Substitute Jess Park’s dream debut goal for England helped the Lionesses to a comfortable 4-0 win over Japan in Murcia, Spain. Park, who only came off the bench in the 89th minute, scored a tap-in with her first touch just 79 seconds later.
Chloe Kelly had earlier fired home her first goal since the Euros final, with in-form Rachel Daly and Ella Toone also getting on the scoresheet, as England made it 25 games unbeaten under Sarina Wiegman. The Lionesses now have just one match remaining in 2022, against Norway on Tuesday, as they look to complete an unbeaten calendar year.
Here are five things we learnt from England's latest excellent display.
The kids are alright
England haven’t just become one of the best teams in the planet through only 11 players. As we saw last summer, Wiegman is aware of utilising her substitutes at the right time and how important strength in depth is.
This most recent success showed that despite the retirements of Jill Scott and Ellen White since the Euros - the England squad is still overflowing with talent. Young stars Lauren James and Ebony Salmon had to wait until the 62nd minute to get their chance but both impressed.
The duo gave England’s attack extra real energy and caused the experienced Japanese backline problems as soon as they entered the field. This culminated in both combining to tee up Ella Toone for England’s third, following a powerful burst from James.
And the pair are still only 21 - frightening.
No Bronze, Greenwood or Williamson? No problem
Much of the pre-match tactical talk focused on how England’s back four would line up with Lucy Bronze, captain Leah Williamson and Alex Greenwood all missing. But despite the absentees the Lionesses claimed yet another clean sheet, their fourth in five games since the Euros.
Wiegman switched utility player Rachel Daly to right-back, while Niamh Charles and Esme Morgan both won first starts for England in the backline. Yet despite the switches England looked as solid as ever.
Skipper for the night, Millie Bright looked on top of her game as Japan, for all their possession, struggled to create chances. And later on when they did apply some pressure Mary Earps was cool under pressure, making a series of strong catches to ensure the clean sheet was preserved.
Jess Park is here to stay
She may not have had long on the pitch but Jess Park managed to still make it a dream international debut. The substitute came on in the 89th minute and just 79 seconds later had the ball in the net.
You can’t ask for much more from a debutant. It may have been an easy finish but Park showed her willingness to impress by breaking into the box, and has pressed claims for a longer appearance against Norway on Tuesday.
She wasn't in the original squad, but it will be hard for Sarina Wiegman to leave her out next time.
“I can’t sum up my emotions, I’m a bit overwhelmed,” Park told ITV after the game. “It’s absolutely amazing and I’m honoured to have scored a goal for my country. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a little girl.”
Kelly still looks one of England’s most creative players
Chloe Kelly took full advantage of Lauren Hemp’s absence by arguably being the most impressive English player on the pitch. Every chance the Lionesses created in the first half went through the Manchester City winger, who caused the Japan defence issues throughout.
She capped off her fine display with a brilliant finish on her unfavoured left foot just after the break. It was Kelly’s first goal since ‘that’ winner against Germany in the Euros final and will done the 24-year-old's confidence the world of good.
Clearly one of England’s best technical forwards, the only issue with Kelly has been her end product and whether she can get the goals and assists to justify her selection. She may have spent the summer performing the role of super-sub but if Kelly carries on playing like this Wiegman won’t be able to leave her out the starting line-up.
Russo looking sharp
Alessia Russo has missed much of the season so far with injury, but the Manchester United forward was back in the England starting line-up in Murcia, as she looks to cement herself as the Lionesses’ first choice number nine.
Although Russo did score in United’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the WSL last weekend, the forward hasn’t played a great amount of football recently, yet to complete a full 90 minutes since her return. That didn’t happen tonight either with Wiegman withdrawing her in the 62nd minute.
But in the hour she was on the pitch Russo was bright, linking up nicely with Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly to spearhead England's attack. She will be disappointed she didn’t score after connecting with Kelly’s brilliant cross in the 25 minute, but overall this was another solid step in the right direction for Russo.
