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:
England 1-0 Belgium
39 mins: Close! James threatens again - Bronze creates space with the overlapping run as James cuts inside onto her left foot. It sits up a bit, as James’ shot rises over the bar.
James then slips in Stanway, whose touch takes her towards the byline where she wins the corner.
England 1-0 Belgium
38 mins: Not this time though from James, who burned the Belgium full-back Cayman with a step-over but then overhit her cross towards the back post. The acceleration from James after the drop of the shoulder is just special, though.
England 1-0 Belgium
36 mins: Good defending from Biesmans, who beats Russo to James’ cross. The delivery from James was brilliant again, hit first time and with no hesitation from the right wing.
England 1-0 Belgium
34 mins: England are so clearly on top that the Lionesses just need to make sure they don’t get sloppy in the final third. There have been a few examples of players straying offside or not picking the right pass when it mattered.
England 1-0 Belgium
32 mins: Brilliant from Kelly, who turns in the box and then wriggles away from a challenge to get to the byline. It takes a risky challenge from Biesmans to slide in and stop her run. The defender was able to get just enough of the ball.
England 1-0 Belgium
29 mins: The Belgium midfielder Missipo reacts to a challenge from Stanway from behind, which the referee has to intervene on.
England 1-0 Belgium
28 mins: England are able to find James out wide, and the cross towards Russo is dangerous too. The flag is up for offside though.
England 1-0 Belgium
26 mins: Toone with a lovely backheel flick towards Kelly, who cuts inside but sees her shot blocked and out for a corner. From the delivery, Bright has a chance after rising in the box, but it’s headed over.
England 1-0 Belgium
24 mins: England are moving the ball really well into the final third - with James and then Williamson threading passes through the lines. Bronze and Toone are guilty of a couple of loose touches when the ball does get there, but England quickly win it back and go again.
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