England 5-1 Italy: Player ratings as Lionesses seal another comfortable victory in Spain
FROM ESTADIO NUEVO MIRADOR – England continued their rejuvenated start to 2024 with a consistent and cohesive press that demolished their Italian opponents 5-1.
As the sun set in Algeciras, England’s warm weather training camp came to a close. Acting as preparation for the upcoming Euro 2025 qualifiers, a refreshed England kickstarted 2024 in the best way possible and strode to two comfortable wins, setting them in perfect stead for the challenge that lies ahead of them.
In their 7-2 victory over Austria on Friday, England conceded twice, both from set pieces, but in a turn of fortune, the Lionesses netted three set-piece specials within the first 35 minutes against the Azzurre, teeing up their demolition job.
Lotte Wubben-Moy marked her first start for the Lionesses since June 2022 with a first international goal within 62 seconds of kick-off, proving to the boss why her inclusion in the squad is so pivotal.
Lauren Hemp added a brace inside the first half, with Ella Toone and Rachel Daly adding to Italy’s demise before Millie Turner made her debut appearance for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
The Lionesses now face a month without an international window before returning to camp at the start of April to begin their Euro 2025 qualifying journey.
How the game unfolded
Within a minute of kick-off, England had an early lead as Wubben-Moy, who was subbed on at half-time in the previous game against Austria, headed home Alex Greenwood’s pinpoint cross.
Hemp then doubled the lead from another corner 20 minutes in as the Manchester City forward capitalised on a poor clearance and wriggled the ball through a crowded box of Blue shirts and into the bottom corner.
A nervy moment from England almost gifted Italy an equaliser. Niamh Charles twice got herself into danger, eventually playing a skewed pass that was cleverly intercepted by Michela Cambiaghi who drew Mary Earps off her line and cut back for her teammate to finish. Earps and England, however, were spared, with the ball going out of play before the cut-back was made.
The Lionesses were completely dominant and pulling the strings after Georgia Stanway kept England’s consistent attack alive, heading the ball up and on to her left foot before looping into Hemp to add a second with aplomb.
Italy were rewarded for their tenacity on the break, taking full advantage of some poor clearing from Charles and Greenwood, with Cambiaghi slotting home from close range past a desperately reaching Earps.
Substitute Lauren James fell inches short of a screamer after running rings in the box and taking aim from a tight angle, however the Chelsea forward ensured England added a fourth with a stunning pass into substitute Toone, who chipped over the goalkeeper after only being on the pitch for seven minutes.
It took Daly eight minutes to score off the bench after Laura Giuliani was drawn out into no-man’s land, allowing the Aston Villa forward to scoot around her and the approaching defenders, finishing with style to close off a successful training camp in southern Spain.
GK: Mary Earps – 6/10 – Anticipated well but was too easily drawn off her line, making it easier for Italy to take their chances.
RB: Lucy Bronze – 7/10 – Her overlapping runs were used to full effect, while her ability to read the game and keep chances alive were vital.
CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 8/10 – Probably England’s most in-form centre-back and proved exactly why she should be in contention to start more regularly for the Lionesses. Netted the early goal and rode that wave throughout.
CB: Alex Greenwood – 6/10 – Lost the ball as well and struggled to retain control at the back.
LB: Niamh Charles – 5/10 – Gave the ball away too many times and struggled to pin-point passes, leading to Italy’s goal and nervy moments for the backline.
DM: Keira Walsh – 7/10 – Took the armband and orchestrated tempo and composure in midfield to have England comfortably ahead by half-time.
CM: Georgia Stanway – 7/10 – While she played deeper in the last game, her attacking ability was clinical in a more advanced role here, providing a comprehensive threat throughout the evening.
CM: Grace Clinton – 7/10 – She may have struggled to finish her chances, but her tenacity did not waver.
RW: Chloe Kelly – 7/10 – Tenacious and direct, Kelly was able to overrun the wing-back, exploiting space in behind to great effect.
ST: Alessia Russo – 7/10 – Her hold-up play in the middle is expert, but Russo was unable to get on the end of chances to help advance England’s leads. Nevertheless, her burgeoning on-pitch relationships are proving fruitful for the Arsenal striker.
LW: Lauren Hemp – 8/10 – Despite being one of the shortest Lionesses, Hemp’s headers are pinpoint and punishing and Italy failed to smother the fire she was creating in the box.
Substitutes
SUB: Lauren James (46‘ for Russo)- 8/10
SUB: Jess Carter (46‘ for Charles)- 8/10
SUB: Jess Park (63‘ for Clinton)- 7/10
SUB: Ella Toone (63‘ for Stanway)- 8/10
SUB: Rachel Daly (70‘ for Kelly)- 9/10
SUB: Millie Turner (80′ for Greenwood)- N/A
Unused subs: Hannah Hampton (GK), Khiara Keating (GK), Esme Morgan, Beth Mead, Maya Le Tissier.
Manager
Sarina Wiegman – 8/10 – Rotated her squad once again and kickstarted 2024 in the best way possible.
GK: Laura Giuliani – 5/10 – Was let down by a split and struggling defence but could have done better on the set pieces after conceding from three in the first 35 minutes.
CB: Lucia Di Guglielmo – 6/10 – Used her pace well to chase down Kelly when careering into the box and made several pivotal tackles.
CB: Martina Lenzini – 5/10 – Probably the weaker of the centre-backs. Drawn out of position easily and failed to make clearances that could have lead to goals if Giuliani was not as controlled.
CB: Elena Linari – 5/10 – England found it too easy to split the centre-backs, leaving too much space to string passes together in dangerous areas.
RM: Valentina Bergamaschi – 5/10 – Struggled against England’s pace and astute passing.
CM: Aurora Galli – 5/10 – The Everton midfielder struggled against England’s midfield, unable to find a way through their ruthless press.
CM: Arianna Caruso – 6/10 – Able to exploit gaps in the defence and link up with teammates to lead to Italy’s goal.
CM: Michela Catena – 7/10 – Another using the press incredibly well, Catena’s ability to press and chase caused issues for England’s defence.
LM: Lisa Boattin – 6/10 – Slightly less impactful compared to her compatriots but pressed well and handled England’s press comfortably.
ST: Sofia Cantore – 7/10 – Excessive pressure left England in dangerous moments, exploiting their uncharacteristically slow reactions.
ST: Michela Camiaghi – 7/10 – Similar to England’s forwards, Camiaghi’s tenacity and partnerships on pitch brought decent results.
Substitutes
SUB: Cecilia Salvai (51‘ for Bergamaschi) – 6/10
SUB: Agnese Bonfantini (51‘ for Catena) – 6/10
SUB: Emma Severini (70‘ for Galli) – 7/10
SUB: Annamaria Serturini (70‘ for Di Guglielmo) – 5/10
SUB: Guilia Dragoni (80‘ for Cantore) – N/A
SUB: Cristiana Girelli (81‘ for Cambiaghi) – N/A
Unused subs: Katja Schroffenegger (GK), Amanda Tampieri (GK), Elisa Bartoli, Julie Piga, Martina Piemonte, Benedetta Glionna, Aurora De Rita, Eva Schatzer, Elisabetta Oliviero.
Manager
Andrea Soncin – 4/10 – Was unable to conjure anything to counter England’s dominant press and rejuvenated appearance.