International round-up: Lionesses record ends

Wednesday 12 April 2023 11:30

England's Women suffered their first defeat of Sarina Wiegman's reign yesterday evening, losing 2-0 to Australia at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium in an international friendly.

Goals from Chelsea forward Sam Kerr and Charlotte Grant sealed the victory for the Matildas, in a game where the Lionesses mustered fifteen shots on target, but couldn't breach Australia's stern backline.

Mary Earps
, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo all featured for England across the 90 minutes, while Maya Le Tissier was an unused substitute, with preparations now beginning ahead of this summer's Women's World Cup over in Australia & New Zealand.
Elsewhere Adriana Leon and Jayde Riviere both featured for Canada as they lost 2-1 to France in Le Mans.

Quick-fire goals from Grace Geyoro and Lea Le Garrec saw the hosts go two goals to the good, before Jordyn Huitema's consolation proved too little, too late.

Hayley Ladd played the full 90 minutes as Wales drew 1-1 with Portugal at the Estádio Dom Afonso Henriques in Guimarães. Rachel Rowe's equaliser cancelled out Telma Encarnação's opener.

Safia Middleton-Patel and Chloe Williams were both unused substitutes for the Dragons, whilst Carrie Jones did not feature in the matchday squad.

Scotland were 4-0 winners over Costa Rica at Hampden Park, as United striker Martha Thomas played the last 33 minutes in Glasgow, after being introduced from the bench.

Emma Watson (two), Katherine Alvarado and Caroline Weir were all on target for Pedro Martínez Losa's side, as they ran out comfortable winners.

Aoife Mannion wasn't involved for the Republic of Ireland in their 1-0 defeat against reigning world champions USA in the early hours of this morning.

The United Women defender however did feature in the previous friendly against the US on Saturday, playing just under an hour as they succumbed to a 2-0 loss in Texas.

Toone relishing club and country role

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Our no.7 loves the freedom she is being given when playing for both United and England.

Finally, Vilde Boe Risa played almost all of Norway's stunning 3-3 draw with Sweden, eventually being brought off in the 88th minute of the contest in Gothenburg.

The Reds midfielder grabbed an assist for Frida Maanum's equaliser to make it 1-1, with both sides scoring in added time of the contest.

Sweden had thought they had won it when Olivia Schough made it 3-2 with just minutes remaining, only for Norway's Maanum to grab her second of the game in the 96th minute to level proceedings at 3-3.

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