SWISS STROLL BUT SARINA UPS ANTE
Boss makes finals demand
SARINA WIEGMAN says her England side really click and urged them to show what they can do when they kick off their Euro 2022 campaign against Austria on Wednesday.
Even without record goalscorer Ellen White, England still thrashed Switzerland here in Zurich last night, in their final warm-up match.
The Lionesses are 14 games unbeaten since Wiegman was appointed head coach, and she said: “Being manager has been really, really nice and very interesting.
“There’s a big click. We work really well with the staff, with the players and we have been growing a lot. But now the tournament starts and we have to show it.”
The second-half substitutes made a world of difference and handed the visitors the keys to victory, but it was Alessia Russo, starting up top, who gave her side the lead.
After having good efforts stopped in the first half, the Manchester United striker got her head to an inch-perfect Rachel Daly cross and nodded home in the 56th minute.
Lauren Hemp had a spectacular volley stopped by goalkeeper Seraina Friedli not long after, but the ball was spilled back into the box and hit the hand of one of the Swiss defenders.
Georgia Stanway stepped up to do what was needed from the penalty spot, rifling it low and hard to the goalkeeper’s right in the 74th minute.
Soon after, Stanway turned provider and her cross was headed home by substitute Bethany England.
There was more to come from the Lionesses as veteran midfielder
Jill Scott added the fourth in injury time with another headed goal. It was not all plain sailing, though, and some elements of the performance left much to be desired.
However, Wiegman believes her side are in good shape ahead of the finals opener at Old Trafford. She said: “We always have things to improve. We are in a very good place. These are all friendlies and it’s nice to play. But it really starts next Wednesday.”
SWITZERLAND (4-3-3): Friedli 7; Maritz 6, Calligaris 5, Buhler 5, Aigbogun 5 (Rinast 79); Walti 5 (Marti 45, 4), Maendly (Xhemaili 79), Sow; Crnogorcevic 7 (Mauron 45, 5), Bachmann 6 (Humm 65, 6), Reuteler 6 (Terchoun 87).
(4-2-3-1): Earps 6; Daly 6, Bright 6, Williamson 7, Greenwood 6 (Carter 62, 6); Walsh 7, Stanway 8 (Scott 79); Hemp 8 (Parris 75), Kirby (Toone, 61), Mead 8 (Kelly 62, 7); Russo 8 (England 61, 7). Russo 56, Stanway 74 pen, England 76, Scott 90.