June 30 (Reuters) – Four second-half goals led England to a 4-0 away win over Switzerland on Thursday in Sarina Wiegman’s side’s final test ahead of the European Women’s Championship which begins next week.

England struggled in the first half against the Swiss, who suffered a 7-0 defeat by Germany in the previous game but caught up after the break thanks to quality substitutions.

Striker Alessia Russo put the visitors ahead with a superb header in the 56th minute. Less than 20 minutes later, midfielder Georgia Stanway doubled the lead with a penalty.

Substitutes Bethany England and Jill Scott added two more goals to seal the injury-time goal.

“In the first half there were times when we could have scored but we were patient,” Russo told ITV.

“We talked about keeping the pace up and the substitutes came and made the difference. It was great. The team put in a great performance.

“Sometimes it doesn’t get nice and you just have to work for victory. Now we can really get into that and focus on the Euros. We are all very excited.”

England have scored 12 goals and conceded just once in their three friendlies before the tournament as they go into their home European Championship as one of the favorites – which was postponed last year due to COVID-19.

England meet Austria in the Euro opener at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk Editing by Christian Radnedge

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