Friendly Match: England held to 1-1 draw by Ireland at Wembley
England were held to a 1-1 draw by the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Wednesday in the sides' first meeting since 1995.
Ashley Cole captained England as a reward for winning his 100th cap last autumn, but it was Ireland who were celebrating when Shane Long headed the opener.
Darting in front of Glen Johnson, Long glanced Seamus Coleman's pin-point cross beyond the reach of Joe Hart and into the top corner of the net.
England began to show a little more intent after going behind, and it soon paid dividends. Sturridge broke down the left flank and when Sean St Ledger failed to clear the 23-year-old's cross, Lampard was on hand to cutely poke the ball past Forde from close range.
Goalkeeper David Forde was busy in the second half as he evoked memories of Packie Bonner keeping out the English attack in the 1990 World Cup.
England have not beaten Ireland since 1985 and they struggled to break down Giovanni Trapattoni's fiercely committed and well organised side.
In the end Ireland earned a deserved 1-1 draw.
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"I have reason to be happy with the way we played," Trapattoni said.
"England had more possession but we knew this. England is one of the three or four strongest countries in the world. This draw for me is good. In 90 minutes the result is right."
Trapattoni was delighted by the performances of his younger players, singling out Long, Coleman and James McCarthy.
"They needed this experience and they will learn from it," the Italian said.
England travel to Rio de Janeiro to play Brazil in a friendly on Sunday when Ireland host Georgia
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Ashley Cole captained England as a reward for winning his 100th cap last autumn, but it was Ireland who were celebrating when Shane Long headed the opener.
Darting in front of Glen Johnson, Long glanced Seamus Coleman's pin-point cross beyond the reach of Joe Hart and into the top corner of the net.
England began to show a little more intent after going behind, and it soon paid dividends. Sturridge broke down the left flank and when Sean St Ledger failed to clear the 23-year-old's cross, Lampard was on hand to cutely poke the ball past Forde from close range.
Goalkeeper David Forde was busy in the second half as he evoked memories of Packie Bonner keeping out the English attack in the 1990 World Cup.
England have not beaten Ireland since 1985 and they struggled to break down Giovanni Trapattoni's fiercely committed and well organised side.
In the end Ireland earned a deserved 1-1 draw.
Get England football tickets: England vs Scotland tickets available on 1st4 Football Tickets .com
"I have reason to be happy with the way we played," Trapattoni said.
"England had more possession but we knew this. England is one of the three or four strongest countries in the world. This draw for me is good. In 90 minutes the result is right."
Trapattoni was delighted by the performances of his younger players, singling out Long, Coleman and James McCarthy.
"They needed this experience and they will learn from it," the Italian said.
England travel to Rio de Janeiro to play Brazil in a friendly on Sunday when Ireland host Georgia
About 1st4FootballTickets.com: Thousands of football tickets are on sale on Europe's biggest football ticketing website: We have World Cup 2014 qualifier tickets such as England vs Moldova tickets, Scotland vs Belgium tickets and football tickets for England vs Montenegro. But also other football tickets such as FIFA Confederations Cup tickets and Premier League 2013-14 tickets.
