England 5-1 Italy (27 Feb, 2024) Game Analysis،
England showed off their considerable firepower with an impressive victory over Italy in Algeciras, Spain, on Tuesday, winning 5-1 in the friendly.
Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy opened the scoring in the second minute, ducking well to divert Alex Greenwood's precise corner into Laura Giuliani's net. It was Wubben-Moy's first international goal, on his first start in England since June 2022.
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There was more than a hint of luck in the Lionesses' second goal, which came from another Greenwood corner. Giuliani struck the initial delivery before Everton's Aurora Galli tried to clear the lines for Italy, but the ball bounced off Hemp and into the goal.
Sarina Wiegman's side, who impressed in their 7-2 win over Austria on Friday, dominated the first half and soon scored the third goal.
Georgia Stanway battled to win the ball in the right corner of the box, before lifting it into the path of Hemp who coolly headed towards the net.
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Italy got one back as half-time approached, capitalizing on a loose pass from the England defense before Michela Catena set up Michela Cambiaghi, who calmly slotted past Mary Earps.
England's depth of resources was underlined by Wiegman's replacements at the break as Lauren James and Jess Carter replaced Alessia Russo and Niamh Charles respectively.
The second half proved calmer, although England continued to dominate possession. James showed his prodigious talent with a stinging left-footed strike in the 63rd minute which Giuliani saved well, before England got their fourth to end the match in the 69th minute.
James received the ball on the left wing and created space for a cross before picking out compatriot Ella Toone, who guided the ball home with a sweet volley.
The fifth goal came in the 79th minute after Rachel Daly reacted quickest to a back pass before rolling the ball into the empty goal.
Eight different players scored in England's two friendlies in February as the Lionesses scored 12 goals.
