Lionesses build momentum in rout of Swiss
Head coach Sarina Wiegman said that June’s warm-up games had enabled her to try out “everything she wanted to try” as England continued their perfect sequence of winning results in the run-up to Euro 2022 with a late flurry of goals to beat Switzerland.
Wiegman’s side flourished in the later stages of a match once again amid the positive impact of their lively substitutes, as they eventually proved too good for their hosts despite a quiet first half in what was their final warm-up friendly before they face Austria at Old Trafford in Wenesday’s Euro opener.
“There’s a big click [between the squad], we collaborate really well with the staff, and I think we have been growing a lot,” the former Netherlands manager said. “The way we’ve improved, that’s really nice and that really does give confidence. I just hope we can show it next Wednesday and throughout the whole tournament.”
On a humid evening, Manchester United’s Alessia Russo broke the deadlock with a downward header and Chelsea’s Bethany England also nodded in as both the central strikers scored their first Lionesses goals since November, taking the chance that was presented to them with Ellen White being rested after she recovered from Covid.
Jill Scott headed in a fourth at the back post from Chloe Kelly’s hanging cross. In between Russo and England’s goals, Bayern Munichbound midfielder Georgia Stanway fired home the second of the evening from the penalty spot, capping a solid performance from the 23-yearold.
England also had a header well saved, while Lauren Hemp’s magnificently struck volley from a Kelly cross was cleared off the line. The visitors had also spurned good opportunities in the opening 10 minutes and Wiegman said she was “not concerned” by the goalless first
half because of the quality of the chances her team had created.
Her team selection initially raised eyebrows. Leah Williamson, who is deployed traditionally as a centreback for Arsenal but has been a regular in midfield for Wiegman all season, was moved into the back four. Alex Greenwood – who has been the Lionesses’ regular centreback partner for Millie Bright – moved to left-back, altering the Greenwood-bright pairing that has helped England remain unbeaten since Wiegman took charge in September.
“Basically, now I think we have tried everything that we wanted to or what we were able to,” Wiegman added. “From here, we review, have some more thoughts about it and then make decisions for next Wednesday. I think we have lots of options. I think that Leah can also play midfield and she can play in the back. That’s what she showed tonight.”
Right-back Lucy Bronze missed the game through illness, but Wiegman revealed that she “is doing better” and should resume training within the next 24 hours.
Against a Swiss side who were beaten 7-0 away in Germany six days earlier, this result will not prompt England to get carried away, but it does give them a sixth straight victory to continue their winning streak. Next up, it is the real thing. Switzerland (4-2-3-1) Friedli 6; Maritz 6, Calligaris 7, Buhler 5, Aigbogun 5 (Rinast 79); Maendly 6 (Xhemaili 79), Walti 6 (Mauron 45); Crnogorcevic 6 (Marti 45), Sow 6, Reuteler 5 (Terchoun 87); Bachmann 5 (Humm 65). Subs Stierli, Peng, Fomli, Riesen. Booked Calligaris. England (4-2-3-1) Earps 6; Daly 7, Bright 6, Williamson 6, Greenwood 6 (Carter 62); Stanway 7 (Scott 79), Walsh 7; Mead 6 (Kelly 62), Kirby 7, (Toone 61), Hemp 7 (Parris 75); Russo 8 (England 61). Subs White, Hampton (g), Stokes, Roebuck (g), Wubben-moy. Booked Russo, Stanway.
Referee Ainara Acevedo Dudley (Spain). Att 10,022.