A much-changed England closed the international calendar with a 1-0 win over Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
Sarina Wigman has named a trial starting line-up, the youngest in average age in her three-and-a-half years in charge of the Lionesses, to find out more about who is fit for next summer’s tournament.
He will have loved what he saw from England’s energetic, lively youngsters as Grace Clinton got on the scoresheet for the third time in five appearances and Aggie Bever-Jones impressed alongside debutant Laura Blindkild-Brown.
Grace Clinton has scored three goals in five appearances for England
The opener came inside eight minutes when Millie Turner, on her first England start, glanced Jess Park’s free-kick against the post and Clinton were first to respond to head home.
The hosts continued to dominate but failed to convert any further chances, inviting Switzerland into the game in the second period after a number of substitutions did more harm than good to England’s rhythm.
Merriam Terchun almost cleared Hannah Hampton off her line with a superb save, while Beth Mead escaped punishment for what appeared to be a foul on Leandro Andrade in the box.
There’s a lot to think about before final decisions are made on next year’s line-up, but there was a reassuring shock all the same as Clinton shone and young Ruby Mays proved an able deputy for Kyra Walsh.
Wiegman is happy with the options, despite the “sloppy” finish
England head coach Sarina Wigman speaking ITV::
“I learned a lot. We played a very good first half, we created moments, but we were constantly busy, and the second half was more sloppy :
“I don’t see it as a lack of goals. We played a lot of players, we did different things. I want to score more goals, but we are moving forward and we are going again in February.
“A lot of things we need to improve, but if you see the number of options we have now, we tried some new tactics and the players are giving themselves a good chance to be in the tournament next summer.”
Wiegman also confirmed that the intention was there Lucy Bronze to come on in the second half, but the right-back missed out after being accidentally left out of the team sheet, saying: “Unfortunately, it was a human error on our part. And it is of course very disappointing and very disappointing because we wanted. bring him, mostly for him sometimes it happens.”
Analysis: The impressive Clinton is impossible to ignore
Grace Clinton will play for England next summer
Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter.
There’s an England player in Grace Clinton. If there was one area of the pitch Sarina Wiegmann would like more options in, it’s at No. 10. Three goals in five internationals on her debut in October alone is a great return, but beyond that the connections formed will encourage Wigman.
Finding pockets, exploiting space, coming onto the field with creativity and vision. these are all huge weapons for an England team that so often faces opposition teams that favor a compact low block.
Clinton can clear the defense with a simple drop off the shoulder or a pass, in this game he won a free kick to Jess Park for a goal before taking the line himself. He has made a case for himself and will now be hard to ignore as Wiegmann begins to put together plans to defend his Euro title next summer.
