City quartet star as England beat Switzerland | OneFootball

Four City players were in action as England finalised preparations for the upcoming Women’s European Championships with a 4-0 friendly win over Switzerland.

Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh and Lauren Hemp all started for Sarina Wiegman’s side, while Chloe Kelly was introduced on the hour as second half goals from Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, Beth England and Jill Scott sealed victory in Zurich.

The Lionesses, who have won each of their three warmup matches ahead of their tournament opener against Austria next Wednesday, will feel they should have been clear before the break.

Chelsea forward Fran Kirby was denied from close-range by an incredible stop from Seraina Friedli inside five minutes, before Hemp’s effort on goal soon after was straight at the Swiss ‘keeper.

It was Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic’s turn for heroics next as she cleared Rachel Daly’s header off the line from Greenwood’s corner after the half-hour.

And the forward almost broke the deadlock soon after when she was inches from connecting with an inviting Sandy Maendly cross at the other end.

But the Lionesses didn’t have to wait long after the break to take the lead they deserved on the balance of play, when Russo’s run in behind was found by Daly and the Manchester United striker made no mistake with a clinical header back across goal.

Greenwood was replaced by Chelsea’s Jess Carter soon after, while Kelly was also introduced to the fray in front of a new record attendance for Switzerland's national team.

And the winger almost made an instant impact when her inviting ball into the far post was met acrobatically by City teammate Hemp, but her effort was straight at Friedli.

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Coumba Sow bundled an effort wide in the following passage of play for the hosts, but Kelly and Hemp combined once again as the clock ticked over the 70-minute mark, with the latter’s exquisite scissor kick cleared off the line.

However, the Lionesses were awarded a penalty in the ensuing melee for a handball, with Stanway making no mistake from the spot to double the advantage.

The former City midfielder turned from scorer to provider soon after as the floodgates opened, with England heading home her corner through a crowd of bodies.

And a fourth would follow in stoppage time when Scott met Hemp’s cross and marked her 154th international appearance with her 26th goal.

It means England are still unbeaten under the watchful eye of Sarina Wiegman ahead of their Euro 2022 opener against Austria at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere, Khiara Keating and Ruby Mace both featured as the young Lionesses were edged out by a single goal against Sweden in their second match of the Under-19 Women’s Euros.

Elma Mehage’s early header from close-range was enough to settle the tie, despite Gemma Davies’ side squandering a number of gilt-edged chances.

Keating and Mace both started in the Czech Republic, with the former making a string of fine saves to prevent the Swedes from building on their early advantage in an enthralling first half.

In particular, the City stopper got down well to her left to deny Matilda Nilden after a swift counter.

Mace was then replaced as the half-time whistle approached in what looked like a precautionary move with the young defender in some discomfort.

But there was still enough time for Keating to palm away a teasing ball from Hannah Wijk which looked destined for the far corner of the England net.

Despite the young City stopper’s heroics, Grace Jones’ side couldn’t find a route back into the game, with Grace Clinton and Agnes Beever-Jones both seeing efforts cleared off the line.

It means qualification for the knockout stages rests on the young Lionesses’ final group match against Germany on Sunday 3 July at 19:00 (UK).

England - who beat Norway 4-1 in their tournament opener - need to simply match the Scandinavians' result against Sweden to guarantee second place thanks to their superior goal difference.