England’s Lionesses ended their 2024 schedule on a high note, securing a 1-0 friendly victory over Switzerland at Bramall Lane. The win was decided by an early goal from rising star Grace Clinton, offering manager Sarina Wiegman a positive result as she tested a heavily rotated and youthful squad ahead of their European title defense next year.
A Heavily Rotated Squad on Display
Sarina Wiegman demonstrated her focus on building squad depth by making ten changes to the team that recently drew with the United States. This experimental approach provided a crucial opportunity for emerging talent to gain international experience.
Senior debuts were handed to Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown, highlighting a clear strategy to test new players in a competitive environment. The match was designed to give younger members of the squad a platform to prove their readiness for major tournaments.
Clinton’s Decisive Early Strike
Manchester United’s Grace Clinton seized her opportunity just eight minutes into the game. The 21-year-old midfielder was perfectly positioned to score from a rebound after a header from Millie Turner, putting England ahead early.
This goal marked Clinton’s third in just five international appearances, cementing her status as one of the Lionesses’ most exciting prospects. Despite further chances from players like Aggie Beever-Jones and Maya le Tissier, England could not add to their lead.
Switzerland, who are preparing to host Euro 2025, struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against a solid England defense. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was called into action to make key saves, ensuring the Lionesses maintained their clean sheet.
Wiegman Gathers Key Information
The match was the culmination of a series of friendlies designed to test new players and tactics. Wiegman confirmed this focus in her post-match comments, stating she gained “lots of information about individuals and where they are at.”
The key objectives of this experimental phase included:
- Assessing the performance of new and younger players under pressure.
- Building depth and competition for places across the squad.
- Making small adjustments to England’s style of play.
Performances from Clinton and Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, who was dynamic in attack, provided encouraging signs that the next generation is ready to step up.
Putting Recent Results in Context
This victory was a welcome boost for the Lionesses after a mixed run of results in their recent friendly matches. The win against Switzerland provided a positive end to an inconsistent year.
Here is how England’s last four friendlies played out:
| Match | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | Draw |
| 2 | Norway | Loss |
| 3 | Sweden | Loss |
| 4 | Switzerland | Win |
While there is still work to do, this result gives the team positive momentum as they look ahead to defending their European Championship title in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the winning goal for England against Switzerland?
Grace Clinton, a 21-year-old midfielder from Manchester United, scored the only goal of the match in the eighth minute. It was her third goal for the senior national team.
Why did England make so many changes to the team?
Manager Sarina Wiegman used this friendly match to experiment with her squad, test new players, and build depth. She made 10 changes to the starting lineup from the previous game.
Which players made their debut for England in this match?
Ruby Mace and Laura Blindkilde Brown both earned their first senior caps for the Lionesses during the game against Switzerland.
What is the significance of this win for the Lionesses?
The 1-0 victory provides a much-needed confidence boost after a period of inconsistent results. It also showed that the team’s young talents are capable of performing at the international level ahead of Euro 2025.
