WHITE-HOT LIONESSES ELLEN’S TREBLE HELPS ENGLAND RIISE TO THE OCCASION
HEGE RIISE admits she has some tough choices ahead after watching England thrash Northern Ireland 6-0 in her first game in temporary charge at St George’s Park, where Ellen White scored a hat-trick.
The Lionesses had not played since March last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, they wasted little time in this behind-closed-doors friendly.
White struck twice in the first half, when Lucy Bronze was also on target, before completing her treble in the 48th minute.
Rachel Daly added a fourth from close range and Ella Toone marked her debut with England’s sixth from the penalty spot.
Riise admitted ‘there will be some hard discussions for us’ but feels there is plenty to be positive about.
‘The performance was excellent. It looked fun,’ she said. ‘You see the character. All the subs that came on seemed comfortable, supporting the ones already playing, and the connection between the players.’
OLIVIER GIROUD’S superb bicycle kick handed Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in Thomas Tuchel’s first European game in charge of the club last night.
The France striker’s 68th-minute goal broke Atletico’s resistance in Bucharest in a tense, tight Champions League last-16, first-leg tie.
Spanish league leaders Atletico could not manage a single effort on target and Tuchel’s men are in a strong position for the return leg at
Stamford Bridge on March 17, where they will be without midfield duo Mason Mount and Jorginho, who both picked up bookings, meaning they will be suspended.
There was an early scare for the Blues as Edouard Mendy miscontrolled a backpass, only for Joao Felix’s poor first touch to let the Chelsea goalkeeper off the hook.
Timo Werner then saw his claims for a penalty dismissed by the Video Assistant Referee as La Liga’s top side sat deep.
Little changed in the pattern of play after the break but it was 34-year-old Giroud – with his sixth European goal of the campaign, all coming away from home – who made the breakthrough.
His overhead kick flew past Jan Oblak and survived a lengthy VAR check for offside and there was no way back for Diego Simeone’s men, who may be left to rue their cautious approach in what was their ‘home’ leg. But Giroud’s goal was worthy of winning any tie. Elsewhere, 17-year-old Jamal Musiala (pictured) became the youngest English goalscorer in tournament history, scoring Bayern Munich’s second in the 4-1 win at Lazio.