England vs Switzerland LIVE: Grace Clinton gives Lionesses slender win at Bramall Lane
England 1-0 Switzerland: Clinton’s strike ends Lionesses’ year on a high
England ended a ‘tough’ 2024 with a victory as they defeated Switzerland 1-0 at Bramall Lane in an international friendly.
Coming off the back of a 0-0 draw with Emma Hayes’ United States, Sarina Wiegman decided to switch things up and made 10 changes to the starting line-up and handing a debut to Laura Blindkilde Brown. Aggie Beever-Jones also made a first start for the Lionesses and was effective at the top of the pitch.
Elsewhere, Jess Park and Grace Clinton showed off their credential as they look for spots on the plane for next summer’s Euros. Park delivering a fine free kick and Clinton finishing off the move to score the only goal of the game.
In the second half, Switzerland bounced back and created plenty of chances to test Hannah Hampton in between the sticks but the goalkeeper was up to the task and kept a clean sheet. It was far from the dominant display of Wiegman’s early reign but the signs are strong that the new generation can live up to their experienced counterparts.
Relive the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
Second half! England 1-0 Switzerland
The visitors get the ball rolling again for the second half.
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
Grace Clinton scored her third goal for the Lionesses in just her fifth appearance for the national team. Has she booked her place on the plane for Euro 2025?
Half-time! England 1-0 Switzerland
45 mins: The whistle goes to end a first half that was very much controlled by the Lionesses. Grace Clinton’s opener is the difference between the teams but Sarina Wiegman will be hoping for more in the second half.
England 1-0 Switzerland
42 mins: The crowd gets right behind England’s captain Millie Bright who comes forward on the left and drives the ball into the box. Her run goes on a bit too long though and she runs the ball out for a goal kick whilst trying to find a teammate to pass to.
England 1-0 Switzerland
39 mins: Oh hello! Switzerland get their first real chance at goal with Meriame Techoun taking a shot from range as England’s defenders back track.
It’s a decent enough strike but Hannah Hampton has no problems keeping it out.
England 1-0 Switzerland
36 mins: Blindkilde Brown wins a corner for the Lionesses and Le Tissier is on set piece duty once more. The wingback fizzes this one towards the near post where Beever-Jones wins the header and turns the ball wide of the target.
England are getting closer to another goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
33 mins: Grace Clinton and Jess Park both fancy themselves to excel in the No. 10 role and are playing alongside each other in the middle of the pitch.
Switzerland have switched to a 5-4-1 formation meaning it’s more difficult to break them down. They’ll want to avoid another 6-0 hammering after their defeat to Germany.
It’s working so far.
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