likely to raise tensions with Washington, which has said there will be no easing of international sanctions until North Korea takes more concrete steps to abandon its nuclear weapons or long-range missiles.

The White House referred questions about the latest development to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The North has reportedly expressed anger in recent days at South Korea’s resumption of small-scale military drills with the United States. But Friday’s report didn’t appear to focus on North Korean claims of US and South Korean hostility – as it did when announcing previous weapons tests.

Last year’s weapons tests, many experts believe, put the North on the brink of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can target anywhere in the mainland United States.

Diplomacy has stalled since the June summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore, with Washington pushing for more action on nuclear disarmament and the North insisting the US first approve a peace declaration formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War.

Professor Yang Moo-jin, from the University of North Korea Studies in Seoul, South Korea, said Friday’s test was “a signal to the US sent ahead of the high-level talks that its own patience is also wearing thin”.

SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies

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Ho Ho Ho, Katy Perry Has Returned With A Bubbly Christmas Bop

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Whether or not it’s acceptable to listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving is a timeless debate, but we now know where Katy Perry stands. On Thursday (November 15), the pop star joined this year’s Christmas-music onslaught — which also includes John Legend, Gwen Stefani, and even Tyler, the Creator — by dropping “Cozy Little Christmas.”

The bubbly bop is indeed mighty cozy, with jingle bells galore and love-fueled lyrics in the vein of Mariah Carey’s immortal “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” “Nothing lights my fire or wraps me up baby like you do,” she sings, “Just want a cozy, cozy little Christmas here with you.” But as much as Katy preaches about what really matters this holiday season (love, duh!), she also uses a playful spoken interlude to keep it relatable: “I don’t need anything. Take back all the Cartier and the Tiffany’s and the Chanel. Well, can I keep that Chanel? Please?”

“Cozy Little Christmas” marks Perry’s first new solo music since last year’s Witness. And while that album was met with very mixed reviews, surely this festive little tune will be a crowd-pleaser all around. The new song is available exclusively on Amazon Music, so cozy up and take a listen below.

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Claressa Shields: Hannah Rankin ready to face Olympic champion in Kansas

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Hannah Rankin has won five of her seven professional fights
WBC world title fight: Claressa Shields v Hannah Rankin
Venue: Kansas Star Arena, Kansas Date: Saturday, 17 November

“When you go out to play the bassoon, no-one is going to be punching you in the face.”

Scottish boxer Hannah Rankin is a classically-trained musician, more familiar with orchestra pits than fighting Olympic champions.

But on Saturday night, a long way from the farm near Loch Lomond where she grew up, the 28-year-old will bounce into a boxing ring to face Claressa Shields.

The unbeaten two-time Olympic champion’s IBF and WBA middleweight titles will be on the line, as will the vacant WBC belt. Rankin wants all three for herself.

“Nobody can take away what she has achieved, but we’ve seen flaws and we are going to exploit them,” she says, motivated by the chance to become Scotland’s first female world champion.

Here, Rankin tells BBC Sport Scotland about being the “black sheep” of her farming family, the similarities between the boxing ring and the stage, and how becoming world champion would “blow my brain”.

‘I was the black sheep of the family’

Rankin grew up on a sheep farm near Luss – “on a mountain in the middle of nowhere” – within sight of Loch Lomond. She spent most of her childhood summers with her two sisters and parents shearing sheep and rolling fleeces.

“It was really idyllic,” she says. “When I was a teenager it obviously was not as cool because I wanted to be out with my friends but now I really appreciate going back home.

“My two younger sisters have gone into farming and the running joke is that I’m the black sheep of the family. I was always interested in so many other things.”

One of those things was music. Rankin recalls “falling in love” at the age of 15 with a bassoon donated to her school.

She went on to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, travelled the world with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, and did a masters at the Royal Academy of Music, in London.

“The bassoon looked different and was the perfect instrument for me,” says Rankin, whose granddad was a music teacher and mum played the piano, cello and French horn.

“Music was something my mum was really passionate about. She was always at all of my concerts, but she was my biggest critic. She’s not with me anymore but she was my number one fan.”

‘Boxing and playing in an orchestra are just the same’

Rankin’s mum, who died of cancer in 2013, was not such an admirer of her interest in combat sports. She wanted her to protect her hands and preserve her musical ambitions.

But having taken up taekwondo as a child, the youngster graduated to Thai boxing before moving to London, and it was there that she was introduced to boxing.

“I started doing a little bit of boxing for fitness and I fell in love with it,” she says. “I did white-collar boxing to raise some money for charity, then the competitive instinct kicked in and I turned professional.”

All the while, her music career was growing in tandem, playing with the London Sinfonietta at Festival Hall, and Swan Lake at The Coliseum with the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.

Indeed, once this fight is over, she will return to the UK to perform Hansel and Gretel, The Opera as part of a quintet.

But while those two worlds seem an odd juxtaposition, Rankin insists there are plenty of “transferable techniques”.

“It’s a similar adrenaline rush, and you’ve got to control the nerves and excitement and just enjoy the moment in both,” she says. “You’ve only got one chance to get it right on stage or in the ring.

“A classical music audience sit there nicely and listen, but once I get under the lights, it’s the same scenario. It’s you and your opponent, or it’s you and the orchestra, you’re a team or you’re one-on-one.

“Whenever I tell anyone from the boxing family that I’m a classical musician, they all think I’m a little bit nuts.

“And some of the orchestra were concerned about my hands and my mouth, but I think they can really respect the level of dedication it takes to be at the top level in sport.”

‘Becoming world champion would blow my brain’

Rankin’s last contest was in New York in August, when she lost by unanimous decision to Alicia Napoleon for the WBA super middleweight title.

That was only her seventh pro fight and second in the US, with her previous bout being when she beat Sanna Turunen in Paisley in June to claim the WBC silver middleweight belt.

The Scot acknowledges she will be expected to lose to double Olympic champion Shields – who has been threatening to “make her pay” – but is relishing the opportunity.

“Coming in as the underdog takes a lot of pressure off me and puts it mainly on Claressa,” says Rankin, who will find a quiet corner to “chat” with her mum before the fight.

“I’ve got an opportunity to win not just one, but three world titles – if you’re going to do it, go big. Once it’s over and I become champion, then I can think about everything else.

“I’m so proud to be going over to America to represent Scotland. No-one really understands how amazing a thing that is unless they’ve had a chance to do it.

“To be the first ever female in Scotland to have a world title would blow my brain.”

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Sharp’s AQUOS R2 Compact boasts two notches, if you can’t get enough

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As phonemakers try their best to make the notch look less obvious, Sharp is doubling it up.

The Japanese electronics maker has unveiled its AQUOS R2 Compact, featuring the company’s first “double notch” design.

While the top notch houses the front-facing camera, the bottom notch features a fingerprint reader which sits below the 5.2-inch 2280 x 1080 IGZO LCD.

Measuring 64 mm wide, it’s noticeably narrower than the newer iPhones and other higher end Android smartphones. Sharp boasts that its design means the phone can be used easily with one hand, a dream that’s long subsided for us.

Aside from that, the AQUOS R2 Compact runs on Android 9 Pie, boasting a Snapdragon 845 processor, 64GB of internal storage, 4GB of RAM, a 22.6-megapixel rear camera, and a 2,500mAh battery.

It’s unlikely you’ll see the phone outside of Japan when it releases on SoftBank in January next year, sad news if you’re one of those people who can’t get enough of the notch.

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Rep of Ireland 0-0 N Ireland: Low-key Dublin friendly ends in stalemate

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The sides were meeting for the first time since 2011

Northern Ireland failed to take their chances and had to settle for a draw in their friendly match against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

Two fantastic saves by Republic keeper Darren Randolph prevented wingers Gavin Whyte and Jordan Jones from taking good opportunities for the visitors.

Shane Duffy had the best chance for the home side but his first-half header was saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

It was a fifth draw in 11 meetings between the sides.

The result means Northern Ireland have won just twice in 12 games, having lost all three of their opening Nations League Group B3 matches.

With Austria having drawn on Thursday night with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Michael O’Neill’s men are relegated from the group before they play their final match against the Austrians at Windsor Park on Sunday.

Northern Ireland’s Jordan Jones had one of the best chances but failed to make it count

The Republic’s recent form has not been much better, with a 2-1 friendly victory over the USA in June now their only victory in their last 10 outings.

They are bottom of their Group B4 Nations League table, having drawn one and lost two of their three matches and will complete their campaign with a trip to Denmark on Monday.

Randolph to Republic’s rescue

Northern Ireland have been creating plenty of chances in recent matches without taking them and that was the case again in Thursday’s friendly.

Oxford United winger Whyte had the first big opportunity of the night in the 14th minute when Liam Boyce released Stuart Dallas down the left with a hooked pass and he showed great composure to square the ball to Whyte.

The former Crusaders man, who has been in fine form since joining Oxford in the summer, took a touch and Randolph raced off his line to make a superb save at his feet.

Darren Randolph’s saves earned him the man of the match award

Randolph had to show all of his awareness again in the 72nd minute to ensure a terrible mistake by defender Darragh Lenihan did not lead to a crucial goal.

Kilmarnock player Jones was not long off the bench when he pounced to rob Lenihan of possession to go through on goal, but his shot was too close to the advancing Middlesbrough keeper who once again made an excellent save.

Dallas shines for Northern Ireland

Playing on the left of Northern Ireland’s front three, Stuart Dallas was in sparkling form, particularly in the first half.

The Leeds United man is always full of running for his country and that was the case once more as he made sure Republic captain Seamus Coleman had a busy night on his return to international football after a long-term absence.

The 27-year-old former Crusaders man showed great composure in the 14th minute to set up Whyte for his great chance – and twice came close to scoring himself.

He curled an effort from the edge of the box just wide on 25 minutes and four minutes before half-time he was played in down the left by Davis. He beat Lenihan for pace and advanced into the box before curling a low effort that just didn’t have enough power and was saved well by Randolph.

Stuart Dallas, a star performer for Northern Ireland, in action against the Republic’s James McClean

Republic lacking firepower

Scoring goals had been a major problem for both sides coming into this friendly and hitting the net once again eluded them.

Of the six strikers named by Martin O’Neill in the Republic squad, a single Aiden O’Brien goal was all they had between them on the international stage, which perhaps helps explain why they have now scored only five goals in 10 matches.

Ronan Curtis has been finding the net for Portsmouth this season and came on for his international debut at half-time. The former Derry City man looked lively but could not carve out a goalscoring opportunity.

Their best chance of the night fell to Brighton defender Duffy in the 21st minute from a dangerous free-kick by Robbie Brady, who was making his first international appearance for a year after a serious knee injury.

Duffy rose well to get his head to the cross but he planted his effort straight into the ground, with the ball looping towards goal and visiting goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell tipping over the crossbar.

Whelan gets emotional send-off

The home supporters among the 31,000 crowd in Dublin did not have a great deal to shout about in a performance which will not have done much to lift the gloom which has engulfed the squad recently.

However, they came together to cheer Glenn Whelan in the 35th minute, when the Aston Villa midfielder was substituted on what was most likely his final appearance.

Glenn Whelan was given a send-off befitting his faithful service in the green shirt

The Dubliner has not been in the team recently but was made captain for his 85th cap, a decade after his debut under Giovanni Trapattoni.

The 34-year-old, who has not officially retired from international football and has said he will still make himself available for selection if required, delivered a neat and tidy performance in his customary holding midfield role before making way for Conor Hourihane and handing the armband to regular skipper Seamus Coleman.

The key stats

  • Republic of Ireland have lost only one of their last nine international matches against Northern Ireland (W4 D4) – a 1-0 loss at home in May 1999.
  • Republic of Ireland have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions (D4 L5) and are winless in their last five (D3 L2) since a 2-1 victory against the USA back in June.
  • Northern Ireland have won just two of their last 12 games in all competitions (D3 L7) scoring just seven goals and conceding 14 during this period.
  • Northern Ireland have failed to score in any of their last seven away games (D2 L5), a run dating back to October 2017 – they last went longer without a goal away from home between May 1981 and October 1983 (run of nine).

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Someone tried roasting Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ wardrobe, and got meme’d

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Another man tried delegitimizing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and ended up getting both brutally ratio’d and beautifully meme’d.

Eddie Scarry, a media reporter for the Washington Examiner, tweeted a photo taken from behind the newly elected Democratic representative and wrote, “Hill staffer sent me this pic of Ocasio-Cortez they took just now. I’ll tell you something: that jacket and coat don’t look like a girl who struggles.” 

His smug attempt wasn’t received well by a majority of Twitter users.

In a New York Times interview last week, Ocasio-Cortez admitted that since she won’t receive a salary until she’s inaugurated into Congress in January, she can’t afford an apartment in Washington, D.C. yet. 

“There are many little ways in which our electoral system isn’t even designed (nor prepared) for working-class people to lead,” she later tweeted

Although many Americans supported her on social media, older conservatives have been ridiculing her and trying to poke holes in her claim. Fox News reported that she had “at least” $15,000 in savings, and then joked about her pricey clothing during a segment

Scarry’s absurd tweet — aside from being wildly invasive, because who even takes pictures of people just walking through their workplace? — became a copypasta as Twitter users paired his claim with hilarious photos.  

Other Twitter users pointed out how unnecessary Scarry’s tweet was. Just because she has a sense of style doesn’t mean Ocasio-Cortez has stacks!

Ocasio-Cortez, however, chose to take the high road. In a quote tweet, she reminded her followers of the double standard women in politics face. 

“Dark hates light,” she tweeted. “That’s why you tune it out.” 

And while we’re all here, can we stop referring to grown women as “girls?” Thanks. 

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England 3-0 USA: Wayne Rooney farewell appearance ends in victory

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Rooney replaced former Manchester United team-mate Jesse Lingard in the second half

England celebrated Wayne Rooney’s final international appearance with a comfortable friendly win over the United States at Wembley.

Rooney, winning his 120th cap in a fundraiser for his charitable foundation, made a 33-minute appearance on a night England showed their appreciation for their 33-year-old record goalscorer.

He emerged to take the captain’s armband with the Three Lions well in control in front of a healthy crowd of 68,155.

Gareth Southgate’s side were 2-0 up thanks to two goals in two minutes midway through the first half – Jesse Lingard opening the scoring with a spectacular curling effort, and Trent Alexander-Arnold adding a low, angled drive for his first international goal.

And if it was a memorable night for Rooney, who was denied a dream goal by Brad Guzan’s stoppage-time save, it was the same for Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson when he crowned his debut with a near-post finish 13 minutes from time.

It set England up nicely for Sunday’s Uefa Nations League game with Croatia at Wembley, which takes on great importance after the World Cup finalists’ 3-2 victory over Spain in Zagreb.

If England win they will finish top of Group A4 and qualify for next June’s semi-final and final. If they lose, they will be relegated.

Rooney’s special night

For all the mixed opinions evoked by the Football Association’s decision to give Rooney a sentimental final run-out for his 120th cap, there appeared no doubt in the minds of the Wembley crowd that this was a worthwhile exercise.

When the former England captain appeared before kick-off with his four children through a guard of honour formed by both teams to receive a presentation from FA chairman Greg Clarke and Harry Kane, it was the start of a genuine show of affection.

And Rooney beamed in appreciation as he warmed up near the touchline when Liverpool youngster Alexander-Arnold – another Merseysider – drilled in his first England goal.

The DC United striker was given a standing ovation when the big moment arrived, and he came on for Lingard for that final 33-minute appearance.

Rooney, who has excelled in Major League Soccer, looked trim and fit as the crowd cheered his every move, willing him to produce one more special England moment.

He almost delivered the dream finale in stoppage time when only the outstretched right arm of Guzan stopped him adding a 54th goal to his all-time England record. And, agonisingly, he was just unable to stretch enough to meet a cross six yards out seconds later.

Rooney took the acclaim of the crowd at the final whistle as the curtain came down on his England career.

Good night for Southgate and England

England’s night may have been partly ceremonial as Wembley paid that final tribute to Rooney, but it was also a night of serious business for Southgate.

He and his players needed to build on the momentum delivered by the superb win against Spain in Seville, which was one of the factors leading to the criticism this was effectively turned into a Rooney testimonial.

Southgate can certainly be satisfied with plenty of what he saw, albeit against a United States side that looked very poor, despite Christian Pulisic forcing a fine save from Jordan Pickford at 0-0.

England, though much-changed, played with pace and there was certainly plenty to take from the new-look side, including a debut goal for the hard-working Wilson and a solid performance from Brighton defender Lewis Dunk on his first appearance, although he was barely tested. The same applied to Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy as he won his first cap as a second-half substitute for Pickford.

Southgate is now likely to select his strongest available side for what is a winner-takes-all final Nations League fixture here against Croatia on Sunday.

Croatia inflicted that second successive defeat on Spain while England were winning here so the equation is clear cut – and the World Cup finalists have demonstrated once more what a dangerous side they can be.

Wilson’s Cherry on the cake – the stats

  • England have won all three of their games against USA at Wembley, by an aggregate score of 7-0.
  • England’s starting XI had just 94 caps between them coming into this match – the last time they fielded a more inexperienced side was in May 1980 against Australia (46).
  • This was England’s biggest home win since beating Scotland 3-0 in November 2016.
  • There were just 104 seconds between Lingard’s opener and Alexander-Arnold making it 2-0.
  • At 20 years 39 days, Alexander-Arnold became the youngest Liverpool player to score for England since Michael Owen against Luxembourg in September 1999 (19y 264d).
  • Wilson became the first Bournemouth player to score for England, and the first player to score on his debut for England since Marcus Rashford in May 2016.

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Black Friday 2018 Amazon deals: Shop sales on Fire tablets, Echo Spot, and more for Cyber Week

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Start saving now on Amazon devices before Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here.
Start saving now on Amazon devices before Black Friday and Cyber Monday are here.

Image: Amazon

With Black Friday only a week away, Amazon isn’t waiting for the shopping holiday to officially begin. The online retailer is throwing caution to the wind and announcing deals really early, so you can save on great products for the holidays. 

We’ve rounded up the best deals we’re loving right now on Amazon, and are even giving you a sneak peek at what’s going to be on sale before the deals are actually live. So all you have to do is skim through this roundup and pick the products that would make the perfect gift for your friends and family — or for yourself because you totally deserve it. (Hot tip: Add what you’re coveting to your shopping cart now, then once the deals go live just check out!)

SEE ALSO: Shopping tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Amazon officially kicks off its Black Friday sale on Friday, Nov. 16, when even more products from great brands like Microsoft, Samsung, Sony, Fisher-Price, Mattel, and more go on sale for the holiday season. There are even deals on Amazon’s devices for video streaming and home security. 

In fact, the retail giant also has deals on turkeys for Thanksgiving from Whole Foods. Now that’s what we call synergy! 

And keep checking back on this post, as we’ll be updating it with new deals from Amazon as they become available.

Here are the best deals for Black Friday and beyond — so far:

Best Black Friday deals right now

Amazon devices on sale now

4K TVs

Laptops

Smart home

Home products

Toys on sale

Smartwatches

Deals starting on Friday, Nov. 16

Amazon devices on sale

Electronics and accessories

Toys for boys and girls

Fashion and accessories

Household and home furnishings

Smart home products

Gaming and accessories

Audible, music, and e-books

  • For a limited time, save 53% on an Audible membership for three months at $6.95 a month

  • For a limited time, new Amazon Music Unlimited customers can get three months of the premium streaming tier for just $0.99 and enjoy unlimited access to more than 50 million songs and hands-free listening with Alexa

  • Save up to 80% on select Kindle best-selling books

  • Get three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0.99 – Enjoy unlimited access to over one million books, popular magazines and thousands of books with Audible narration. Offer valid for new subscribers only

Pets and more

Sports and outdoors

Automotive

Whole Foods Market

  • Through Nov. 22, customers will be able to purchase select organic ($3.49/lb) and no antibiotic ($2.49/lb) turkeys, and Prime members will save even more on turkeys ($2.99/lb organic/$1.99/lb no antibiotic). Customers can reserve their turkeys in advance at wholefoodsmarket.com. Prime members who place their orders in advance online will be eligible for the lower prices on turkeys.

  • Through Nov. 22, customers who are not yet Prime members can receive $20 off their next Whole Foods Market in-store purchase of $20 or more when they sign up for Prime at amazon.com/PrimeSavings. New members can try Prime free for 30 days, full promotion details are at amazon.com/PrimeSavings.

Deals starting on Sunday, Nov. 18

Amazon devices on sale

Deals starting on Wednesday, Nov. 21

Amazon devices on sale

Deals starting on Thursday, Nov. 22

Amazon devices on sale

Deals starting on Friday, Nov. 23

Keep checking back, as there are sure to be way more deals launching on Black Friday.

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