- England dominates Italy and Austria
- Wubben-Moy scores, impresses
- Substitutions maintain momentum
England’s elimination from the Olympics and subsequent failure to advance to the Nations League finals at the end of 2023 may have contributed to a further decline in the country’s standing. Conversely, they discussed resets, new beginnings, and fresh starts. They put that rhetoric into practice in Spain, where they defeated Italy 5-1 and Austria 7-2 on Friday night to launch their push to retain the European title the following year.
Lotte Wubben-Moy opened the scoring against Italy; Lauren Hemp scored twice; and substitutes Ella Toone and Rachel Daly each contributed one to assure an additional comfortable victory. Although these are merely friendlies, the atmosphere was anything but amicable, as England needed to quickly recalibrate the clock following a lacklustre Nations League campaign.
A number of adjustments were made to the squad that triumphed over Austria. Grace Clinton, who is currently on loan at Tottenham from Manchester United, maintained her midfield position following her debut goal and outstanding performance. Additionally, Mary Earps, Wubben-Moy, Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze, and Chloe Kelly all made the starting line-up.
Alex Greenwood was substituted for Wubben-Moy at halftime against Austria; it had been a very long time since she had made her debut. Prior to the commencement of play, Sarina Wiegman attributed her early inclusion to her club performance. “She is performing admirably for Arsenal. She’s also performed exceptionally well for us, and as I mentioned prior to this game, we have two games remaining and want to see a lot of players, so this is her opportunity,” the manager explained.
Wubben-Moy’s Triumphant Return
However, the Arsenal centre-back’s recent form is not unique: Wubben-Moy has performed admirably for Arsenal throughout the entire season and took the pitch in Leah Williamson’s absence due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury towards the close of last year. Wubben-Moy had not started a match for England since June 2022 prior to her appearance at Estadio Nuevo Mirador. Several other players, including Millie Bright, Greenwood, Esme Morgan, Jess Carter, and Maya Le Tissier, have been selected in place of her when available.
Wubben-Moy, who had previously demonstrated patience by intermittently missing out on the squad, acquiesced magnificently to the opportunity to debut for her nation. Two minutes after the start of play, she scored the game-winning goal when the centre-back lost her adversary and sent Greenwood’s corner kick into the far corner.
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She recalled the 25-year-old defender to whom she intended to dedicate her initial England goal. As she did subsequent to Arsenal’s victory over Bristol City, she performed a symbolic gesture by crossing her arms across her torso and wriggling slightly. This motion was taken in remembrance of Izzy, a young fan who was profoundly deaf and became acquainted with several players in July 2023.
Within five minutes, Wubben-Moy came close to tallying once more, but keeper Laura Giuliani averted the danger zone with her low strike originating from a free-kick. England dominated the first half, applying intense pressure and a renewed sense of determination that had slightly diminished since their arduous World Cup final loss the previous summer.
Set Pieces and Strategic Substitutions
Wiegman’s squad demonstrated its greatest prowess from set pieces, converting twice more from corners in the opening 35 minutes. Initially, Giuliani blocked Greenwood’s corner kick, but Italy was unable to clear the ball, and Hemp slipped a shot in between a multitude of bodies. After an additional Greenwood corner was cleared and Georgia Stanway flicked it on for Hemp to loop in, Bronze did well to retain the ball in play.
England had appeared to be the weaker team from set pieces against Austria; however, they were now the ones posing a threat from them. However, Italy created a rare opening in the closing minutes of the match through a defensive lapse: Niamh Charles’s pass to an under-pressure Greenwood yielded the ball to Sofia Cantore, who gained possession and located Michela Catena, who then passed it to Michela Cambiaghi, who slotted in at centre forward.
Carter and Lauren James entered the game in place of Alessia Russo and Charles at halftime, and Toone and Jess Park replaced Stanway and Clinton shortly after the hour mark, as a result of Wiegman’s substitutions.
Two of those passes would form the basis of England’s fourth goal, which was scored by Toone for the first time after James swept a magnificent pass back from the left.
An additional substitution, Kelly for Daly, would result in the fifth, with Daly slotting in after free-swinging past the advancing Giuliani.
Following Greenwood’s departure, Millie Turner replaced her, and England resorted to a three-woman defence, but momentum was maintained. The most remarkable aspect of these two matches has been England’s consistent performance despite the frequent substitutions.
