England vs Italy LIVE: Arnold Clark Cup result and final score as Rachel Daly goals seal win for Lionesses
England 2-1 Italy: Daly seized her chance after being selected up front and restored England’s lead following a controversial second-half equaliser
England made it two wins out of two at the Arnold Clark Cup as Rachel Daly’s double defeated Italy in Coventry.
The Lionesses made nine changes as Sarina Wiegman named an experimental side but Daly shone after being selected up front.
The Aston Villa striker, who played at left back in the Euros last summer, scored a header in each half as England followed up on their 4-0 opening win over South Korea.
Italy scored a controversial equaliser on 70 minutes after the ball seemed to go out of play before Sofia Cantore headed past Ellie Roebuck, but Daly restored England’s lead when she met Lauren James’ cross and powered a sensational header into the far corner.
England will face Belgium in their final match of the tournament on Wednesday, with the Lionesses in a commanding position as they look to retain the Arnold Clark Cup.
England 1-0 Italy
54 mins: SAVE! This is a lovely move from England. Greenwood picks out a brilliant ball to find Hemp on the turn, who then slips in Nobbs. The pull-back from Nobbs isn’t cleared - and she has the chance at the near post, but Giuliani makes the stop!
England 1-0 Italy
52 mins: Good wing play from both Hemp and Robinson, as they hit the byline after beating their closes defender. First Hemp’s cross was cleared at the back post before Robinson’s clipped ball back in was picked out by Giuliani.
England 1-0 Italy
50 mins: England almost catch out Italy at the goalkick, as Daly leads the press. England think they’ve won it back but Daly fouled the Italy defender.
England 1-0 Italy
49 mins: Another chance! Good play from England - as Zelem whips a ball around the corner and plays in Robinson on the right. Robinson whips it across, but Daly hits over on the half volley.
England 1-0 Italy
47 mins: Early chance for Daly! The link-up play between Robinson and Le Tissier has been a real plus for England, and the full-back picks out Daly with a clipped ball into the box. It’s a little behind Daly, whose hooked effort at goal goes wide.
England 1-0 Italy
Back underway! So Nobbs and Zelem are on for Walsh and Park in midfield.
HALF TIME! England 1-0 Italy
Almost ready to go again in Coventry - and Jordan Nobbs and Katie Zelem are preparing to come on for England.
HALF TIME! England 1-0 Italy
So far, so good for England in terms of making it two wins out of two in the Arnold Clark Cup.
Sarina Wiegman will be more looking at the performance, though, after making nine changes to her side.
Rachel Daly has certainly made her statement, scoring after being selected up front. Katie Robinson has been bright and delivered a great assist for Daly’s header.
England have lacked a bit of rhythm, though. Italy have crowded around Keira Walsh and Jess Park hasn’t been as influential as she could be, while Laura Coombs has been quiet.
Defensively, England have been pretty solid.
HALF TIME! England 1-0 Italy
And that’s half time! England lead at the break thanks to Daly’s header.
England 1-0 Italy
45 mins: Off the bar! Hemp, now on the right, fires an inswinging cross into the middle, where Daly rises well again. This time the header loops up and hits the bar, and the flag then goes up for offside. Daly had just gone early, so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
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