Russo scores as Lionesses sweep aside Switzerland
United Women's Alessia Russo was on target for the Lionesses last night, as Sarina Wiegman’s side recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory over Switzerland in Zurich.
The 23-year-old started England’s final warm-up fixture before the 2022 European Championship and netted in the 56th minute to break the deadlock, expertly heading Rachel Daly’s cross into the bottom corner.
Opening the scoring in Switzerland!
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 30, 2022
👏 @alessiarusso7 pic.twitter.com/RVFPDd2clK
Russo’s goal opened the floodgates, as Georgia Stanway’s 74th-minute penalty and Beth England’s nodded effort just two minutes later put the game beyond the hosts.
Veteran Lioness Jill Scott came off the bench to round off the win, with another header in injury time.
Russo, who was substituted just after the hour mark, was awarded England’s Player of the Match award, while fellow Reds Mary Earps and Ella Toone also featured in the commanding victory.
Earps looked assured between the sticks, while Toone came on as second-half substitute and was characteristically energetic and exciting, looking to build on her impressive goal against the Netherlands last week.
England’s win added to a positive week for United Women on international duty, as Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa recorded a 2-1 win away to Denmark on Wednesday, as their preparations for the 2022 Euros concluded.
Thorisdottir started the match in Varberg, Sweden, opposite Danish striker Signe Bruun, who played the second half of last season on loan at United from Lyon. Despite Bruun’s first-minute opener, a double from Chelsea's Guro Reiten earned Norway the win.
This fixture also carried more significance for Boe Risa, as our midfielder joined the action in the 83rd minute for her 50th international appearance for Norway.
50 caps old picture. Proud and humble. Enjoying every step on the way. Next up England and Euros. Finally, let the games begin 🤟🏼 pic.twitter.com/vyjEOjI9Th
— Vilde Bøe Risa (@VildeBoeRisa) June 29, 2022
Elsewhere, United Women full-back Ona Batlle faces a trip to Italy this afternoon with Spain, while Reds midfielder Jackie Groenen’s Netherlands host Finland in their final Euro 2022 warm-up match.
Following these fixtures, all eyes will be on next Wednesday's tournament curtain-raiser at Old Trafford, when England take on Austria.