England vs Switzerland LIVE: Grace Clinton gives Lionesses slender win at Bramall Lane
England 1-0 Switzerland: Clinton’s strike ends Lionesses’ year on a high
England ended a ‘tough’ 2024 with a victory as they defeated Switzerland 1-0 at Bramall Lane in an international friendly.
Coming off the back of a 0-0 draw with Emma Hayes’ United States, Sarina Wiegman decided to switch things up and made 10 changes to the starting line-up and handing a debut to Laura Blindkilde Brown. Aggie Beever-Jones also made a first start for the Lionesses and was effective at the top of the pitch.
Elsewhere, Jess Park and Grace Clinton showed off their credential as they look for spots on the plane for next summer’s Euros. Park delivering a fine free kick and Clinton finishing off the move to score the only goal of the game.
In the second half, Switzerland bounced back and created plenty of chances to test Hannah Hampton in between the sticks but the goalkeeper was up to the task and kept a clean sheet. It was far from the dominant display of Wiegman’s early reign but the signs are strong that the new generation can live up to their experienced counterparts.
Relive the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
Grace Clinton strike ends Lionesses’ year with win over Switzerland
Grace Clinton’s early finish proved the winner as England concluded 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a friendly at Bramall Lane.
Continuing preparations for next summer’s title defence at the Euros by taking on the team who will be hosting the tournament, a much-changed, youthful Lionesses side went in front in the eighth minute when Clinton buried the loose ball after Manchester United team-mate Millie Turner had headed against the post.
England were unable to add to that despite creating a number of chances, including debutant Laura Blindkilde Brown being denied by Swiss goalkeeper Elvira Herzog.
Grace Clinton strike ends Lionesses’ year with win over Switzerland
England 1-0 Switzerland: The Manchester United midfielder struck after eight minutes at Bramall Lane.
More from Clinton
Clinton told ITV4:“Everyone wants to play for their country and to do it at a tournament is what I want to do.
“I think the future is bright and they have done so well tonight. They have been around and done it in the WSL so it is nice to see them put an England shirt on.”
Karen Carney on Clinton’s goal
The ITV pundit said: “It is all about arriving in the box at the right time. She deserved it. There is definitely more to come from her. Out of the young group she is the one shining through.”
Grace Clinton reacts to England win
England matchwinner Grace Clinton told ITV: “In international football it’s like that, very competitive. We kept them out and got the win.
“It’s always nice to get a goal for England. We should have had more, we had the chances but that’s a positive. We have plenty of players who can finish them off.
“It was amazing, the crowd were great and it was nice to play with some faces I played with when I was younger. It’s what dreams are made of.”
Full-time! England 1-0 Switzerland
90+3 mins: There goes the whistle! A late attack from Georgia Stanway gets the crowd excited as she rattles the post but the result is unaffected.
The Lionesses get their win and end 2024 with a well fought for victory. Next up is the start of the European Championship preparations.
Sarina Wiegman will be pleased but will also have plenty of questions to answer before the summer.
England 1-0 Switzerland
90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
England 1-0 Switzerland
88 mins: It’s better from England. The experience fo the first choice Lionesses have brought a calm and composed nature to the team and they’re controlling possession better with an eye for a second goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
85 mins: Jess Carter has also replaced Millie Turner with England now setting themselves up with a back four to make the defence more solid for the closing minutes.
England 1-0 Switzerland
82 mins: The England fans are singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ the unofficial anthem of the Lionesses as they attempt to encourage England to get this win over the line.
Laure Blindkilde Brown and Aggie Beever-Jones are taken off with the match getting tight. Georgia Stanway and Jess Naz are on.
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