Grace Clinton goal gives new-look England win against Switzerland in friendly after draw with USA
Published 03/12/2024 at 21:57 GMT
Sarina Wiegman's England were made to work during a testing second half against Switzerland, but they ultimately walked away with a 1-0 victory. Grace Clinton scored in the first half to give her side the lead. However, it was not as easy in the second half, with Hannah Hampton being forced into two excellent saves to deny the Swiss a draw.
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Grace Clinton scored to inspire a new-look England side to a 1-0 win over Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
The hosts were 1-0 up at half-time thanks to Clinton's goal on eight minutes.
Switzerland were much better after half-time, forcing Hannah Hampton into two excellent saves, but it was not enough as the Lionesses held on to secure the victory.
England made 10 changes to the starting eleven from the 0-0 draw with USA, but that did not stop them from taking an early lead.
Millie Turner's header hit the post, and Clinton reacted quickest to fire the ball into the back of an empty net from close range.
The Lionesses looked threatening in possession as Maya Le Tissier saw a half-volley drift agonisingly wide of the Swiss goal in the 18th minute.
Le Tissier turned provider moments later, setting up a remarkable bicycle kick from Jessica Park, but she did not get a good enough connection with the ball.
Park took another audacious attempt on goal shortly after, but it did not trouble Elvira Herzog.
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England continued to put a barrage of threatening crosses into the penalty area during a dominant first-half display, but it was not enough to force a second goal.
Lydia Andrade came on after half-time, and she would have tested Hampton were it not for an excellent block.
That woke the hosts up, and Alessia Russo headed Gabby George's cross wide of the right post just a couple of minutes later.
Switzerland's best chance of the match fell to Iman Beney after she was put through on goal, but her shot was well saved by Hampton.
They continued to apply pressure as the second half progressed but struggled to carve out many clear-cut opportunities.
England almost capitalised, but Herzog produced an excellent save to deny Laura Blindkilde Brown.
Down the other end, Hampton was called into action again to tip Meriame Terchoun's powerful strike over the crossbar.
Georgia Stanway hit the post with a thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty area in the closing stages, but it was not to be though, and the Lionesses settled for a 1-0 win.
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