England 6-1 Belgium: Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup with win over Belgium

England 6-1 Belgium: Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup with win over Belgium
_128721019_gettyimages-1468630367.jpgEngland scored 12 goals in the tournament and conceded just two

England have successfully defended the Arnold Clark Cup after a thumping victory over Belgium made it three wins from three games in the tournament.

The Lionesses, now unbeaten in 29 matches, were on top throughout at Ashton Gate, needing only a draw to seal the title.

The familiar image of captain Leah Williamson lifting a trophy afterwards - her third in 12 months - was met by huge cheers, followed by a chorus of 'Sweet Caroline' which became synonymous with their Euro 2022 triumph.

Williamson had an enjoyable evening, getting on the scoresheet twice, as England dominated from the outset and brushed Belgium aside.

Manchester City winger Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final, also netted twice to finish as the tournament's top scorer.

In a busy ending, Lucy Bronze poked in Rachel Daly's knockdown and former Bristol City midfielder Julie Biesmans diverted into her own net to add to England's tally, while Elena Dhont's superb curling strike for Belgium prevented a clean sheet for Mary Earps.

England's preparations for the Women's World Cup continue to go smoothly. With just five months to go until the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, the Lionesses have maintained winning momentum and are still yet to lose under manager Sarina Wiegman.

They conceded just two goals at the Arnold Clark Cup, the other in a narrow 2-1 win over Italy, who finished third behind Belgium and ahead of South Korea.

England entertain as wingers cause havoc

Wiegman wanted to use this tournament to experiment with personnel and she made 18 changes to the starting XI across the three matches, but it made no difference to the outcome.

England, ranked fourth in the world, were heavy favourites against lower-ranked opposition and showed their superiority from the first whistle against Belgium.

Knowing they needed only a point to win the tournament for a second year running, they got off to the perfect start when Lauren James' dangerous run deflected fortuitously for Kelly to tap-in on the goalline in the 12th minute.

James, who was rightly awarded player of the tournament, was a constant menace and Belgium could not handle her creativity, directness and clever movement.

Kelly was equally as dangerous on the other side, cutting inside and drawing saves from goalkeeper Nicky Evrard, who had a busy night in chilly Bristol.

Chelsea defender Millie Bright, who finished top scorer at last year's tournament, had a chance to make it 2-0 in the first half when she headed over from a corner, while Alessia Russo spurned second-half opportunities for the hosts.

The final minutes were frantic as Dhont's consolation strike was sandwiched between Bronze's goal and Williamson's second to round off an enjoyable encounter.

The Lionesses entertained throughout with their attacking quality on display, and have confirmed their status as one of the world's most dangerous sides.

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-3-3

1Earps

2Bronze5Bright6Williamson3Greenwood

8Stanway4Walsh10Toone

16James9Russo7Kelly

1Earps2Bronze5Bright6Williamson3GreenwoodSubstituted forCarterat 63'minutes8Stanway4WalshSubstituted forWubben-Moyat 81'minutes10TooneSubstituted forParkat 81'minutes16JamesSubstituted forHempat 45'minutes9RussoSubstituted forDalyat 72'minutes7Kelly

Substitutes

11Hemp12Daly13Roebuck14Park15Carter17Salmon18Zelem19Charles20Robinson21MacIver22Wubben-Moy23Le Tissier24Nobbs25Coombs

Belgium

Formation 4-4-2

1Evrard

15Vangheluwe20Biesmans6De Caigny11Cayman

17Janssens23Missipo10Vanhaevermaet5Wijnants

16Detruyer9Wullaert

1Evrard15VangheluweSubstituted forDelooseat 63'minutes20BiesmansSubstituted forMeersmanat 85'minutes6De Caigny11Cayman17JanssensSubstituted forAmpoorterat 63'minutesBooked at 64mins23MissipoSubstituted forEurlingsat 85'minutes10Vanhaevermaet5Wijnants16DetruyerSubstituted forDhontat 62'minutes9WullaertSubstituted forFonat 89'minutes

Substitutes

2Philtjens3Van Kerkhoven4Colson7Eurlings12Lemey13Dhont21Bastiaen22Deloose24Meersman25Fon26Ampoorter

Live Text

Match ends, England 6, Belgium Women 1.

Second Half ends, England 6, Belgium Women 1.

Goal! England 6, Belgium Women 1. Leah Williamson (England) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner.

Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (England) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Goal! England 5, Belgium Women 1. Elena Dhont (Belgium Women) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Welma Fon.

Goal! England 5, Belgium Women 0. Lucy Bronze (England) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Rachel Daly following a set piece situation.

Substitution, Belgium Women. Welma Fon replaces Tessa Wullaert.

Chloe Kelly (England) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Sarah Wijnants (Belgium Women).

Attempt blocked. Georgia Stanway (England) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Substitution, Belgium Women. Hannah Eurlings replaces Kassandra Missipo.

Substitution, Belgium Women. Fran Meersman replaces Julie Biesmans.

Substitution, England. Lotte Wubben-Moy replaces Keira Walsh.

Substitution, England. Jessica Park replaces Ella Toone.

Corner, England. Conceded by Janice Cayman.

Own Goal by Julie Biesmans, Belgium Women. England 4, Belgium Women 0.

Corner, Belgium Women. Conceded by Jess Carter.

Attempt saved. Lauren Hemp (England) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.

Substitution, England. Rachel Daly replaces Alessia Russo.

Corner, England. Conceded by Tine De Caigny.

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