• International friendlies round-up

England fight back to stun Italy

Phil Jagielka scored his first senior England goal © Getty Images

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Jermain Defoe came off the bench to smash a magnificent winner as England exacted revenge on Italy for their Euro 2012 exit with a 2-1 win in Switzerland.

Roy Hodgson's men were knocked out of the Euros on penalties by the Azzurri but a new-look line-up that included only Ashley Young from the side that lost in the quarter-finals in Kiev ensured England remain unbeaten under the former Liverpool boss in open play.

Italy had the better of the opening exchanges and were rewarded when Daniele De Rossi gave them the lead after heading in Alessandro Diamanti's corner. England did not have to wait too long to get back on level terms, however, Phil Jagielka thumping his diving header past goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.

There were worrying signs for England as Ryan Bertrand was forced to clear off the line but, after Federico Peluso deflected the ball onto his own post, Defoe - on for Andy Carroll - found space on the edge of the area and rifled into the top corner 12 minutes from time.

Wales' preparations for their World Cup qualification campaign ended on a sobering note with 2-0 defeat against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Llanelli.

Goals from Vedad Ibisevic and Miroslav Stevanovic gave the visitors, inspired by a terrific performance from Manchester City's Edin Dzeko, a deserved win. The closest Wales came to a goal was when Joe Allen hit the crossbar in the first half, while Gareth Bale also threatened sporadically, but it was a dispiriting night for the hosts.

Republic of Ireland conjured an admirable performance to secure a 0-0 draw against Serbia as they consigned their harrowing Euro 2012 campaign to the past.

Martin Paterson's 84th-minute penalty earned Northern Ireland an entertaining 3-3 draw in a see-saw friendly encounter against Finland at Windsor Park. Having failed to score in both of manager Michael O'Neill's previous matches, the goals finally came, with Shane Ferguson and Paterson opening their international accounts and the returning Kyle Lafferty underlining his importance with his ninth senior strike.

Northern Ireland were 2-0 ahead after a bright start but two goals in as many minutes from Tim Sparv and Teemu Pukki, followed by an unstoppable second-half free-kick from Perparim Hetemaj, left them needing Paterson's late intervention.

Jordan Rhodes marked his first Scotland start with his first senior international goal in a 3-1 win over Australia at Easter Road.

Jordan Rhodes celebrates his goal © PA Photos

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The visitors took the lead in the friendly thanks to a superb volley from Mark Bresciano before Huddersfield striker Rhodes levelled, and a Jason Davidson own goal and a strike from Ross McCormack sealed the victory for Craig Levein's men.

France failed to make the most of their chances as they played out a 0-0 draw against Uruguay at the Grande Stade du Havre. Les Bleus can count themselves slightly unlucky not to have won the game after hitting the post through both Mapou Yanga M'Biwa and Karim Benzema, but Uruguay also went close through Sebastian Abreu.

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi missed a penalty but still got on the scoresheet as Argentina romped to a 3-1 victory in Germany.

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