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 2-0 Italy
28 mins: Hemp has switched over to the right and teases a drifted cross to the back post and towards Kelly, but the keeper claims.
England 2-0 Italy
25 mins: A satisfied Wiegman watches on: England look dangerous on the wings and are in command in the middle, with Walsh, Stanway and Clinton working nicely. Italy have had a few breaks, but apart from that, England have not let them build possession.
GOAL! England 2-0 Italy (HEMP 21’)
A second goal for England - and it comes from the same route!
It’s a messy one - but England and Hemp don’t care. From Greenwood’s corner, it falls to Hemp and the Italy clearance rebounds back off her foot and past Giuliani!
Hemp has scored far better goals in her England career, but it puts Wiegman’s side into a very strong position after just a quarter of the contest.
England 1-0 Italy
18 mins: Delight for Wubben-Moy as the 25-year-old celebrates her first England goal.
England 1-0 Italy
16 mins: Such dangerous play from England again - this time through Hemp as the winger beats her full-back with ease before clipping a cross into the box. Kelly arrives but is unable to hook her shot back on target.
England 1-0 Italy
14 mins: Chance! Bronze clips a good early cross into the box and Russo is close to getting a volley away. It’s good defending from Italy, though, and they are to scramble it away.
England 1-0 Italy
12 mins: Wubben-Moy wins another big header - this time in her own box, as she beats Catena to the Italy cross from the right.
Wubben-Moy flattens Catena in the process. Very solid defending.
England 1-0 Italy
10 mins: Cantore found some space down the right to get past Greenwood, but Bronze tidied up defensively to cut out her cross.
England then attack down the right as Bronze gets forward, but her cross drifts too close to Giuliani.
England 1-0 Italy
7 mins: SAVE! Almost a quick second for England and Wubben-Moy!
From a free-kick, England take it short and Kelly floats a lovely cross to Wubben-Moy.
The downward header brings a super save out of Giuliani.
England are in total control at the moment.
England 1-0 Italy
4 mins: England continue to play on the front foot - Kelly gets down the right and almost picks out team-mate Hemp with a cross to the back post.
Italy clear but Kelly keeps the pressure on with a corner, that Italy goalkeeper Giuliani has to claw away.
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