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
43 mins: Half chance for Italy! Bonansea turns well in midfield and carries forward into the space. Giacinti looked to make the run off Carter’s shoulder and Bonansea slipped her in, but Roebuck read it well and raced out to gather. Good goalkeeping.
England 1-0 Italy
39 mins: Italy have yet to respond to England’s opening goal. They set out aiming to restrict England but look short in confidence when they have the chance to go forward.
Carter mops up an Italy attack as Giugliano looked for Giacinti.
England 1-0 Italy
What a brilliant header this is from Rachel Daly.
GOAL! England 1-0 Italy (DALY 33’)
The Lionesses take the lead! Robinson delivers and Daly meets the cross to head England in front!
It was great play from England - starting with a ball from Greenwood out wide to Hemp. The winger drove forward but Italy failed to properly clear her cross. Le Tissier won an important header to keep England on the front foot and it was played out wide to Robinson on the right.
This time, the cross found its target: Daly beat her defender to the ball and powered a header past the Italy goalkeeper. Great movement and a great goal for Daly to get - vindicating her selection up front!
England 0-0 Italy
31 mins: Park gets the crowd on their feet with a quick turn and drive forward from midfield - but England end up going backwards.
England 0-0 Italy
28 mins: Hemp, involved again, works a yard of space but her cross goes straight into Giuliani’s grasp. The Lionesses seem to be just a bit predictable at the moment - England are struggling to turn their possession into chances.
England 0-0 Italy
25 mins: Giugliano looks to be ok, as England go back to Hemp. Italy do well to make sure the England winger isn’t able to pick up full speed, and Hemp is being doubled or even tripled up early on.
England 0-0 Italy
22 mins: Hemp gets a couple of chances to drive forward on the left - the winger skips to the byline but can’t find a target with her cross, and Italy do a better job of crowding her out on the next play.
Giugliano stays down, though, holding her knee.
England 0-0 Italy
20 mins: Greenwood looks to hit a long ball to Daly, but it’s overhit. England have just lost a little of their rhythm after a bright start.
At the other end, Greenwood does well to race back and cut out a possible Italy counter-attack.
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