England vs Italy LIVE: Lionesses result and reaction as Lauren Hemp scores twice in five-goal win
England 5-1 Italy: Goals from Hemp, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Ella Toone and Rachel Daly completed an impressive win from the Lionesses
Lauren Hemp scored twice as England thrashed Italy in a friendly to conclude their February training camp in the south of Spain.
Hemp’s first-half double put England in total control after the Lionesses took the lead in the opening minute through Lotte Wubben-Moy.
The defender’s first international goal, a header from Alex Greenwood’s corner, gave England the perfect start before a fortuitous second from Hemp.
Hemp added her second with a thumping header from Georgia Stanway’s cross, before substitutes Ella Toone and Rachel Daly added to the score late on.
Toone converted Lauren James’ cross with a volley before Daly punished an Italy mistake to make it five.
Italy had pulled one back before half-time, when Michela Cambiaghi slotted past Mary Earps, but England were comfortable winners.
It rounded off a successful camp for the Lionesses after beating Austria 7-2 on Friday night. Follow live updates from England’s friendly against Italy in tonight’s match blog, and get the latest tips and odds on the fixture, here.
England 3-1 Italy
64 min: Save! James suddenly sparks into life as she turns and fires a shot on target with her left foot. Guiliani gets across to palm it behind for a corner.
Stanway and Clinton make way for Toone and Park as England make their double change. Two straight-swaps.
England 3-1 Italy
63 mins: Italy with another corner as England have to withstand their longest spell of pressure of the match. The Lionesses clear as Wubben-Moy makes first contact again.
England 3-1 Italy
61 mins: Ella Toone and Jess Park are preparing to come on for England as Italy get a third corner in quick succession. This time Wubben-Moy clears with a good defensive header.
England 3-1 Italy
58 mins: A rare foray forward from Italy - Carter can only clear the first corner out for another, before Cambiaghi had a chance for a free header at the near post!
That could have been two...
England 3-1 Italy
53 mins: Another chance! Hemp pops up on the left and gets to the byline before pulling a cross back. It falls to Stanway and she beats her defender with a smart nut-meg. Kelly can’t quite get her shot away and Italy clear.
England 3-1 Italy
50 mins: Chance! Wow - what a cross from Kelly, whipped in low with so much pace. Clinton attacks the near post but can’t direct the powerful cross on target.
Decent opportunity.
England 3-1 Italy
48 mins: Clinton wins the ball well up the field as England press Italy to begin the half, but the Lionesses aren’t able to get a shot away.
It’s been a controlled start from England early on, with lots of possession.
England 3-1 Italy
46 mins: And we’re back underway! Hemp has gone through the middle, with James out on the left.
HALF TIME! England 3-1 Italy
Changes at the break!
Lauren James and Jess Carter are on for England as Wiegman makes two changes.
Alessia Russo and Niamh Charles are replaced.
HALF TIME! England 3-1 Italy
The only mark on England’s performance, but Italy have a route into the game through Cambiaghi.
Otherwise, England have been dominant.
The Lionesses have had 71.3% possession and 17 shots (eight on target).
Cambiaghi’s goal was Italy’s second shot on target.
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