England demonstrate attacking prowess in 5-1 win over Italy

Updated: Feb 27, 2024, 02:01 pm

England showed off their considerable firepower with an impressive victory over Italy in Algeciras, Spain, on Tuesday, emerging as 5-1 winners in the friendly.

Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy opened the scoring in the second minute, stooping well to divert Alex Greenwood's accurate corner into Laura Giuliani's net. It was Wubben-Moy's first international goal, coming in her first England start since June 2022.

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There was more than a hint of fortune about the Lionesses' second goal, which stemmed from another Greenwood corner. Giuliani punched the initial delivery before Everton's Aurora Galli tried to clear the lines for Italy, but the ball bounced off Hemp and into the goal.

Sarina Wiegman's team, who impressed in a 7-2 win over Austria on Friday, dominated proceedings in the first half and it wasn't long before the third goal came.

Georgia Stanway battled to win the ball in the right corner of the box, before lifting it into the path of Hemp who coolly headed into the net.

Lotte Wubben-Moy scored her first England goal in the dominant win.
Photo by Fran Santiago - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

Italy got one back on the brink of half-time, capitalising on a loose pass in the England defence before Michela Catena set up Michela Cambiaghi, who calmly slotted past Mary Earps.

England's depth of resources was highlighted by Wiegman's substitutes at the break as Lauren James and Jess Carter replaced Alessia Russo and Niamh Charles, respectively.

The second half proved a quieter affair, though England continued to dominate possession. James displayed her prodigious talent with a stinging left-footed strike in the 63rd minute which Giuliani saved well, before England got their fourth to end the game as a contest in the 69th minute.

James received the ball on the left wing and created the space for a cross before expertly picking out fellow substitute Ella Toone, who guided the ball home with a a sweet volley.

The fifth goal came in the 79th minute after Rachel Daly reacted fastest to an underhit backpass before rolling the ball into the empty goal.

Eight different players scored in England's two February friendlies as the Lionesses racked up 12 goals.