England's Lionesses delivered an emphatic performance in their international friendly against Italy, securing a resounding 5-1 victory. The match, held in Spain, saw Arsenal forward Chloe Kelly play a pivotal role, further cementing her place as a key player for Sarina Wiegman's squad.
The game started brightly for England, with Kelly opening the scoring early on. Her clinical finish set the tone for what would become a dominant display from the European champions. Italy struggled to contain England's attacking prowess, conceding four more goals before managing a late consolation.
Kelly's Stellar Performance
Chloe Kelly, who recently returned to Arsenal after a spell with Manchester City, demonstrated why she remains one of England's most dangerous attacking threats. Her pace, creativity and eye for goal were on full display throughout the match.
The 26-year-old winger told reporters after the game: "It's always special to score for your country. We're building something special with this team, and performances like today show we're heading in the right direction."
Preparation for Nations League
This convincing win serves as ideal preparation for England's upcoming UEFA Women's Nations League fixtures. The Lionesses face crucial matches against Netherlands and Scotland in October as they look to secure Olympic qualification for Team GB.
Manager Sarina Wiegman praised her team's performance: "We showed great intensity and quality today. Chloe was excellent, but it was a real team effort. We still have work to do, but this gives us good momentum."
The match also provided valuable minutes for several squad players as Wiegman continues to assess her options ahead of next summer's major tournaments.
