3 years ago
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Chloe Kelly (left) scored twice in England's comfortable win over BelgiumEngland have successfully defended the Arnold Clark Cup after a thumping victory over Belgium made it three wins from as many games in the tournament.
The Lionesses, now unbeaten in 29 matches, were on top throughout at Ashton Gate, and needed only a draw to seal the title.
Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final, netted twice from close range to finish as the tournament's top scorer.
Captain Leah Williamson also scored twice - heading in powerfully before half-time and crashing in a late strike to make it 6-1.
Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze poked in Rachel Daly's knockdown and former Bristol City midfielder Julie Biesmans diverted the ball into her own net to add to England's tally, while Elena Dhont's superb curling strike for Belgium prevented a clean sheet for goalkeeper Mary Earps in a busy ending.
England's preparations for the Women's World Cup continue to go smoothly. With just five months to go until the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, the Lionesses have maintained winning momentum and are still yet to lose under manager Sarina Wiegman.
They conceded just two goals at the Arnold Clark Cup, the other in a narrow 2-1 win over Italy, who finished third behind Belgium and ahead of South Korea.
England entertain as wingers cause havoc
Wiegman wanted to use this tournament to experiment with personnel and she made 18 changes to the starting XI across the three matches, but it made no difference to the outcome.
England, ranked fourth in the world, were heavy favourites against lower-ranked opposition and showed their superiority from the first whistle against Belgium.
Knowing they needed only a point to win the tournament for a second year running, they got off to the perfect start when Lauren James' dangerous run deflected fortuitously for Kelly to tap-in on the goalline in the 12th minute.
James, who has been England's standout performer at the tournament, was a constant menace and Belgium could not handle her creativity, directness and clever movement.
Kelly was equally as dangerous on the other side, cutting inside and drawing saves from goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, who had a busy night in chilly Bristol.
Chelsea defender Millie Bright, who finished top scorer at last year's tournament, had a chance to make it 2-0 in the first half when she headed over from a corner, while Alessia Russo spurned second-half opportunities for the hosts.
The final minutes were frantic as Dhont's consolation strike was sandwiched between Bronze's goal and Williamson's second to round off an enjoyable encounter.
The Lionesses provided entertainment and eased to victory with their attacking quality on display once again.
Line-ups
England
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Earps
- 2Bronze
- 5Bright
- 6Williamson
- 3GreenwoodSubstituted forCarterat 63'minutes
- 8Stanway
- 4WalshSubstituted forWubben-Moyat 81'minutes
- 10TooneSubstituted forParkat 81'minutes
- 16JamesSubstituted forHempat 45'minutes
- 9RussoSubstituted forDalyat 72'minutes
- 7Kelly
Substitutes
- 11Hemp
- 12Daly
- 13Roebuck
- 14Park
- 15Carter
- 17Salmon
- 18Zelem
- 19Charles
- 20Robinson
- 21MacIver
- 22Wubben-Moy
- 23Le Tissier
- 24Nobbs
- 25Coombs
Belgium
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Evrard
- 15VangheluweSubstituted forDelooseat 63'minutes
- 20BiesmansSubstituted forMeersmanat 85'minutes
- 6De Caigny
- 11Cayman
- 17JanssensSubstituted forAmpoorterat 63'minutesBooked at 64mins
- 23MissipoSubstituted forEurlingsat 85'minutes
- 10Vanhaevermaet
- 5Wijnants
- 16DetruyerSubstituted forDhontat 62'minutes
- 9WullaertSubstituted forFonat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Philtjens
- 3Van Kerkhoven
- 4Colson
- 7Eurlings
- 12Lemey
- 13Dhont
- 21Bastiaen
- 22Deloose
- 24Meersman
- 25Fon
- 26Ampoorter
Live Text
Match ends, England 6, Belgium Women 1.
Second Half ends, England 6, Belgium Women 1.
Goal! England 6, Belgium Women 1. Leah Williamson (England) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.
Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (England) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Goal! England 5, Belgium Women 1. Elena Dhont (Belgium Women) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Welma Fon.
Goal! England 5, Belgium Women 0. Lucy Bronze (England) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rachel Daly following a set piece situation.
Substitution, Belgium Women. Welma Fon replaces Tessa Wullaert.
Chloe Kelly (England) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Sarah Wijnants (Belgium Women).
Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (England) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution, Belgium Women. Hannah Eurlings replaces Kassandra Missipo.
Substitution, Belgium Women. Fran Meersman replaces Julie Biesmans.
Substitution, England. Lotte Wubben-Moy replaces Keira Walsh.
Substitution, England. Jessica Park replaces Ella Toone.
Corner, England. Conceded by Janice Cayman.
Own Goal by Julie Biesmans, Belgium Women. England 4, Belgium Women 0.
Corner, Belgium Women. Conceded by Jess Carter.
Attempt saved. Lauren Hemp (England) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution, England. Rachel Daly replaces Alessia Russo.
Corner, England. Conceded by Tine De Caigny.
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