Georgia Stanway’s hat-trick guided England to storm past China at Wembley Stadium in an 8-0 obliteration under the arch.
The Lionesses ‘Homecoming Series’ has seen England take on Brazil in Manchester, Australia in Derby, but it was finally the capital’s turn this evening as a sold-out Wembley Stadium hosted China PR.
But if there’s one way to mark your return to Wembley, it’s to put eight goals past your opponent. And that’s what England did this evening as they dismantled a struggling China PR.
The two sides hadn’t met since the 2023 World Cup where England claimed a 6-1 victory. Tonight was another example of the Lionesses prowess in play.
The packed-out crowd poured into the Wembley stands to witness the European champions taking on the Asian champions, a date that has been set since July. Before kick-off, England legend Fran Kirby walked out with this summer’s Euros trophy. She spoke about how incredible it was to see the stands full for a match at Wembley, joking: “I had my debut in Hartlepool!”
The Lineups
ENG: Moorhouse; Bronze, Charles, Walsh (C), Le Tissier, Morgan, Mead, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Hemp
CHI: Pan; Dou, L. Wang, H. Wu, Li, Shao, Chen, A. Wang, Wuri
The Action
Moments later, kick-off in front 80,000 very loud Lionesses fans. And there’s no other way to put this: England came out firing.
In only the 12th minute, Beth Mead did what she does best at Wembley. She scored in an England shirt. Lucy Bronze’s ball into the box found the Arsenal winger who slotted it past Hongyan Pan to put the home side one up.
Fired up and ready, just a minute later it was Mead again when she caught Ella Toone’s assist on the volley to double England’s lead and get her brace.
If tonight was a reminder of anything, it was how key Alessia Russo’s work rate is. She is so important for this England side. The way she held-up the ball, made pinpoint passes, and occupied China’s defenders to allow others to fill the spaces, was a masterclass in the unselfish play we are used to from Russo.
Another player, who fans were happy to see in the side again, was the recently returned from injury Lauren Hemp. The 16th minute saw her announce her comeback loudly as she arrived in perfect timing to tap in Georgia Stanway’s cross. England: three, Hemp: back. The Manchester City winger consistently found herself on the right side of 50/50s, her pace and direction just fantastic and she was instrumental for England’s fourth goal.
Hemp won the ball back from the Chinese defence and put in a pinpoint cross from the byline. Pan was able to parry it away, but instead of finding a clearance, she found Stanway’s right foot. Stanway of course, found the back of the net, slotting the ball through Pan’s legs.
As China’s evening got worse, England, and Stanway’s only improved. After a handball in the box, a lengthy VAR check ensued. The referee, Alina Pesu, pointed to the spot and there was only one woman for the job. Stalwart Stanway stepped up and calmly netted her second of the night, sending the ball right and Pan left.
At half time, it was 5-0 to the Lionesses, and they didn’t stop there.
Hemp, Mead and Esme Morgan made way at half time, as Sarina Wiegman had the freedom to switch up the eleven, bringing on Chloe Kelly, Jess Park and handing some patiently waited for minutes to Lotte Wubben-Moy.
This evening’s program contained a page detailing Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones as the Lionesses’ only hat-trick scorers at Wembley. But that changed tonight. Just seven minutes into the second half, Stanway added her name to that list. A smooth 1-2 with Toone saw the Bayern Munich midfielder with an opportunity. And she wasted no time taking her chance, bagging her first England triple and showing just how good she is.
After two assists, Toone was keen to get in on the scoring action. She capitalised on Pan’s sloppy pass out, sending a bouncing strike into the bottom corner, making it 7-0 to England. Now the Manchester United vice-captain might not have scored again, but she did get a hat-trick of assists when she nicely set up Russo, who got England’s eighth.
A strong duo on and off the pitch, Toone’s pass got Russo the goal that her hard work deserved. A VAR check for a potential Russo offside almost took away her reward, but it was checked and cleared. 8-0 to England.
74, 611 was the announced attendance, and what an evening each one of those fans had. In terms of a homecoming, 8-0 is the dream score. Kids who were attending their first game will be desperate to come back, and Wiegman will be pleased with their display.
A moment for Anna Moorhouse as well. Tonight’s England goalkeeper. She didn’t have a particularly busy evening, but a clean sheet on your international debut. What more could you want?
The final score of 8-0 meant the Lionesses recorded their biggest ever Wembley win. A big night for the fans and a stark reminder of England’s quality.
