Callum Wilson got his first appearance for England in over three years in the 6-2 World Cup opening win against Iran on Monday. The striker came on for Harry Kane in the 76th minute with the match comfortably in England’s hands up 5-1.
There was more to come as Wilson teed up Jack Grealish in the 90th minute to get his first goal contribution since his debut goal against The United States in 2018. Wilson had an opportunity to a second goal to his international tally but unselfishly laid the ball on a plate for Grealish.
After the match, Wilson was asked about his assist. He revealed he was not tempted to go for goal with the pass being the right option. The Chronicle has published the following from the 30-year-old:
“No, always, as a striker, you want to score, you’re playing in a World Cup, you want to score a goal at the World Cup. But you have to make the right decision on the pitch, it’s about the team, not me as an individual.
“I think for me, in that moment, I made the decision to square it. It was the right one, the angle was closing up. You get repaid – that’s what happens in football, you give back and you receive as well so we’ll see how we go.
“As a player, as a striker you get given an opportunity, you’re coming away, you have to be ready to take it whether you’re first choice, second choice or third choice. There are players in the past, famous strikers you know, that didn’t play a minute in the group games and ended up becoming a hero and scoring in a World Cup final.
“So it’s a squad at the end of the day, it’s about the team and you just have to be ready when the opportunity arises. When you get given an opportunity, you have to make sure that you try and grasp it with both hands.
“We were winning the game, we were able to make a substitution, I came on and had a goal contribution, which is nice to add to the victory.”
Wilson is an experienced player who will not take this opportunity for granted. He came on and did exactly what Gareth Southgate would have wanted. The England boss declared he particularly liked England’s final goal saying:
“What I particularly liked was Jack Grealish’s goal with Callum Wilson on. He could have been selfish but he was thinking of the team even at that moment. I’m a miserable so and so. I should be more excited but I have to keep the team on the right track.”
Next up for England is a youthful United States team with a number of England-based players including Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, Fulham duo Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, and Leeds pair Tyler Roberts and Brenden Aaronson. They drew 1-1 against Wales today.
England is the class of the group and will provide a very difficult test for the inexperienced Americans. It’s probably four years too soon for the USA to do any damage. Though with youngsters Joe Scally, Yunus Musah, and Gio Reyna (son of former Sunderland midfielder Claudio) in tow, the future is brighter than it has been in years. The present is England’s.
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62 comments so far
check the toastie
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:09 PM
Comment #1TDS – we have more differences than just that bud. 🙂
Toonarmy of Frogs
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:18 PM
Comment #2Moore made the difference for Wales.
Started every decent attack. By far their best player today.
Mag52
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:26 PM
Comment #3Good result for England that.
Well done Wales for a great comeback.
Onwards and upwards.
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:29 PM
Comment #4I expect England to win all their games with ease in that group as they are light years ahead in quality to any of the teams in that group.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:29 PM
Comment #5Taco – definitely a shame to let a local lad go. Saying that, Shearer left and felt he had to go for the sake of his career. Hoping we can keep the best young, local players at the club from now on! Well, as many as realistically possible…even the best clubs in the world lose the odd one (Pogba, Sancho, Fabregas etc.)
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:35 PM
Comment #6I think i`ll shoot into the bookies tomorrow and stick a tenner on a double England to win the world cup plus Matty Hancock to be king of the jungle.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:38 PM
Comment #7Pulisic didn’t do too much. Think we already have better players at NUFC
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:42 PM
Comment #8Check – seems so! 🙂
I’m playing links golf tomorrow for the first time ever by the way…group of 16 of us, I only know 1 of them, and I’m the joint highest handicapper! Hah!
SirRhosis
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:46 PM
Comment #9Now, now Magic #4, don’t go putting the kiss of death on things!
🙂
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:46 PM
Comment #10TDS
Good luck in the golf tomorrow lad, no more golf for me to the spring mate 😀
SirRhosis
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:48 PM
Comment #11Why’s that Magic, will your hands freeze to your shaft?
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:49 PM
Comment #12Sir Rhosis Mr Doyle
If only i could my friend 😀 😀 😀
SirRhosis
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:52 PM
Comment #13It was a compliment Magic. I didn’t suppose that you played golf one handed
🙂
🙂
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:53 PM
Comment #14Sir Rhosis
Apologies mate i forgot to ask you how your recent holiday went, i trust you stayed well away from that bloody oul Devils Buttermilk 😀 😀
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:54 PM
Comment #15Magic – cheers. Going to be a big challenge I think but I’m playing ok at the moment. Won’t play as often this winter but going to keep going. Getting back into tennis a little as we’ve got indoors courts at my local gym.
Any chance of you bringing your clubs in April?
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:55 PM
Comment #16Sir Rhosis
Are you having a laugh i find it bloody hard enough playing golf with two hands 😀 😀
SirRhosis
Nov 21, 2022 at 9:57 PM
Comment #17It went very well mate, I left the wife at home 🙂
But I’m suffering a bit from it now. Feel a trip to the old NHS hotel coming on shortly 🙁
SirRhosis
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:00 PM
Comment #18Ah well, teatime on my timescale. Laters peeps
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:01 PM
Comment #19TDS
As i told you previously mate it`s just to much hassle bringing the clubs over on the plane, but if your going to the Southampton match i`ll be delighted to have a few pints and a few games of pool with you my friend.
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:06 PM
Comment #20Sir Rhosis
Keep the chin up mate, you have outstanding character and amazing spirit and your a real inspiration to us all given your circumstances mate.
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:10 PM
Comment #21Magic – beers and pool I can handle. Wasn’t sure if you’d given the clubs any more thought but fair enough. I think it doesn’t cost too much to put them in the hold but I agree that it’s hassle. Not sure if I’ll bother bringing mine either but depends on the likely weather and whether I know someone fun to play a round with.
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:21 PM
Comment #22TDS
The price of bringing the clubs over is not the problem mate it`s just the extra hassle, when over in the Toon apart from going to the match i also love the social aspect of meeting people and having a few beers as i have already done in meeting Raj Jail, Martoon and his 1st lady, Wor B, Swablr, the more the merrier TDS. A stranger is only a friend you haven`t met yet.
lochinvar
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:38 PM
Comment #23Blimey
Hope the Falcons are in better financial fettle.
What chance the Saudis take onboard Kingston Park and Bullocksteads as the site for the new state of the art Training Centre and Academy keeping Kingston Park stadium for the rugby and Newcastle Women’s football team ?
Sporting Club of Newcastle was a Sir John Hall vision if I recall.
The full extent of Worcester Warriors’ debts has finally been revealed as totalling more than £30m, in a report sent to the club’s creditors by their administrators, Begbies Traynor.
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:42 PM
Comment #24Wow how things have changed, the balls getting made for the 1966 world cup, i can remember playing with the old case and tube balls with the lace, when it got wet it was as heavy as a medicine ball, not an nice experience when you headed it on the lace you had a headache for about 3 days 😀 😀
https://youtu.be/lqX6_rWswPE
Munster Mag
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:47 PM
Comment #25Tds I haven’t followed Diers season closely and I’d imagine Check hasn’t either.
That said, what will say in favour if Check,is that Dier looks sh1te every time I see him.
JohnJ
Nov 21, 2022 at 10:54 PM
Comment #26Fenham,
Re last night’s post.
I appreciate your comments – I understand why you felt it was necessary to respond to the the comments made by another poster. It’s a shame but I always wonder why things from the past can’t be left in the past. The past can’t be changed one tiny bit even if there are things that we regret. We all have to learn the lessons of any wrongdoing and look to the future! Sadly our country has a lot to answer for but so have many others so we are not alone in the mistakes we’ve made. I’m sure Germany has many regrets for their actions during WW2 especially in relation to the horror of their treatment of the Jewish people. But I mentioned we’re sadly unable to change one little part of history – all we can do is try and learn from it!
Keep on posting Fenham! 🙂
JohnJ
Nov 21, 2022 at 11:01 PM
Comment #27Well I was pleased to see Trips get a start & Wilson get some game-time! I throght he was very generous in passing the ball to a certain player when he had a decent chance of scoring! 🙂
JohnJ
Nov 21, 2022 at 11:01 PM
Comment #28Thought!
magicmac54
Nov 21, 2022 at 11:11 PM
Comment #29John J
Well said there John, all our countries have done things in the past that were horrific and barbaric and definitely nothing to be proud of mate. We can`t change history or the past, but we can all play a roll in shaping a much better and respectful future towards each other John.
lesh
Nov 22, 2022 at 1:36 AM
Comment #30JohnJ
What a thoughtful post you left @24.
Let’s hope its message registers with the addressee.
Dubai Micky
Nov 22, 2022 at 5:47 AM
Comment #31The Aussies are whipping us down under.
Again.
Not another deJong
Nov 22, 2022 at 5:55 AM
Comment #32I didn’t see the England game and of course the highlights only show the goals, which there were plenty of. Listening to the Football Daily podcast it gives the impression that England have become the Newcastle team. Celebrating the win with family at the end to mark the moment, before moving on to the next match. Playing a formation that players are comfortable in, offers variety and the ability to control the game. Long May it continue and with the ability to play five subs, hopefully Wilson will get the winner in the final….still a long way
Not another deJong
Nov 22, 2022 at 6:01 AM
Comment #33Cameron White
Former Australia all-rounder on BBC Test Match Special
“The players would never say it but they’re ready for home. You could tell from the two captains at the toss, this series is over.“
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2022 at 6:14 AM
Comment #34DMicky,
Is it the ODI or T20?
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2022 at 6:19 AM
Comment #35Nadj,
I think Wilson’s assist at the end summed up your post nicely.
Not another deJong
Nov 22, 2022 at 6:48 AM
Comment #36I am just glad Southgate learnt something from his visits to SJP
ToonDarnSarf
Nov 22, 2022 at 6:56 AM
Comment #37Munster – Dier never looks amazing when I watch him either but you have to consider the context. He’s had a decent season so far according to most metrics and has played most of 14 games in the Premier League for a team sitting in 4th place.
Forget Burn for a minute (30 year olds don’t often get their first cap in a World Cup) and think about that his competition is players like Coady, Tarkowski, Guehi, Mee, and Gomez. We are not blessed in that position.
check the toastie
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:20 AM
Comment #38TDS – agree we are not blessed in that position. Dier is still bang average tho.
Cant run, its our weak link and will be shown to be that later in the comp most likely.
Enjoy the Links golf. Hope the weather is good for you. Just play it like a normal course, greens will be soft this time of the year anyways
check the toastie
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:22 AM
Comment #39DeJong – think southgate has actually learnt something from Eddie.
First time he has ever swapped out the top 4 in one substitution, very unlike Southgate.
He’s a nice guy Southgate, hope he does well. Hope he doesn’t revert to five at back later in tournament
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 22, 2022 at 7:23 AM
Comment #40Made a massive faux pas on the FFF, there’s no way i would have captained Trips with no bites of the cherry left to captain Messi today. I 100% changed my captain to Foden before it recognised it being on Estupian. That’s my excuse if I don’t win 😀