England vs Switzerland LIVE: Euro 2022 warm-up game result and reaction as Lionesses win in style
Follow reaction from Zurich after the Lionesses finalise preparations for next week’s home European Championships with a big win
England travel to Zurich to take on Switzerland in their final warm-up match before Euro 2022 gets underway on home soil next week.
The Lionesses are still unbeaten since coach Sarina Wiegman took over last September and impressive victories over Belgium and reigning European champions Netherlands in their most recent two warm-up fixtures have extended that record.
England are legitimate contenders to win Euro 2022 but this is Wiegman’s last chance to take a look at her players before the tournament’s opening match against Austria at Old Trafford next Wednesday.
Switzerland have also qualified for the tournament, so will provide a stiff test for the Lionesses, who have their 50-goal record scorer Ellen White available again after she missed the victory over the Dutch after testing positive for Covid.
Relive the action as England triumph in their final Euros warm-up match against Switzerland:
SAVE! 4’ - Switzerland 0-0 England
WHAT A SAVE! So close for the Lionesses.
Walsh switches the ball to Daly, good link play from Russo and it breaks for Kirby in the box, who should score from about six yards out. But Switzerland keeper Friedli gets across and saves with her leg. A brilliant stop!
3’ - Switzerland 0-0 England
More promising from England as they attack down the left and the always-dangerous Lauren Hemp’s whipped cross is ina great area but no-one can get on the end of it. If drifts harmlessly out for a goal-kick.
A clever inside flick for Kirby, intended for Russo, is then just about cut out by the Swiss defence
1’ - Switzerland 0-0 England
Underway in Zurich. Switzerland almost immediately on the attack as Sow looks to put a ball across the box but the Lionesses scramble it clear.
Switzerland vs England
Anthems complete and we’re about to get underway in Zurich. 11,000 tickets sold - a record for a women’s international in Switzerland
England team news
Less than 15 minutes until kick-off and a quick reminder of the Lionesses team named this afternoon.
There are three England changes from the side who thrashed the Netherlands. Beth Mead, Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo replace Chloe Kelly, Bethany England and the ill Lucy Bronze.
Ellen White is on the bench after recovering from Covid.
England XI: Earps; Daly, Bright, Williamson, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway, Kirby; Hemp, Kirby, Mead
Switzerland vs England stats
A couple more stats for you, courtesy of OPTA. You only need to watch Lauren Hemp to realise how electric she is but this just proves it
- Lauren Hemp has been involved in more goals than any other England player in 2022 (9 – 3 goals, 6 assists), scoring and assisting twice last time out against the Netherlands.
- England have scored eight goals in their last two games (3 v Belgium and 5 v the Netherlands), with five of those being scored by substitutes (Chloe Kelly, Rachel Daly, Beth Mead x2 and Ella Toone).
- Having won six successive matches between September – November 2021, Switzerland have since gone winless in five games (D2 L3), losing each of their last two (v Italy & Germany). The Swiss haven’t lost three on the bounce in all competitions since February of last year.
England record-breaker Beth Mead says competition for places has improved form
Beth Mead says competition for places has helped improve her performance after she continued her superb form by setting a new England record last Friday.
Having been brought on as a substitute at half-time, Mead scored twice as the Lionesses thrashed the Netherlands 5-1 at Elland Road in their penultimate warm-up match ahead of next month’s home European Championship.
Registering her 13th and 14th goals for her country since the start of 2021-22, she broke a 61-year-old England record held by Jimmy Greaves for scoring the most goals in a season.
England record-breaker Beth Mead says competition for places has improved form
Mead scored twice as the Lionesses thrashed the Netherlands 5-1 at Elland Road
Euro 2022 TV schedule: Where can I watch the games?
Euro 2022 finally gets underway in July after the tournament was postponed by a year due to the pandemic.
England have the chance to claim victory on home soil after falling short at the semi-final stage in the 2019 World Cup and the Lionesses remain unbeaten since head coach Sarina Wiegman took charge.
“I am excited by what is possible for this group. We all know this is a huge opportunity and it is one we have to grab with both hands,” Wiegman said after naming her final squad for the tournament.
“The chance to represent the nation on such a big stage on home soil is one to relish. This group so far has proven they are prepared to give it all they have in every training session, in every meeting and in every game.”
Spain are considered the slight favourites to clinch glory, though, with captain and Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas aiming to replicate the success of Barcelona’s domestic treble. France and the Netherlands will also provide a major threat - although the Lionesses hammered the reigning European champions 5-1 in a warm-up match - while England must nullify Ada Hegerberg and avoid a slip-up against Norway in the group stage.
Here’s all you need to know about how to watch the tournament.
Euro 2022 TV schedule: Where can I watch the games?
Everything you need to know ahead of the tournament this summer
England team news
Ellen White has recovered sufficiently from Covid to take her place on the bench but it will be the likes of Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby providing the attacking impetus for England today.
Young Manchester United star Russo likely to lead the line - will be intriguing to see how she gets on.
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