HEMP JUST TWO GOOD FOR ITALY

LAUREN HEMP believes England’s emphatic victories over Austria and Italy are the perfect springboard to launch the Lionesses’ European title defence.

England revelled in another goal fest as they thrashed Italy to round-off their friendly doubleheader in Spain with a brace from Hemp (celebrating above, with Alex Greenwood) and goals from Lotte Wubben-moy, Ella Toone and Rachel Daly.

Manager Sarina

Wiegman made five changes to the team which thrashed Austria 7-2 on Friday at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras.

But the changes hardly stilted England’s freeflowing goal-scoring, with Wubben-moy heading home Greenwood’s cross inside 60 seconds.

With 33 minutes gone, the Lionesses were three goals to the good, Hemp’s brace making light work of a disjointed Italian defence.

Le Azzurre grabbed a goal back just before the break through Michela Cambiaghi.

But a superb side-footed effort from substitute

Toone and cool finish from Daly provided evidence of the enviable strength in depth the European champions can rely on.

Substitute Lauren James almost added a sixth goal in the closing stages, with keeper Laura Giuliani doing well to save her shot.

Daly’s goal ensured eight different players got their name on the scoresheet across the two friendlies.

It was another dominant performance ahead of the Euro 2025 qualifiers, as Wiegman’s side begin the journey of defending the title they won on home soil in 20220.

Hemp said: “The squad’s in a great place, we’re full of confidence and off the back of these two wins.

“It’s massive for us to take into the qualifiers coming up.”