Scotland managed to put England under some light pressure early on by making a couple of forays into the home side's area, Scott Brown first losing the ball but showing great industry to win it back and resume his attack, but the massed England defence managed to thwart the attack, threatening to counter before Steven Whittaker was alert to do some defending at the other end of the pitch.
England vs. Scotland, International friendly: Half-time score 1-1, Walcott cancels out Morrison’s opener
Scotland took a shock lead at Wembley through James Morrison, but England struck back with a great goal from Theo Walcott.
England struggled to create too much going forward, and paid for their complacency in the tenth minute when Scotland won their first corner of the game. A slightly strange routine, with a number of Scots attacking the ball from deep saw the ball only half-cleared, and James Morrison was allowed to take a touch before firing a shot in at goal, which Joe Hart parried into his own net to give the visitors a shock lead.
The goal failed to wake England up, however, who were still extremely lethargic both on and off the ball, their play characterised by shots blazed well over the bar and careless offside passes.
England continued to show signs of nerviness, almost creating another disaster when Gary Cahill played the ball straight to Robert Snodgrass, but the Norwich winger lacked the pace to break clear of the England defence, and the ball was eventually put out by the retreating Danny Welbeck, the referee erroneously awarding a goal-kick.
Tom Cleverley had the best opportunity so far for England shortly afterwards, finding the ball rebounding into his path no more than five yards from goal, but the Manchester United midfielder could not keep his footing and sprawled over before he could get a shot away, allowing Allan McGregor to collect the ball.
Theo Walcott, however, found the equaliser shortly afterwards, showing too much pace for a surprisingly high Scottish defensive line, bursting down the right before beating Steven Whittaker on inside and out, slotting the ball with his left foot just inside McGregor's near post before the Hull keeper could stick out a leg.
Scotland had another chance themselves, however, Snodgrass again finding space down the left but electing to attempt to find Kenny Miller with a low cross rather than shoot, the ball being knocked behind for a corner, which came to nothing.
Much attention had been on Wayne Rooney in the pre-match buildup, but on the evidence of the first half, David Moyes' testimony that he was not fit to be playing appeared to be on the money as the United man struggled to get into the rhythm of the game.
It’s been a relatively well-matched half at Wembley, and it’ll be interesting to see whether Roy Hodgson keeps Rooney on or substitutes him at half-time. This one could go either way.
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