England Women 1-0 Switzerland Women: Grace Clinton earns victory as Lionesses close out international calendar for 2024

Match report as Grace Clinton ensured England finished the year on a high with victory over next summer's Euros hosts; Sarina Wiegman made 10 changes from the weekend's stalemate with USA; 21-year-olds Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Ruby Mace impressed on senior debuts

By Laura Hunter

Wednesday 4 December 2024 09:52, UK

Much-changed England closed out the international fixture calendar by earning a 1-0 victory over Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland at Bramall Lane.

Sarina Wiegman named an experimental starting XI - the youngest by average age in her three-and-a-half years as Lionesses boss - in a bid to learn more about who is a good fit for next summer's tournament.

She will have liked plenty of what she saw from England's high-energy, all-action youngsters, as Grace Clinton got on the scoresheet for the third time in five appearances and Aggie Beever-Jones impressed alongside debutant Laura Blindkilde-Brown.

England's attention will now turn to the 2025 Women's Euros draw on December 16, where Wiegman's side will discover their group opponents for next summer's tournament.

The opener was scored inside eight minutes as Millie Turner - on her first England start - glanced Jess Park's free-kick against the post and Clinton reacted first to turn home the rebound.

The hosts continued to dominate but failed to convert any further chances, inviting Switzerland into the game in the second period after a series of substitutions did more harm than good to England's rhythm.

Meriame Terchoun nearly caught Hannah Hampton off her line, drawing a superb fingertip save, while Beth Mead escaped punishment for, what looked to be, a foul on Leandro Andrade inside the box.

Plenty to ponder before any final decisions are made about the configuration of next year's tournament squad, but an encouraging shake up all the same, as Clinton shone and young Ruby Mace proved a capable deputy for Keira Walsh.

Wiegman pleased with options despite 'sloppy' end

England head coach Sarina Wiegman speaking on ITV:

"I learned a lot. We played a very good first half, where we had rhythm, created chances but only scored one goal. We found spaces and overloads all the time, and second half we didn't do that. We were more sloppy, it was a much harder half.

"I don't see it as a lack of goals. We played many players, we did different things, we're trying out things. I want to score more goals but we move on and in February we go again.

"Lots of things we have to improve, but if you see now the amount of options we have, we tried some new tactics, and players are giving themselves a good chance of making the tournament next summer."

Wiegman also confirmed the intention had been for Lucy Bronze to come on in the second half but the right-back could not after being accidentally missed off the teamsheet, saying: "Unfortunately that was a human error from our side. And that's very frustrating of course, and very disappointing, because we wanted to bring her in - mainly for her. Things happen sometimes."

Analysis: Impressive Clinton impossible to overlook

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

England have a player on their hands in Grace Clinton. If there was one area of the pitch Sarina Wiegman would want more options, it is in the No 10 position. Three goals in five international appearances, having only made her debut in October, is a wonderful return, but beyond that, the connections she has formed will encourage Wiegman.

Finding pockets, exploiting space, playing on the half turn with creativity and vision - those are all huge weapons for an England team that so often faces opposition teams who favour a compact low block.

Clinton can unpick defences with a simple drop of the shoulder, or threaded pass. In this game, she won the free-kick Jess Park delivered for the goal, before applying the finish herself. She has made a case for herself, and will now be difficult to overlook as Wiegman begins assembling plans for next summer's Euros title defence.