The Lionesses took home their second Arnold Clark Cup after a thumping victory over Belgium at Ashton Gate, setting them in good stead for this summer’s World Cup.
Having beaten Italy 2-1 and South Korea 4-0 earlier in the competition, braces for Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly and a Belgium own goal helped the Lionesses secure a heroic 6-1 victory at Ashton Gate in front of 26,169 fans.
Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly and a Belgium own goal helped the Lionesses secure a heroic 6-1 victory
Sarina Wiegman’s team started the game strong, creating multiple chances and ending the first half with a 2-goal lead. Kelly scored after a great run by Lauren James and a Williamson header doubled the damage.
The second half saw a keeper mishap give England a 3rd of the game and Kelly a 3rd of the tournament, confirming the Manchester City forward as the winner of the Golden Boot (and she could’ve scored more). England got another in the 78th minute from a Belgium own goal caused by Stanway’s dangerous pass into the box. 10 minutes later Lucy Bronze scored from a free kick to earn England a 5th.But the game was far from over at 90 minutes and a late Belgium long-range shot from substitute Dhont, which was their only shot on target in the game and arguably the best goal of the night, softened the blow for the Belgians. But the Lionesses weren’t finished, and it was closely followed by a late Williamson goal which gave England the final say.
Chelsea’s young Lauren James took home the Player of the Tournament award, the Belgium game was only her 8th appearance for the senior side, promising a bright future for the Lionesses with her pace and attacking prowess down the right.
Chelsea’s young Lauren James took home the Player of the Tournament award
Whilst an England win was ex-pected against the team ranked 16 places lower in the FIFA rankings, a 6-1 scoreline, 70% possession and 31 shots demonstrates the outstanding form they are in despite having experimented with personnel at this tournament. This result marked 29 games unbeaten by the Lionesses, their 3rd trophy in 12 months and 2 in 2 Arnold Clark Cup victories fuelling excitement for this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July.
The doubling of fans since the Lionesses last played at Ashton Gate in 2015 only 7 and a bit years ago, shows the growth of the women’s game in recent years and how much England’s Euros 2022 victory has done for the game in this country.
The team will next meet up in the last international break before the tournament for a friendly against Australia next month fresh from an Arnold Clark Cup title defence and wins for the team at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards. Wiegman, who has an unbeaten run with England, was named the Women’s Coach of the Year for the 3rd time and Mary Earps won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year following her performance at the Euro’s which saw her concede only 2 goals.