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:
England 0-0 South Korea
12 mins: Son takes control of an early forward pass and draws Jess Carter into making the foul. South Korea then pump the ball towards England’s penalty area but it’s recovered by the Lionesses who sweep quickly up the pitch.
The visitors are back in their low defensive block and England have to think about how to break them down.
England 0-0 South Korea
9 mins: Son Hwa-Yeon has been shown an early yellow card and will have to keep herself in check from the rest of this match.
Leah Williamson - playing in midfield again tonight - threads the ball up to Lauren James but she’s closed down quickly and can’t find a pass for Alessia Russo in the box.
England 0-0 South Korea
6 mins: Shot! Korea are quick on the counter and their wingbacks will fly up the pitch. Choo Hyojoo does just that on the right side and is fed the ball with space to run into.
She comes inside, takes on Alex Greenwood then curls a left-footed shot straight into the arms of Mary Earps.
Good start to the game this.
England 0-0 South Korea
3 mins: Chance! South Korea have settled in with a back five and look prepared to defend against the attacking threat of the Lionesses.
Georgia Stanway evades a tackle on the edge of the box before slipping the ball to Lauren James. She shoots and blazes her first effort wide of the far post!
Kick off: England 0-0 South Korea
There was a moments silence before kick off for the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. When the game does start, England take the knee to say no to discrimination before the Lionesses get the match underway at the Stadium MK.
England vs South Korea
Sarina Wiegman makes six changes to the England side who drew with Norway in November.
Captain Leah Williamson returns and lines up in midfield with regular Keira Walsh out through illness. Jess Carter comes into defence with goalkeeper Mary Earps and full-back Lucy Bronze returning.
Alessia Russo starts up front, with Lauren James getting the nod ahead of Lauren Hemp.
England vs South Korea
Since Wiegman’s first game in charge in September 2021, defender Millie Bright has played the most minutes (2,075), completed the most passes (1,660), made the most interceptions (37), headed clearances (37), won the most aerial duels (54) and blocked the joint most shots on target (7) of any England player.
Her last two goals were also scored in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup, against Canada and Germany.
Williamson on returning to the team
England’s captain, Leah Williamson, spoke about what it feels like to return to the national team.
"On a personal note I’m very happy to be back with the team,” she said, “But for everyone it seems like such a long time from November to February and a lot has happened and a lot’s changed so it’s good to come back together and reconnect.
"The more time we spend together, the more we connect which we saw last summer so it’s good to be back.
"Last year, winning [the Arnold Clark Cup] was important for us and the nature of how we won the final game directly translated to what we had to do in the Euros so it’s no coincidence.
"But the best thing about last year was how much we learnt about ourselves and we needed to see where we could grow as a team before the tournament and that’s what I’m looking forward to this time.”
Super sub
Despite only starting eight games and playing 988 minutes, Ella Toone was directly involved in 15 goals for England during 2022 (nine goals, six assists), second only to Beth Mead (23) for goals and assists during the previous calendar year.
Toone either scored or assisted every 66 minutes during 2022.
Wiegman on facing South Korea
"I think it’s very good to play Korea Republic because it’s another culture and continent and that brings a lot of things so it’s really good to play an opponent like that,” said England boss, Sarina Wiegman.
"I think Italy has grown as a team very much. They’re playing different styles of play, which is very good for us to play against.
"And Belgium, as we saw in the Euros did very well and just lost against Sweden, so they’re good opponents who are really improving in their game.”
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