Football: England play Mexico in a World Cup warm-up match

It's a glorious summer's evening in north west London and the Bobby Moore statue, a pertinent reminder of England's past World Cup glory, is silhouetted outside the stadium Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Nearby, a couple of car-flags billow in the breeze. It's sure to be a familiar sight on hatchbacks and Transit vans up and down the nation over the coming month and a half Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... while this chap opts for the hand-held flag variety Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk England's opponents tonight are Mexico - a nation whose World Cup hopes were almost ruined by Sven Goran Eriksson. Fortunately, the Swede was ousted from his coaching job with enough time spare for Mexico to fight back and salvage their qualification campaign ... Speaking of fighting, here are a couple of guys wearing Lucha Libre wrestling masks - requisite attire for Mexicans fans Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk John Terry was left out of proceedings tonight following his exertions in the FA Cup final Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Here he is with his fellow absentees Joe Cole, who looks amused, and Ashley Cole, who looks bemused Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk The teams line up in front of the fans who are wearing t-shirts that make up a huge St George flag Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk It's all in the detail, as this pair seem to realise as they get down to a some vital face painting Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Steven Gerrard, sporting a patch of remedial gunk on his head following a nasty aerial collision early in the match, is levered off the ball by Mexico's captain Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Theo Walcott used his pace to good effect in the first half ... here, he draws a foul from Salcido on the edge of the box Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Jamie Carragher barks instructions at his team-mates. It's as if he's never been away Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Tottenham's ever-wounded defender Ledley King was among Fabio Capello's starting eleven for the match. Not a bad call by the Italian boss, it turned out, as King scored England's first goal of the night by steering a header into the top corner from Peter Crouch's assist Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Crouch also found the net to make it 2-0 to England in the 34th minute. His effort was as controversial as it was ungainly - the ball seemed to roll off his forearm as he leapt for a header beneath the crossbar. Oh, and he was clearly offside. Few complaints from the Mexicans, though Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Wayne Rooney is sandwiched by two players and gets a face full of Wembley's berated turf Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins Photograph: Tom Jenkins/guardian.co.uk Michael Carrick flies into a tackle Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Leighton Baines, one of several hopefuls looking to squeeze onto the plane to South Africa, rises above Mexico's Dos Santos. Baines was nutmegged on the line shortly before half-time as Mexico pulled a goal back Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Glen Johnson and Carlos Vela battle for possession. Johnson surely booked his room in Rustenburg after scoring what TV pundit and former England dream-wrecker Gareth Southgate later termed a "cultured" left-footed shot. 3-1 to England Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Rooney gives him a headlock for his effort Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Rooney heads earthwards once more, this time under the challenge of Rafael Marquez Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ... and again. Good job he's got sufficient padding for all these heavy landings Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Joe Hart, brought on in the second half in place of the impressive Robert Green, saves a wobbling shot as England ride out the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Never one to miss out on the limelight, David Beckham somehow ends up on the pitch applauding the fans at the final whistle Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Meanwhile, Johnson and King thank the fans for their support. Truth be told, it wasn't the most convincing team performance. In fact, Mexico were the better side for the first 45 minutes. But England will be happy enough to leave London with a win Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk