All eyes will be on a sold-out Wembley Stadium this Saturday afternoon as England's Lionesses welcome China for a high-profile international friendly. This sixth meeting between the two nations pits the reigning European champions against the holders of the Asian Cup, offering a fascinating clash of continental titans on English soil.
A Tale of Diverging Fortunes
The last encounter between these teams was a stark demonstration of their changing trajectories. At the 2023 Women's World Cup in Adelaide, England delivered a stunning 6-1 victory that propelled them toward the tournament final while marking China's worst-ever World Cup finish. That match became famous for manager Sarina Wiegman's bold tactical switch to a 3-5-2 formation, a necessary adjustment to cope with the absence of injured midfielder Keira Walsh.
Much has changed since that decisive victory. The Lionesses have since reverted to their preferred 4-3-3 system to secure a second consecutive European title last summer. At the heart of this successful setup is Walsh, the 28-year-old midfield maestro whose distribution and control make England's engine room tick. Opponents frequently build their game plans around nullifying her influence, and China will likely be no exception.
New Responsibilities for Walsh
This match carries extra significance for Walsh, who will lead the team out at Wembley as captain in the continued absence of the injured Leah Williamson. The Barcelona star has acknowledged the adjustment required in taking on this leadership role, contrasting her quieter demeanour with Williamson's more vocal approach.
"I'm probably a little bit quieter than Leah, especially off the pitch," Walsh admitted. "When I was younger, Sarina had to tell me a few times to try and get involved in conversations and share my experiences a little bit more. I just try and lead in how I play and my consistency in the training drills we do and just try and show the younger girls that way."
Defensive Reshuffle and Chinese Rebuild
England enter this fixture during a period of transition, particularly in defence. For the first time under Wiegman, she must name a backline without any of Leah Williamson, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, or Millie Bright. This presents both challenge and opportunity, allowing younger players to gain valuable experience against international opposition.
This defensive reshuffle carries inherent risk when facing China's attacking threats, particularly Wang Shuang, the team's 30-year-old top scorer, and Tang Jiali. Both are among only four players in the squad with more than 50 caps, highlighting the regeneration project underway within the Chinese setup.
China's rebuild began in earnest after their failure to qualify for last year's Paris Olympics, which led to the departure of coach Shui Qingxia. Her replacement, Australian manager Ante Milicic, took over in May 2024 and has been tasked with revitalising an ageing squad while implementing a new style of play.
Traditionally, China have operated in a disciplined mid-defensive block, often conceding possession and looking to strike quickly on the counter-attack. This approach has previously caused problems for England, who have sometimes struggled against compact, transition-oriented teams. The match therefore serves as an important test of the Lionesses' development in breaking down such organised opposition.
"We want to play countries from other continents because they challenge us in different ways," explained Wiegman. "We know China is always a very disciplined team. They have a very good structure and they can play out. They also can play a little more direct. We expect that they will try to challenge us in their tactics."
While this friendly carries limited significance in the broader competitive landscape, it provides both managers with crucial insights ahead of important campaigns. China will begin their Asian Cup title defence in March, while England face Spain, Ukraine, and Iceland in their 2027 World Cup qualification group starting this spring. For both continental champions, the lessons learned at Wembley will form valuable preparation for the challenges ahead.
