Sarina Wiegman Hails England’s ‘Growth Potential’ After Signing New Contract
England take on Austria in an international women’s friendly match as part of their February training camp.
The Lionesses have two friendlies in Marbella, against Austria and Italy as part of the international break, but it is a schedule that offers little relief to burnt out players, despite the national side having missed out on qualification for the Paris Olympics this summer.
Sarina Wiegman’s side were dealt a blow ahead of the matches. Euro 2021-winning captain Leah Williamson had been called up for the first time following her nine-month recovery from her anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Her much-anticipated return had to be pushed back after she sustained what has been described as a minor hamstring injury.
The England manager recently signed a contract extension with the Football Association until 2027, and this will mark the start of her new cycle although without a tournament on the horizon, the matches themselves do not count for anything significant.
Follow all the live updates in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here.
England vs Austria
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England 3-1 Austria
40 mins: England almost have another!
Greenwood’s corner finds Stanway, who tries to hit the ball towards the goal but it is blocked and after a ricochet flies behind for a goal kick.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:26
GOAL! Mead extends the Lionesses’ lead – England 3-1 Austria
GOAL! 36 mins: Mead scores to extend England’s lead!
Russo had fluffed a shot earlier in the move, but Austria could not clear and the ball fell to Mead who curled the ball into the top corner.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:23
England 2-1 Austria
34 mins: Russo is full of confidence and decides to launch a shot from distance, it was slightly awkward for the goalkeeper in the rain, but she managed to hold on to the ball on this occasion, after her error for the first goal of the game.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:20
England 2-1 Austria
32 mins: Toone has a chance to re-establish England’s two-goal lead, but this time it was straight at the goalkeeper.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:18
GOAL! Kirchberger pulls one back! England 2-1 Austria
30 mins: GOAL! Kirchberger makes the most of some slightly lacklustre England defending to head the ball home and pull one back for the Austrians.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:17
England 2-0 Austria
28 mins: Clinton has made herself known on debut! That was a heavy challenge just outside the Austria box and they will rightly have a free kick.
The fans are abandoning their seats in favour of shelter as the rain starts to fall hard.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:14
England 2-0 Austria
27 mins: That time Charles when trying to get forward did concede a free kick and it gives Austria a chance to mount an attack of their own.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:13
England 2-0 Austria
25 mins: Russo is chasing down absolutely everything and putting a lot of pressure on the Austria defence, who ahve conceded twice already.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:11
England 2-0 Austria
23 mins: When Austria have got forward, their decision-making has been questionable at best, as another attempt has just blazed far over the bar.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:09
GOAL! Clinton scores on debut! England 2-0 Austria
19 mins: GOAL! Clinton has her goal on debut!
Having just seen one rebound off the woodwork, Clinton was in the right position to capitalise on some poor defending to head a Lauren Hemp cross into the back of the net.
Sonia Twigg23 February 2024 20:05