England vs Italy LIVE: Lionesses result and reaction as Lauren Hemp scores twice in five-goal win
England 5-1 Italy: Goals from Hemp, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Ella Toone and Rachel Daly completed an impressive win from the Lionesses
Lauren Hemp scored twice as England thrashed Italy in a friendly to conclude their February training camp in the south of Spain.
Hemp’s first-half double put England in total control after the Lionesses took the lead in the opening minute through Lotte Wubben-Moy.
The defender’s first international goal, a header from Alex Greenwood’s corner, gave England the perfect start before a fortuitous second from Hemp.
Hemp added her second with a thumping header from Georgia Stanway’s cross, before substitutes Ella Toone and Rachel Daly added to the score late on.
Toone converted Lauren James’ cross with a volley before Daly punished an Italy mistake to make it five.
Italy had pulled one back before half-time, when Michela Cambiaghi slotted past Mary Earps, but England were comfortable winners.
It rounded off a successful camp for the Lionesses after beating Austria 7-2 on Friday night. Follow live updates from England’s friendly against Italy in tonight’s match blog, and get the latest tips and odds on the fixture, here.
England vs Italy LIVE: Latest Lionesses updates
Wiegman goes strong against Italy, as Grace Clinton is handed another start in midfield after scoring against Austria.
The 20-year-old will line up alongside Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh, who returns to midfield.
Lotte Wubben-Moy partners Alex Greenwood in defence, with Lucy Bronze coming in at right back.
There’s just one change in the forward line as Chloe Kelly replaces Beth Mead on the right.
Mary Earps is back in goal but Walsh captains the side.
There aren’t any of the Under-23s on the bench.
England vs Italy LIVE: Latest Lionesses updates
Team news!
England XI: Earps: Bronze, Wubben-Moy, Greenwood, Charles; Walsh, Stanway, Clinton; Kelly, Russo, Hemp
England vs Italy LIVE: Latest Lionesses updates
England defeated Italy 2-1 at last year’s Arnold Clark Cup, with Rachel Daly scoring twice for the Lionesses.
But Italy disappointed at the World Cup, crashing out in the group stages after losing to South Africa.
They’ve since changed coach - with Andrea Soncin replacing Milena Bertolini - and Italy enjoyed an impressive Nations League campaign, beating world champions Spain.
England vs Italy LIVE: Latest Lionesses updates
What is the England team news?
Fran Kirby has been ruled out due to a “minor knee injury” but Chloe Kelly is set to return. Naomi Layzell, Aggie-Beever-Jones, Laura Blindkilde Brown and Jessica Naz have all been training with the Lionesses ahead of the fixture after being promoted from the Under-23s. They could feature, while Khiara Keating may be handed a debut in goal after Hannah Hampton replaced Mary Earps on Friday.
Possible line-up
England: Keating: Bronze, Carter, Wubben-Moy, Charles; Walsh, Park, Toone; James, Daly, Kelly
England vs Italy LIVE: Latest Lionesses updates
When is England vs Italy?
The match will kick off at 5pm GMT on Tuesday 27 February at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras.
Is it on TV?
England’s fixture will be shown live on ITV 4 and online on ITV X, with coverage starting from 4:15pm.
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Good afternoon
Hello and welcome. England are back in action tonight as the Lionesses face Italy in the south of Spain.
Manager Sarina Wiegman is expected to “experiment” in the second of two friendly fixtures, following England’s 7-2 victory over Austria on Friday night.
Beth Mead and Alessia Russo both scored twice, while 20-year-old midfielder Grace Clinton marked her Lionesses debut with a goal.
England have been using a training camp in Marbella to have a look at some players in the Under-23s, who are also in Spain, and there could be further debutants against Italy.
The Lionesses will begin their qualifying campaign for Euro 2025 in April. You can follow live updates from tonight’s friendly in our match blog.
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