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England thrashed Austria 7-2 in the first of two friendlies during their warm-weather training camp in Marbella.
Grace Clinton starred in her debut with a goal, while Alessia Russo and Beth Mead scored two. Jess Carter and Rachel Daly were also on the scoresheet for the Lionesses.
It was an enjoyable night for coach Sarina Wiegman, who was able to experiment with her squad and bring more experience to the younger players.
The manager is hoping for more of the same when England play Italy in their second friendly on Tuesday.
Mail Sport’s Kathryn Batte highlights five things we learned from Austria’s victory.
England beat Austria 7-2 in the first of two friendlies during their warm-weather training camp.
Grace Clinton starred in her debut with a goal, while Alessia Russo and Beth Mead scored two. Jess Carter and Rachel Daly were also on the Lioness minutes
Clinton ready to step forward:
This may have been Grace Clinton’s first appearance in England, but she seemed more than comfortable on the international stage.
Despite playing in a slightly different position to the one she uses at Tottenham, the midfielder was calm and collected on the ball and linked up well with Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone.
Clinton came within inches of a spectacular goal early in the first half, but her moment came shortly after when she headed in a cross from Lauren Hemp to mark her debut goal.
England have needed more midfield depth for some time now and this will surely be the first of many appearances for the youngster.
This may have been Grace Clinton’s first appearance in England, but she seemed more than comfortable on the international stage.
Stanway effective in role number 6:
Georgia Stanway has been in impressive form for Bayern Munich and brought them into Friday’s game in a less familiar role.
Stanway was used in the number 6 role, normally filled by Keira Walsh, and excelled. The midfielder was everywhere, breaking Austria’s lines with her passes and disrupting their attacks.
There was maturity in Stanway’s performance in that her positioning was exemplary and she was the leader of the midfield three.
She was handed the captain’s armband when Alex Greenwood left at half-time, almost six years after her first England call-up, which came on 24 February 2018.
Georgia Stanway has been in impressive form for Bayern Munich and brought them into Friday’s game in a less familiar role.
Hot weather is not the best for fans:
England’s failure to reach the round of 16 of the Nations League meant that they were forced to play friendlies during this international window.
They had to balance the benefits of having a training camp in a warm climate and away from the spotlight with the benefits of playing these games in England, where they could have filled stadiums.
About 900 tickets were sold for Friday’s game at Estadio Nuevo Miranda, which was in a remote location and much less glamorous than some of the stadiums the Leonas have played in previously.
The stand that housed the fans had no roof, so many stood up when it rained heavily during the first half.
Mead is surprised:
Alex Greenwood’s withdrawal at half-time gave Beth Mead the expected surprise: she was the oldest English player on the field.
Mead, 28, scored in each half as he continues to regain his best form for club and country after returning from an ACL injury.
Although it was an enjoyable night for the Arsenal striker, she jokes that she was horrified to discover she was the most experienced player to return to play in the second half.
‘How did that happen?’ Mead said when he was asked about being the team’s oldest player at the start of the second half.
The striker joked that she had asked Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly, both 32, to come and take the title from her.
Alex Greenwood’s withdrawal at half-time gave Beth Mead the expected surprise: she was the oldest English player on the field.
England must improve defensive corners:
England were far superior to Austria on Friday, but still conceded two goals, which Wiegman admitted she was disappointed with.
Las Leonas disconnected on a corner in the first and also lost concentration on another set piece in the second.
The defense was missing Leah Williamson, Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze and perhaps lacked some leadership at times.
“I’m happy with the seven goals, of course, but there are also some little things we’re not happy with,” Wiegman said.
“We conceded two goals from corner kicks, one we didn’t block well and the second one we couldn’t finish with a header. We could have done better in both, there are always things you want to improve.”
