Rashford became the 10th youngest player in England's history when he started against Australia

Marcus Rashford made history by becoming the youngest player to score on his England debut as they beat Australia in a friendly at The Stadium Of Light.

Manchester United's Rashford - at 18 years and 208 days - beat the previous record set by Tommy Lawton in 1938 when he volleyed in after only 138 seconds.

He was then able to press his claims for inclusion in England's Euro 2016 squad when it is confirmed on Tuesday with an exciting display, especially with Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge not even able to make the substitutes' bench because of a calf injury.

Wayne Rooney, on as a half-time substitute, drilled home his 52nd England goal from Raheem Sterling's pass in the 55th minute before Eric Dier gave Australia hope with 15 minutes left by heading into his own net at the near post from Alex Wilkinson's cross.

Reaction to England's win over Australia

Listen to all of the goals on BBC Radio 5 live

Rashford illuminates the Stadium of Light

From the moment he came out for England's warm-up, Rashford looked perfectly at home on the international stage - and surely now manager Roy Hodgson will take him to Euro 2016.

Rashford was a threat for the entire 63 minutes he was on the pitch. There were moments when his inexperience showed, such as when his control let him down after being played in by Sterling in the first half - but this is a young man on a mission.

He demonstrated pace, control and a nerveless approach and even when he stumbled on another chance in the second half, he recovered his poise quickly to send a cross flashing into the six-yard box with his England colleagues just unable to get a touch.

Rashford departed to a deserved standing ovation. Now it seems certain he will be packing his bags and his passport for France.

Rooney still a shining light

Rooney is England's record goalscorer and scored his first goal as a substitute with his effort against Australia

Rooney's beaming smile gave the seal of approval to the young pretender Rashford when he volleyed home - but England's captain showed he is not ready to give way to the younger generation just yet with a vibrant second-half display.

The 30-year-old has never been under greater pressure for his England place with the emergence of Tottenham's Harry Kane and Leicester City's Jamie Vardy, whose goals helped make them Premier League champions.

He looked fresh and fit in his 45 minutes on the pitch, rifling a fine finish high past Matthew Ryan and also looking to create chances for his team-mates. Rooney will start England's Euro 2016 opener against Russia in Marseille on Saturday, 11 June.

England's defence still a worry

Dier's own goal was symptomatic of England's back line. They still look less than convincing in defence, even against a side as average as this Australia.

Dier, a defensive midfielder, was brought on in a centre-back role and had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes when he dived, unchallenged, at the near post and headed a low cross under Fraser Forster.

Manager Hodgson has time to work on his first-choice line-up before the opening game of Euro 2016 but he will be hoping Gary Cahill shakes off a hip injury because central defence is already one area of the team where England look vulnerable.

Australia got at England early on but never had the quality to pose a serious threat where others will at the sharp end of Euro 2016.

Bad night for Sturridge

Sturridge scored 13 goals in 25 appearances for Liverpool in another injury-hit season

Sturridge has suffered the misery of another injury setback, this time a calf problem that restricted him to a watching brief while Rashford claimed the headlines.

Liverpool's striker is a rare talent, as proved by his wonderful goal - a masterpiece of technique with the outside of his left foot - in the Europa League final defeat by Sevilla in Basel.

The problem is, however, an obvious one. Sturridge's fitness cannot be counted on and means Hodgson has only days to decide whether to take the gamble of putting him on the plane to France - especially as Rashford is providing him with an exciting new alternative.

What next?

Hodgson will trim his 26-man squad to 23 before the Tuesday, 31 May deadline and England will play their final warm-up game before Euro 2016 when they take on Portugal at Wembley on Thursday, 2 June.

Line-ups

Match Stats

Live Text Line-ups England 1 Forster Substituted for Heaton at 87' minutes

2 Clyne

5 Smalling Substituted for Dier at 73' minutes

6 Stones

3 Bertrand

7 Wilshere Substituted for Milner at 45' minutes

4 Henderson

8 Drinkwater

11 Lallana Substituted for Rooney at 45' minutes

9 Rashford Substituted for Barkley at 63' minutes

10 Sterling Substituted for Townsend at 76' minutes Substitutes 12 Walker

13 Heaton

14 Milner

15 Dier

17 Townsend

18 Kane

19 Rooney

20 Alli

21 Rose

22 Barkley

23 Hart Australia 1 Ryan

6 Risdon Substituted for Degenek at 74' minutes

5 Milligan

8 Wright

14 B Smith

15 Jedinak

21 Luongo Substituted for Ikonomidis at 58' minutes

13 Mooy Booked at 38mins Substituted for Irvine at 84' minutes

23 Rogic Substituted for Juric at 73' minutes

24 Maclaren Substituted for McKay at 58' minutes

10 Kruse Substituted for Goodwin at 84' minutes Substitutes 2 Behich

3 Inman

7 Mauk

9 Juric

11 Ikonomidis

12 Birighitti

17 McKay

18 Federici

19 Goodwin

20 Degenek

22 Wilkinson

25 Irvine Referee : Danny Makkelie Attendance : 46,595 Match Stats Live Text Post update Match ends, England 2, Australia 1. Full Time Second Half ends, England 2, Australia 1. Post update Foul by Mile Jedinak (Australia). Post update Andros Townsend (England) wins a free kick on the right wing. Post update Attempt missed. Jordan Henderson (England) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ross Barkley. Post update Attempt missed. Ross Barkley (England) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Substitution Substitution, England. Tom Heaton replaces Fraser Forster. Post update Attempt saved. Craig Goodwin (Australia) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Mile Jedinak with a cross. Post update Bailey Wright (Australia) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Post update Foul by Andros Townsend (England). Post update Mark Milligan (Australia) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Post update Foul by Wayne Rooney (England). Post update Foul by Milos Degenek (Australia). Post update Ryan Bertrand (England) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution Substitution, Australia. Jackson Irvine replaces Aaron Mooy. Substitution Substitution, Australia. Craig Goodwin replaces Robbie Kruse. Post update Attempt missed. Jordan Henderson (England) left footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Andros Townsend. Post update Corner, England. Conceded by Milos Degenek. Substitution Substitution, England. Andros Townsend replaces Raheem Sterling. goal Goal! Own Goal by Eric Dier, England. England 2, Australia 1. Page 1 of 6 rewind previous Navigate to the next page next Navigate to the last page forward