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Rachel Daly’s brace fired England to a 2-1 win against Italy in 2023 Arnold Clark Cup at CBS Arena, Coventry.
Daly nodded England in front from Katie Robinson’s 32nd minute cross as England battled their way through a physical first half.
The Harrogate-born striker – who can also play at full-back – then headed in a 71st minute winner from Lauren James’ cross to seal victory.
Sofia Cantore though had pulled Italy level in the 62nd minute with a controversial consolatory header which was allowed to stand, despite the initial cross being delivered beyond the byline by Barbara Bonanesa.
England now sit top of the table on six points ahead of Belgium after the latter’s 2-1 win over rock-bottom South Korea, whilst Italy remain second-bottom without a win.
Following Thursday’s thrashing of South Korea, Wiegman opted to make nine changes as only Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter retained their places in the starting line-up whilst Robinson and Jess Park made their first senior starts for England at international level.
Keira Walsh meanwhile started in midfield upon her return to the matchday squad after she was left out of Thursday’s win, due to illness as she replaced Georgia Stanway in the central midfielder role.
Wiegman’s gamble on a massive wave of squad rotation though initially looked to have paid off with an energetic high-pressing start, which saw Jess Park curl wide from Niamh Charles’ cutback pass in the third minute.
Italy though had set up defensively deep with view to hit England on the counter which almost paid dividends in the fifth minute, as Valentina Giacinti broke forward but Ellie Roebuck was alert to block her shot.
Park though quickly set about frustrating Italy in response as she teed up Daly who saw her eighth minute shot saved by Laura Giuliani, before Park curled over the bar less than one minute later.
Italy however proved incredibly difficult to break down as England were soon afterwards limited to scrappy chances, with only Maya Le Tissier going close as she fired wide in the 18th minute.
England nevertheless found the breakthrough goal in the 32nd minute as a headed clearance fell to Laura Coombs, who quickly found Robinson to swing in a cross from the right which Daly rose beyond Valentina Bergamaschi to head in beyond Giuliani’s reach.
Any hopes of the Lionesses quickly kicking on and finding a second goal before half-time proved difficult, as Italy dug deep to keep their deficit at the break down to a single goal, although were lucky that Daly headed Le Tissier’s offside cross onto the bar in first-half injury-time.
Wiegman though wasn’t impressed with England’s first-half performance and substituted Park plus Walsh for Katie Zelem plus Jordan Nobbs, which added extra intensity as England dominated the start of the second half as Daly volleyed over from Le Tissier’s 47th minute cross.
Daly then again volleyed over three minutes later as she met Robinson’s cross, before Nobbs went close twice in the 54th minute but both shots were blocked.
Italy meanwhile made two changes in the 56th minute which soon paid off as Cantore controversially headed in a 62nd minute equaliser via deflection of Roebuck’s fumbling hands, as she met Bonanesa’s cross which was delivered from just beyond the byline.
England were initially left furious at referee, Ivana Projkovska who allowed the goal to stand as Wiegman immediately made three changes, with Chloe Kelly, Lotte Wubben-Moy and James sent on for Hemp, Alex Greenwood and Robinson.
That response soon paid off as James whipped in a 71st minute cross which Daly swiftly met with a powerful header across into the far bottom-left corner, beyond Giuliani’s reach to restore England’s lead.
England thereafter weathered waves of scrappy Italian attacks to cling on for their second victory in this year’s tournament to put themselves on the verge of the title with one match left, as they face Belgium on 22 February at Ashton Gate, Bristol, in a winners-take-all showdown.
Daly’s brace also ensured that England are now unbeaten in 28 matches in all competitions since Wiegman took over in September 2021.
What’s Next?
England conclude their title defence with a clash against Belgium at Ashton Gate on Wednesday 22 February, in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off live on ITV4 and ITVX in UK.
Italy meanwhile will meet South Korea in the early kick-off at Ashton Gate on that date at 4:45pm GMT iin their final match of this year’s Arnold Clark Cup.
Teams
England: Ellie Roebuck, Maya le Tissier, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood (Wubben-Moy 63′), Niamh Charles, Laura Coombs Keira Walsh (Zelem 45′), Jess Park (Nobbs 45′), Lauren Hemp (Kelly 63′), Rachel Daly (Salmon 81′), Katie Robinson (James 63′)
Substitutes: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly, Georgia Stanway, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Lauren James, Ebony Salmon, Katie Zelem, Sandy MaClver, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jordan Nobbs
Italy: Laura Giuliani, Cecilia Salvai, Lisa Boattin (Linari 45′), Martina Lenzini, Valentina Bergamaschi (Orsi 70′), Manuela Giugliano, Martina Rosucci (Greggi 79′), Aurora Galli (Caruso 56′), Cristiana Girelli (Cantore 56′), Valentina Giacinti, Barbara Bonanesa (Serturini 79′)
Substitutes: Katja Schroffenegger, Rachele Baldi, Maria Filangeri, Elena Linari, Sofia Cantore, Federica Cafferata, Agnese Bonfantini, Annamaria Serturini, Elisa Polli, Arianna Caruso, Martina Piemonte, Giada Greggi, Michela Catena, Benedetta Orsi, Emma Severini
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