England ease to Peru victory

England enjoyed a comfortable run-out in their 2014 FIFA World Cup warm-up game against Peru, overcoming their South American friendly opponents 3-0 at Wembley.

Roy Hodgson's men may have lacked fluency as their opening fixture in Brazil looms ever larger, but they boosted morale with an ultimately deserved success. Daniel Sturridge opened the scoring with an exquisite goal just after the half-hour and, just as Peru were starting to play with more confidence, Gary Cahill and Leighton Baines hit the target from corners.

Both teams began in subdued mood, with England dominating possession but struggling to use it to good effect. The first half-chance fell to the visitors, in fact, with Alberto Rodríguez releasing debutant Jean Deza via a neat through pass and Joe Hart having to rush off his line to smother the danger.

The Manchester City FC goalkeeper also reacted well to claim the ball after a Deza effort had deflected off Cahill, before Sturridge whipped a shot just wide at the other end. The Liverpool FC forward was not to be denied on 32 minutes, though, collecting the ball from Glen Johnson's throw on the right side of the Peru area and cutting inside to unleash a superb dipping strike high into the far corner.

England were nonetheless grateful to their keeper once again before the half was over, their lead maintained when Hart saved with his legs after Rodríguez had found himself one on one. Peru continued to threaten after the interval as well, with Deza showing more of his promise with a long-range effort that landed on Hart's net.

A pair of set pieces swiftly gave the home side breathing space, however. First, Cahill headed in from a Leighton Baines corner with 65 minutes gone, and shortly afterwards Cahill's central defensive partner Jagielka also registered, pouncing after goalkeeper Raúl Fernández had spilled another Baines corner.

The Three Lions continue their preparations for Brazil with friendlies in Miami against Ecuador and Honduras next Wednesday and Saturday respectively, before they open their Group D campaign against Italy in Manaus on 14 June.