Match ends, England 5, Italy 1.
Lauren Hemp's double helped England to a routine victory over Italy in a friendly match played in Spain.
Hemp scored twice in the first half after Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy's header put England in the lead within a minute.
Italy got one back on the stroke of half-time through Michela Cambiaghi when England gave away possession.
But England continued to dominate as substitutes Ella Toone and Rachel Daly extended their lead in the second half.
It was a comfortable victory for the Lionesses to end a successful warm weather training camp in Spain, but Italy were presented some good chances from defensive errors, which manager Sarina Wiegman will be keen to wipe out.
Goalscorer Cambiaghi dragged a shot wide after Mary Earps' clearance fell straight to Sofia Cantore, and the Italian forward was gifted a chance in the first half when Niamh Charles' back pass was played straight to her.
However England, who had five changes to the side from their 7-2 win over Austria, created plenty going forward and were never in danger of losing their lead.
Hemp told ITV afterwards: "It was a very good performance. I thought we were very dominant in possession. We were unfortunate to concede.
"I've really enjoyed the camp. The squad is in a great place and we're full of confidence. It's great for us to take into the next games and the [Euro 2025] qualifiers."
The Euro 2025 qualifying draw takes place on 5 March at 12:00 GMT.
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England show attacking threat again
This was another strong attacking display to complete what England hope will be beneficial preparation for Euro 2025 qualification.
Hemp was lively again, as she was in the first half against Austria on Friday, and was rewarded with her two goals - the first a fortunate ricochet off Aurora Galli's clearance, the second a looping header.
Wubben-Moy, given a rare opportunity at centre-back, flicked in a smart header from a corner to give England an instant lead and, from that point, the Lionesses were in control.
On Wubben-Moy's first goal for England, Wiegman said: "I think she's definitely taken a step forward because she's developing a lot. That's what we see weekly at Arsenal and she shows it here too. What you can see is the competition in positions is really high."
Chloe Kelly recovered from the knock that kept her out of Friday's squad and she caused problems with her deliveries, while Grace Clinton looked at home in just her second appearance in midfield following an impressive debut against Austria.
Changes in defence no doubt played a part in some of England's needless errors but, after conceding two set-piece goals on Friday, Wiegman will be a little concerned at the ease in which Italy were able to regain possession in the opposition half.
Cambiaghi had several chances and forced a strong save from Earps after the Manchester United goalkeeper also kept out Cantore.
But England's attacking prowess was far too much for Italy as Lauren James' introduction off the bench added even more threat, which Toone and Daly took advantage of.
Toone was teed up by James for a well-placed volley in the second half, before Daly pounced on a poor backpass to round the goalkeeper and slot in England's fifth goal.
On the whole, it has been a very pleasing week for Wiegman, who has rotated players, given opportunities to England's youngsters, and has been given some indication of where her side can improve before April's Euro 2025 qualifiers.
Line-ups
England
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Earps
- 2Bronze
- 5Wubben-Moy
- 6GreenwoodSubstituted forTurnerat 80'minutes
- 3CharlesSubstituted forCarterat 45'minutes
- 8StanwaySubstituted forTooneat 64'minutes
- 4Walsh
- 10ClintonSubstituted forParkat 64'minutes
- 7KellySubstituted forDalyat 71'minutes
- 9RussoSubstituted forJamesat 45'minutes
- 11Hemp
Substitutes
- 12Carter
- 13Hampton
- 14Toone
- 15Morgan
- 16James
- 17Mead
- 18Le Tissier
- 19Daly
- 20Park
- 21Keating
- 22Turner
Italy
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Giuliani
- 3Di GuglielmoSubstituted forSerturiniat 71'minutes
- 19Lenzini
- 5Linari
- 2BergamaschiSubstituted forSalvaiat 52'minutes
- 18CarusoBooked at 73mins
- 4GalliSubstituted forSeveriniat 71'minutesBooked at 81mins
- 8CatenaSubstituted forBonfantiniat 52'minutes
- 17Boattin
- 7CantoreSubstituted forDragoniat 80'minutes
- 21CambiaghiSubstituted forGirelliat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Piga
- 9Piemonte
- 10Girelli
- 11Bonfantini
- 12Schroffenegger
- 13Bartoli
- 14Severini
- 15Serturini
- 16Dragoni
- 20Glionna
- 22Tampieri
- 23Salvai
- 24De Rita
- Referee:
- María Eugenia Gil Soriano
- Attendance:
- 650
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home69%
- Away31%
- Shots
- Home26
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home12
- Away2
- Corners
- Home8
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, England 5, Italy 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Arianna Caruso (Italy) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Agnese Bonfantini.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jessica Park (England) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Rachel Daly.
Post update
Corner, England. Conceded by Laura Giuliani.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lauren Hemp (England) header from the left side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lauren James (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lucy Bronze with a headed pass.
Post update
Foul by Keira Walsh (England).
Post update
Emma Severini (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Booking
Emma Severini (Italy) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Jess Carter (England) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Emma Severini (Italy).
Substitution
Substitution, Italy. Cristiana Girelli replaces Michela Cambiaghi.
Substitution
Substitution, Italy. Giulia Dragoni replaces Sofia Cantore.
Substitution
Substitution, England. Millie Turner replaces Alex Greenwood.
Goal!
Goal! England 5, Italy 1. Rachel Daly (England) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner.
Post update
Foul by Lauren James (England).
Post update
Annamaria Serturini (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Offside, England. Lauren James is caught offside.
Booking
Arianna Caruso (Italy) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Comments
Join the conversation
I get they are only playing against sides that, like them, didn't make the Olympics but there must be teams out there capable of providing something that resembles a bit of competition.
Superb assist by Lauren James for Toones goal.
England are an excellent team as results have shown
If they win well it's too easy, if they only win 1-0 it's not good enough apparently.
Still shaky at the back and it needs to be tighter when playing better sides or they will get punished.
Easy win - what a waste of time
Hard fought win - they should have done better, look at their resources
Defeat - they are useless
Basically the result is irrelevant, the ladies will get criticised regardless…
People question these games but you're not doing it right if you are saying that this game will have achieved nothing. First games for some of these players - she will take lessons from it all.
Buzzing for Lotte to get a start and a goal - a good way to show she deserves her place.
Also great shots on target stats.