England vs South Korea LIVE: Arnold Clark Cup result, final score and reaction as Lionesses storm to victory
England 4-0 South Korea: The Lionesses opened their Arnold Clark Cup campaign with an impressive win
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Your support makes all the difference.Sarina Wiegman wants to use the Arnold Clark Cup as preparation for this summer’s World Cup. She hopes to use these three games to look at new players, try out new formations, and work out plans as she attempts to turn the European Champions into World Champions. Based on tonight’s performance Wiegman’s conclusion must be that England have really, really good players.
South Korea were able opponents throughout the first half. Setting up in a low block and making it difficult for England to break them down. The Lionesses started slow, they were sluggish, and lacked creativity in the face of steadfast opponents with the sole exception being Lauren James.
Picked to partner Alessia Russo up top, James provided pace, power, and drive to work England up the pitch and get within range of the target. It was she who won England’s first half penalty – ably despatched by Georgia Stanway – and sent the Lionesses into the break with a slender lead.
Her teammates decided to match her levels in the second half. Russo and Chloe Kelly both netting within five minutes of each other to put the match beyond their Korean opponents. The game became an exhibition and England came alive. They passed the ball with speed, guile, and confidence, took shots from all areas of the pitch, and put on a second half show for the fans inside the Stadium MK.
To cap off an impressive night, James arrived on the end of a Lucy Bronze cross and slotted home a side-footed strike to the bottom corner to score her first ever international goal.
Relive the action from England’s opening match versus South Korea:
GOAL! England 4-0 South Korea (James, 78’)⚽️
78 mins: A midfield tussle sees the ball comes loose and roll to Lauren James. She feeds the ball to Ella Toone who carries it to the edge of the box before giving it to Lucy Bronze on the right.
Bronze’s square ball takes a deflection and drops to the arriving James who controls with her first touch before drilling her second into the back of the net!
That’s her first ever international goal, she’s off the mark for the Lionesses.
England 3-0 South Korea
75 mins: 15 minutes to play at the Stadium MK and England have a dominant and comfortable lead. They’re going to win their Arnold Clark Cup opener and join Belgium on three points after they defeated Italy in the earlier kick off.
England 3-0 South Korea
72 mins: Rachel Daly - so often playing as a left-back for England - is given the opportunity to lead the line tonight after her exceptional goal scoring record for Aston Villa this season.
Ella Toone slips a pass into the box for her and she breaks through the lines before having her shot deflected behind by Lim Seon-Joo.
England 3-0 South Korea
69 mins: Georgia Stanway’s night is also over. She is replaced with midfielder Laura Coombs who is making her first appearance for England in nine years.
Her recall comes after a stellar WSL for Manchester City.
South Korea transition the ball well between the lines as England look to regain their shape following all the substitutions. Lee finds Son who spins towards goal and curls a long-range effort over the crossbar.
England 3-0 South Korea
66 mins: The England boss replaces three players. Goalscorers Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo are replaced with Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly whilst Niamh Charles comes on for Alex Greenwood.
England 3-0 South Korea
Sarina Wiegman is readying a few changes and it looks as though Alessia Russo is going to make way. Here’s a look at her goal, and England’s third.
England 3-0 South Korea
63 mins: Off the bar! England take short corner kick that Alex Greenwood gives to Ella Toone. Toone knocks it back to Greenwood who slides the ball into the box for Georgia Stanway.
Stanway shoots and smokes her effort onto the crossbar!
England 3-0 South Korea
60 mins: Close! That’s a glorious pass from Ella Toone who collects it on the inside left channel before threading a lovely ball into the box for Chloe Kelly.
Kelly takes over and drills one towards the far corner but gets the angle slightly wrong and sends it wide.
England 3-0 South Korea
56 mins: Georgia Stanway gives away a free kick that Lee floats into the box. The visitors win the initial ball but the knockdown is cleared from inside the six-yard area.
Lauren James takes control of the cleared ball and storms up the pitch. She holds off the nearest defender before getting taken out and winning a free kick.
England 3-0 South Korea
53 mins: England are flying now. South Korea’s compact and solid shape from the first half has started to fracture and their are spaces opening up across the pitch.
Georgia Stanway takes the ball forward and hits one from range but goalkeeper Kim Jun-Mi gets safely in behind it.
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