England vs South Africa LIVE: Result and reaction as Lionesses clinch narrow win
England 2-1 South Africa: Sarina Wiegman’s side bounced back after a shock defeat to Germany but there are still areas for improvement
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England responded to their humbling defeat against Germany with a 2-1 victory over South Africa in their second outing of the international break.
Sarina Wiegman made eight changes to the starting line-up and saw a total change in style and composure over the first 45 minutes. In midfield Grace Clinton was a breath of fresh air, tracking back, making runs and taking shots in a blistering performance that proves she is ready for a permanent run in the team.
Leah Williamson, making her 50th appearance for England, banished the demons from Friday night by slotting home the opening goal and send the Lionesses into the lead. It was a cathartic moment for the captain but one that didn’t last.
Clinton’s headed finish sent England into the break with a two-goal cushion but their advantage was halved as mistakes crept into the team. Williamson’s poor pass to Georgia Stanway gave the ball away to Thembi Kgatlana who swept into the box and scored South Africa’s first ever goal against England.
It wasn’t enough though as Wiegman brought on her experienced substitutes to see out the win.
Relive the action with our live blog below:
A landmark occasion for Williamson
Should she feature for the Lionessess tonight, Leah Williamson is set to make her 50th appearance for England, six years and 143 days after making her debut against Russia in June 2018.
Will Mead get on the scoresheet?
Beth Mead has been involved in 13 goals in 15 home internationals under Sarina Wiegman (eight goals, five assists), either scoring (one) or assisting (two) in each of her last three such games.
Stanway on fire
Georgia Stanway, who netted two of England’s three goals in their 3-4 defeat to Germany on Friday, has scored four goals in her last four games for the Lionesses, as many as in her previous 26 international appearances.
Preparations underway
The warm-ups are underway at the CBS Stadium with kick off around 20 minutes from now. Can England win tonight?
Sarina Wiegman defends England team selection after chaotic defeat to Germany
Sarina Wiegman defended her selection and insisted England’s 4-3 loss to Germany provided critical insight less than a year out from the start of their European title defence.
Friday’s friendly, played in front of a 47,967 crowd at Wembley, was the first time the sides had squared off since England’s comeback to win the the Euro 2022 final at the same venue.
The Lionesses conceded three before the half-hour of a five-goal first half that saw Georgia Stanway claw back two before the break including a penalty.
Sarina Wiegman defends England team selection after chaotic defeat to Germany
Wiegman’s side comprised nine players who had featured in the Euro 2024 and the England manager rejected suggestions that she could have been more experimental
An unwanted record
England are winless in their last two games in all competitions (D1 L1), only once under Sarina Wiegman have they failed to win three successive games under, doing so in July 2023.
Lionesses favourites to win
England have won 19 of their last 21 games when hosting an opponent for the very first time (D1 L1), scoring 96 goals and conceding just four times across those matches – the only loss in that period came against New Zealand in June 2019 (0-1).
England record against African sides
England are unbeaten in their last four games against African opposition in all competitions (W3 D1), most recently drawing 0-0 with Nigeria at the 2023 World Cup before winning 4-2 on penalties.
Sarina Wiegman not concerned by England criticism in friendlies
England boss Sarina Wiegman is not concerned by criticism as the Lionesses aim to bounce back from their friendly defeat to Germany with victory over South Africa on Tuesday.
Wiegman’s side were 3-0 down inside half an hour against their Euro 2022 final opponents at Wembley on Friday but rallied before eventually losing 4-3.
Preparations are underway for South Africa’s visit to the Coventry Building Society Arena as Wiegman is given another chance to experiment.
Sarina Wiegman not concerned by England criticism in friendlies
Wiegman insists the outside noise does not bother her in friendlies.
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