England vs Belgium LIVE: Lionesses retain the Arnold Clark Cup with six-goal win
England 6-1 Belgium: The Lionesses lifted the Arnold Clark Cup for the second time after thrasing Belgium at Ashton Gate
England have won the Arnold Clark Cup for the second time after thrashing Belgium 6-1 in Bristol, giving the Lionesses the perfect start to their World Cup year under Sarina Wiegman.
Two goals each from Chloe Kelly and captain Leah Williamson helped to wrap up a dominant result in front of over 26,000 fans at Ashton Gate. The victory added to wins against South Korea and Italy this week as the Lionesses took maximum points from the four-team tournament and comfortably retained their title.
Wiegman’s side won the inaugural edition of the Arnold Clark Cup last year ahead of their historic victory at the European Championships, and the Lionesses will hope the tournament once again acts as the perfect platform before this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
England will face China, Denmark and Haiti in Group D of the World Cup, while the Lionesses will look to extend their unbeaten run under Wiegman - which now stands at 29 matches - when they take on Brazil and Australia in friendly matches in April.
Follow all the reaction as the Lionesses face Belgium for the Arnold Clark Cup:
GOAL! England 5-0 Belgium (BRONZE 89’)
There’s a fifth! Five stars for England as Bronze taps in another for the Lionesses from a set piece.
England 4-0 Belgium
85 mins; The changes have taken some of the pace out of the game, while Belgium are also well beaten by this point. Chloe Kelly, deservedly, is named player of the match. She may have scored two tap-ins but her all-round attacking play has been outstanding.
England 4-0 Belgium
81 mins: Park is on for Toone, while the crowd cheer a rare touch for Mary Earps.
GOAL! England 4-0 Belgium (Biesmans OG 79’)
England have a fourth! Stanway makes a brilliant run off the shoulder and Kelly picks out her run. Stanway pulls it back and her cross is turned into her own net by Biesmans for an own goal.
England 3-0 Belgium
77 mins: The attendance at Ashton Gate tonight is confirmed as 26,169.
England 3-0 Belgium
75 mins: Sarina Wiegman could have her feet up on the bench by this point. So too could Mary Earps in the England goal.
England 3-0 Belgium
71 mins: Further changes for England: as Rachel Daly replaces Alessia Russo. A clear sign, then, that it’s Russo and Daly who are likely to compete for the starting spot at the World Cup. Daly is also going for the golden boot, and is only a goal behind Kelly.
England 3-0 Belgium
68 mins: Hemp has slotted into England’s attack superbly and goes close after cutting inside from the right wing. Stanway then reads the play well and steps in to make the interception. Her shot is deflected narrowly wide.
England 3-0 Belgium
65 mins: OFF THE BAR! What a save this is from Evrard, the Belgium goalkeeper. She gets a fingertip save on a swirling drive from Toone, hit from almost the same spot as Kelly earlier.
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