England hit EIGHT on Wiegman’s opening night

sarIna WIeGMan got a perfect start to life as england manager with one of the most routine performances her squad will ever enjoy. While last night marked the start of england’s journey to the 2023 World cup, this was much more about a nine-month fast-track to next summer’s home european championship. Wiegman arrives with real pedigree — winner of the 2017 euros and a World cup finalist in 2019 with holland. her challenge now is to take this stagnating Lionesses side and not only breathe new life into them but make them the best in the business. ‘We worked hard and we saw a lot of energy,’ Wiegman said. ‘We have to score more because we created so many chances. We only scored eight but it’s a nice start.’ Manchester United’s ella

toone, 22, grabbed the first goal of the Wiegman era when played through by Leah Williamson. captain in place of the injured steph houghton, Williamson operated in the quarterback role at the base of the midfield and thrived, her first-time ball setting toone free to make it 1-0. ellen White netted her 12th goal in 14 games — her 40th for england — after more calamitous defending, before an own goal from Julija Zivikj made it three before the referee gave Macedonia 15 minutes’ respite. White (above) added her second, and england’s fourth, from the spot after the hour before her replacement Beth england got in on the act with two of her own. a second own goal from the hapless visitors added to their misery before Beth Mead got the goal her display deserved.

ENGLAND (4-3-3): Earps 7; Daly 8 (Charles 82min), Bright 6 (Wubben-Moy 63), Greenwood 6, Stokes 6; Stanway 7 (Scott 71), Williamson 8.5, Toone 7; Mead 7, White 8 (England 71), Hemp 6 (Parris 63). Scorers: Toone 12, White 42, 67 (pen), Zivikj 45 (og), England 77, 90, Kolarovska 79 (og), Mead 90+1.