England sign off with a win

England overcame a tricky Mexico side 3-1 at Wembley in their last home friendly before the World Cup finals in South Africa.

England overcame a tricky Mexico side 3-1 at Wembley in their last home friendly before the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Goals from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and a superb Glen Johnson strike put the gloss on a workmanlike performance against Javier Aguirre's talented Mexico side.

England, who rested Chelsea's Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole as well as goalkeeper David James, handed chances to World Cup hopefuls King, James Milner and Robert Green.

The hosts took the lead on 17 minutes through central defender King's well-taken header following a Steven Gerrard corner and good work from Crouch.

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Mexico, who kick off the World Cup on June 11th against hosts South Africa, were twice denied an equaliser on the half hour after an impressive save by Green and a Carlos Salcido shot that bounced off the post and wide.

England doubled their advantage on 34 minutes when Crouch bundled home on the line after Wayne Rooney's header had been acrobatically tipped on to the crossbar.

Seconds before the interval the visitors deservedly found the net when Leighton Baines's weak goal-line clearance left Guillermo Franco with a simple tap-in.

Capello, who introduced goalkeeper Joe Hart at halftime along with experienced defender Jamie Carragher, saw his side add a third almost immediately after the restart through Johnson's brilliant curling effort.

England, who face the United States, Algeria and Slovenia in Group C in the June 11-July 11 tournament, have a May 30 friendly against Japan in Graz, Austria before the final 23-man squad is selected.