A lot-changed England closed out the worldwide fixture calendar by incomes a 1-0 victory over Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
Sarina Wiegman named an experimental beginning XI – the youngest by common age in her three-and-a-half years as Lionesses boss – in a bid to be taught extra about who is an effective match for subsequent summer time’s event.
She may have favored loads of what she noticed from England’s high-energy, all-action kids, as Grace Clinton acquired on the scoresheet for the third time in 5 appearances and Aggie Beever-Jones impressed alongside debutant Laura Blindkilde-Brown.
Grace Clinton has scored three objectives in 5 appearances for England
The opener was scored inside eight minutes as Millie Turner – on her first England begin – glanced Jess Park’s free-kick in opposition to the put up and Clinton reacted first to show house the rebound.
The hosts continued to dominate however did not convert any additional probabilities, inviting Switzerland into the sport within the second interval after a collection of substitutions did extra hurt than good to England’s rhythm.
Meriame Terchoun practically caught Hannah Hampton off her line, drawing an excellent fingertip save, whereas Beth Mead escaped punishment for, what appeared to be, a foul on Leandro Andrade contained in the field.
A lot to ponder earlier than any remaining selections are made in regards to the configuration of subsequent 12 months’s event squad, however an encouraging shake up all the identical, as Clinton shone and younger Ruby Mace proved a succesful deputy for Keira Walsh.
Wiegman happy with choices regardless of ‘sloppy’ finish
England head coach Sarina Wiegman talking on ITV:
“I learned a lot. We played a very good first half, where we had rhythm, created chances but only scored one goal. We found spaces and overloads all the time, and second half we didn’t do that. We were more sloppy, it was a much harder half.
“I do not see it as a scarcity of objectives. We performed many gamers, we did various things, we’re making an attempt out issues. I need to rating extra objectives however we transfer on and in February we go once more.
“Lots of things we have to improve, but if you see now the amount of options we have, we tried some new tactics, and players are giving themselves a good chance of making the tournament next summer.”
Wiegman additionally confirmed the intention had been for Lucy Bronze to return on within the second half however the right-back couldn’t after being by chance missed off the teamsheet, saying: “Unfortunately that was a human error from our side. And that’s very frustrating of course, and very disappointing, because we wanted to bring her in – mainly for her. Things happen sometimes.”
Evaluation: Spectacular Clinton not possible to miss
Grace Clinton is enjoying her means into subsequent summer time’s England squad
Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:
England have a participant on their palms in Grace Clinton. If there was one space of the pitch Sarina Wiegman would need extra choices, it’s within the No 10 place. Three objectives in 5 worldwide appearances, having solely made her debut in October, is a superb return, however past that, the connections she has fashioned will encourage Wiegman.
Discovering pockets, exploiting house, enjoying on the half flip with creativity and imaginative and prescient – these are all large weapons for an England group that so usually faces opposition groups who favour a compact low block.
Clinton can unpick defences with a easy drop of the shoulder, or threaded cross. On this sport, she gained the free-kick Jess Park delivered for the purpose, earlier than making use of the end herself. She has made a case for herself, and can now be tough to miss as Wiegman begins assembling plans for subsequent summer time’s Euros title defence.
