England vs South Korea LIVE: Arnold Clark Cup result, final score and reaction as Lionesses storm to victory
England 4-0 South Korea: The Lionesses opened their Arnold Clark Cup campaign with an impressive win
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Your support makes all the difference.Sarina Wiegman wants to use the Arnold Clark Cup as preparation for this summer’s World Cup. She hopes to use these three games to look at new players, try out new formations, and work out plans as she attempts to turn the European Champions into World Champions. Based on tonight’s performance Wiegman’s conclusion must be that England have really, really good players.
South Korea were able opponents throughout the first half. Setting up in a low block and making it difficult for England to break them down. The Lionesses started slow, they were sluggish, and lacked creativity in the face of steadfast opponents with the sole exception being Lauren James.
Picked to partner Alessia Russo up top, James provided pace, power, and drive to work England up the pitch and get within range of the target. It was she who won England’s first half penalty – ably despatched by Georgia Stanway – and sent the Lionesses into the break with a slender lead.
Her teammates decided to match her levels in the second half. Russo and Chloe Kelly both netting within five minutes of each other to put the match beyond their Korean opponents. The game became an exhibition and England came alive. They passed the ball with speed, guile, and confidence, took shots from all areas of the pitch, and put on a second half show for the fans inside the Stadium MK.
To cap off an impressive night, James arrived on the end of a Lucy Bronze cross and slotted home a side-footed strike to the bottom corner to score her first ever international goal.
Relive the action from England’s opening match versus South Korea:
Arnold Clark Cup talking points
Notable returns
The squad for the tournament announced last week has a number of players back in after injury, including skipper Leah Williamson, who missed the games in October and November due to a foot problem.
There is also a recall for fellow defender Jess Carter, another member of the Euro 2022-winning squad, and for two-cap midfielder Laura Coombs, having not been in the fold since 2020 and last played for England in 2015.
Emily Ramsey has received her first senior call-up as one of four goalkeepers in the group.
Arnold Clark Cup talking points
Late inclusion for Nobbs but no England
Jordan Nobbs, who moved from Arsenal to Aston Villa in January and is eyeing the summer’s World Cup after missing both the last edition and Euro 2022 following injuries, was initially left out of this Arnold Clark Cup squad.
But the 30-year-old midfielder was subsequently brought in by Wiegman at the weekend as Fran Kirby withdrew due to a knee issue – and Nobbs looked in the mood to impress on Sunday as she notched a hat-trick in Villa’s 6-2 win at Brighton.
There is no place for Bethany England despite scoring goals since her January move from Chelsea to Tottenham, and fellow Euros-winning forward Nikita Parris has also been omitted. Beth Mead is out due to the ACL injury she suffered in November.
Arnold Clark Cup talking points
Defending champions
The Arnold Clark Cup has served England well before – they won the inaugural edition this time last year after a 1-1 draw with Canada at the Riverside Stadium, 0-0 draw with Spain at Carrow Road and 3-1 victory over Germany at Molineux, and Sarina Wiegman has spoken about the boost that provided in terms of momentum and confidence ahead of the Euros.
The cup defence sees them follow the South Korea match with games against Italy in Coventry on Sunday and then Belgium in Bristol three days later.
Arnold Clark Cup talking points
Still unbeaten
England begin the calendar year having gone without defeat across the whole of 2022, extending a run that started when Sarina Wiegman took charge in September 2021.
It is currently 26 games under the Dutchwoman with 22 wins, two of which were secured in extra-time – the quarter-final and final of the triumphant run at the home Euros in July.
The Lionesses are now building towards the World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand this summer, where they will look to take the success achieved in Wiegman’s tenure to even greater heights.
England’s road to World Cup glory begins with Arnold Clark Cup return
England were in trouble, as teams often are when their centre-back is thrown forward into the box in the dying moments, wheeled into place as a makeshift striker. And yet, even as the Lionesses were ten minutes away from being knocked out of the Euros, trailing Spain on a stuffy July night in Brighton, Sarina Wiegman had prepared for that exact scenario.
It’s a plan that managers don’t really want to use, a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ situation, and when Millie Bright was given the signal it was an admission that things had gone wrong. But England had been there before: rewind five months and Bright had been hauled forward in the final match of the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup, as the Lionesses chased the late goal they needed to beat Spain to the title.
It was in the 84th minute when Bright struck against Germany to give England the lead and, from there, their first trophy under Wiegman. It was almost in the same minute later that year when Ella Toone rescued the Lionesses against Spain at the Euros. And there was Bright in the box again, glass shattered on the floor, being a presence and creating a panic, just as the defender had done against Germany at Molineux.
England’s road to World Cup glory begins with Arnold Clark Cup return
The Lionesses will defend their Arnold Clark Cup title against South Korea, Italy and Belgium as Sarina Wiegman shapes her plans ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
Arnold Clark Cup fixtures
Thursday 16 February - Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
Italy vs Belgium - 4:45pm
England vs Korea Republic - 7:45pm
Sunday 19 February - CBS Arena, Coventry
England vs Italy - 3:15pm
Belgium vs Korea Republic - 6:15pm
Wednesday 22 February - Ashton Gate, Bristol
Korea Republic vs Italy - 4:45pm
England vs Belgium - 7:45pm
What is the England squad for the Arnold Clark Cup?
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Emily Ramsey (Everton, on loan from Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jessica Park (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
Forwards:Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash).
What is England’s early team news?
Leah Williamson is set to make her first England appearance since September after the Lionesses captain missed the last two international windows due to injury, but midfielder Kiera Walsh is a doubt due to illness.
Sarina Wiegman has a fully-fit squad elsewhere, but is without Beth Mead and Fran Kirby due to injury, while the likes of Beth England and Nikita Parris missed out on the squad.
How to watch England vs South Korea
England’s opening match of the Arnold Clark Cup will kick off at 7:45 pm on Thursday 16 February.
It will be shown live on ITV 4, with coverage starting from 7pm. It will also be available to watch live on the ITV X online platform.
England vs South Korea
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Arnold Clark Cup action. England start their 2023 campaign against South Korea in Milton Keynes with Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson hoping to regain their title as champions.
The Lionesses won the inaugural edition of this invitational tournament last year when they edged out Spain on goal difference after both teams finished the round robin on five points from their three matches. Wiegman’s side went unbeaten in that tournament which proved to be excellent preparation for the European Championship.
With the Women’s World Cup looming this summer, the Lionesses coach will be hoping for a similar boost as England look to lift the trophy once more. This year’s competing nations, alongside England, are Belgium, Italy and South Korea.
Kick off for this opening fixture is at 7.45pm and the match will be broadcast on ITV with building starting from 7pm.
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