England’s women sail to victory over Switzerland in final warm-up game

England’s women sail to victory over Switzerland in final warm-up game

England ended their Euro warm-up with another win as Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and substitutes Beth England and Jill Scott defeated Switzerland 4-0 in Zurich.

The Lionesses took the lead through Russo’s header in the 56th minute when striker Rachel Daly’s delivery hit.

Stanway then doubled the lead with a penalty in the 74th minute, England nodded two minutes later and Scott then went fourth with an injury-time header of his own.

It was another strong performance from Sarina Wiegman’s side in the second half after scoring three goals in the first warm-up after the break in their 3-0 win over Belgium at Molineux, then four in the 5-1 win over the Netherlands at Elland Road last week, with the substitutes making an impact again.

And it’s 12 wins in 14 unbeaten games under the Dutchwoman for England, who appear in remarkably fine form ahead of Wednesday’s opener of their European Championship campaign at Old Trafford against Austria.

Wiegman made three changes to their starting line-up, with Russo and Stanway coming on as substitutes along with Beth Mead after her brace against the Dutch.

Those leaving the team included Lucy Bronze, who was out due to illness, while record goalscorer Ellen White was back in the squad on the bench after missing last time out due to coronavirus.

After clearing a Coumba Sow cross in the opening seconds, England were soon ahead and Fran Kirby looked safe in the fourth minute, but her shot was saved with her leg by Seraina Friedli.

Lauren Hemp then sent a punch into Friedli’s arms, and Russo saw her stabbing attempt claimed on the second try by the keeper on the line.

At the other end, Mary Earps grappled with a Ramona Bachmann free-kick and skipper Leah Williamson, who started the game in defense rather than midfield, successfully fended off Ana-Marie Crnogorcevic as she attempted to go in goal .

Crnogorcevic then showed her defensive prowess with a fine header from the line just after the half-hour as Daly hit a corner before converting a fine cross from Sandly Maendly just past the back post into the English net.

As the break neared, England had rejected appeals Noelle Maritz had handled in the Swiss box from Spanish referee Ainara Acevedo Dudley.

They then took the lead early in the second half when Williamson played a nice ball forward, Daly threw it into the box and Russo headed in over Friedli.

Wiegman freshened things up just after the hour mark with a quadruple substitution that saw Russo replaced by England.

Friedli denied Hemp, Switzerland had a chance when Sow misused a ball off the back post and England sent a header wide and saw another brilliantly saved by Friedli.

The guests were then awarded a penalty after a handball by Lara Marti, which Stanway emphatically shot into the corner.

And moments later the lead was extended further as England headed into Stanway’s corner.

Scott came on as a substitute for her 157th cap soon after, scoring in the dying seconds by heading in from close range.


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