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.
HALF TIME! England 3-1 Italy
And that Italy goal was the last action of the half! England with a commanding lead thanks to an excellent performance.
GOAL! England 3-1 Italy
Italy do find one back, just before half-time!
Greenwood is caught on the ball and Italy are clinical. Cambiaghi is in the right place to sweep the finish past Earps following the low cross from the left.
A bit sloppy from England after an otherwise great half.
England 3-0 Italy
45+1 mins: Chance! Italy with their only real opportunity of the half as Cantore is played through on goal. Earps has not had anything to do but stands up well and denies Cantore with her right leg.
Great stop from Earps.
England 3-0 Italy
45 mins: That should be four! England keep the pressure on and Hemp’s cross from the right picks out Clinton, after the midfielder released Hemp out to the right.
Clinton can’t get contact on the header, though, and it doesn’t trouble the goalkeeper.
There will be three minutes added on.
England 3-0 Italy
43 mins: CLOSE! It could be four! Clinton plays a lovely reverse pass to release Kelly - but Giuliani gets out well to deny it.
Russo almost had a chance on the follow-up, but Italy scramble it away.
That was superb from Clinton to unlock the defence, though.
England 3-0 Italy
40 mins: Greenwood tries her luck with a free-kick from 25 yards. It’s got an excellent shape, but just dips wide of the post.
Wiegman’s side have been very impressive and the England manager could change her entire team at half-time and still be confident of adding to this lead.
The Lionesses have Lauren James, Beth Mead, Ella Toone and Rachel Daly all available... incredible options.
GOAL! England 3-0 Italy (HEMP 34’)
WHAT A HEADER! Hemp scores her second and England are cruising!
It comes from another corner - this time from the second phase: Stanway does superbly well to juggle the ball and loop in a cross. Hemp leaps and thumps the header into the top corner.
England 2-0 Italy
31 mins: Almost a scare for England and a route back into the game for Italy! Charles plays a back-pass that is almost too short for Earps. The Italy forward rounds Earps and cuts the ball back, but the flag is up as the ball went out of play behind the byline.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments