England have extended their unbeaten run under manager Sarina Wiegman to 25 games with a 4-0 win over Japan on Friday night. Goals came from Rachel Daly, Chloe Kelly, Ella Toone and Jess Park.
In one of the final international match windows before the Women’s World Cup next summer, the Lionesses continue their dominance after winning the 2022 Euro, and ESPN’s Sophie Lawson has reaction and analysis from Friday’s match.
Rapid reaction
1. England are better when they can utilise the full width
Still playing confident football after their success at the European Championships this summer, the front three of Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead are seemingly the favoured trio for coach, Sarina Wiegman. Indeed, the team were at their best when they could bring Mead and Kelly into the game.
Most of the better attacks from the Lionesses came when Kelly was involved and sending balls in from the left — a role usually occupied by Kelly’s Manchester City teammate, Lauren Hemp who withdrew from the England squad with the knock.
With Rachel Daly still the first choice at right back — a controversial call from Wiegman with Daly playing in the attack for her club team — the 30-year-old showed the value of having her on the pitch when she raced onto an uncleared ball and sent it home.
With Japan cluttering the middle of the pitch, using the full width would have been the no-brainer from the coach but it was not only a way of getting around the Japanese defensive efforts but playing to England’s strengths.
