England 7-2 Austria (23 Feb, 2024) Game Analysis،
Doubles from Alessia Russo and Beth Mead and an opening goal from Grace Clinton, 20, helped England beat Austria 7-2 in a women's international friendly in Algeciras, Spain, on Friday.
Midfielder Clinton, who impressed on loan to Tottenham from Manchester United, scored England's second goal in the 19th minute with a header from a Lauren Hemp cross.
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England got off to a fast start against their 17th-ranked opponents, with Russo putting them in front in the third minute. Austria briefly threatened to make the match a real contest when Virginia Kirchberger scored a goal on the half-hour mark.
But Mead restored England's two-goal lead before half-time before England ran away with it in the second half.
Russo scored a second and Jess Carter added a fifth shortly after coming on. Mead then sealed her brace late on and substitute Rachel Daly found the net in stoppage time to complete a dominant performance for the Lionesses, despite another consolation effort from Kirchberger.
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The match was the first of two friendlies England will play at their warm-weather training camp in Marbella, with Sarina Wiegman's side also taking on Italy on Tuesday. In addition to Clinton's debut, there was only a third appearance for Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who replaced regular number 1 Mary Earps.
England were without defender Leah Williamson, although she was named in an England squad for the first time in 10 months following her recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. However, the Arsenal player was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury and replaced by Manchester United's Millie Turner.
The Lionesses were playing their first match since their 6-0 victory over Scotland in December. Despite the resounding victory, the result was not enough to see England through to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, ending Great Britain's hopes of competing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The Euro 2025 qualifying draw will take place on March 5 and the first matches will take place in April.
