Ellie Roebuck’s late error meant England were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-player Norway as they signed off a historic year in frustrating fashion.
The Lionesses ' goalkeeper missed an 80th minute clearance, allowing Arsenal ’s Frida Maanum to level, after England had controlled the majority of the contest in Spain. Up until that point it had looked like the Lionesses were going to claim yet another victory of a fantastic 2022, a year which saw them win a first major tournament, as they looked to maintain momentum for next summer's World Cup.
A fresh looking England side took the lead when Rachel Daly continued her red-hot goalscoring form, the Aston Villa star getting her ninth goal in eleven games for both club and country this season. Daly, who played at left-back during the triumphant Euros campaign, was given her chance up-front and glanced home Chloe Kelly’s perfect cross in the 33rd minute.
England had further chances to extend their lead with Ella Toone and the impressive Kelly going close. Norway wing-back Anja Sonstevold then saw red in the 72nd minute, after a pair of cynical fouls on Nikita Parris earned two yellow cards.
That appeared to set England on course for the win until Roebuck, given the nod ahead of regular goalkeeper Mary Earps, failed to clear a long ball to give substitute Maanum an open goal. And despite applying late pressure, the Lionesses weren't able to respond with the goal that would have seen them finish 2022 with a win.
Sarina Wiegman had made five changes but the team that thrashed Japan 4-0, with Manchester United's Maya Le Tissier given a debut at right-back. But England still looked fluent in Murcia, controlling the opening 45. Parris and Lauren James both went close from distance, before Daly flicked home the breakthrough after a brilliant cross from Kelly.
Keen to have a look at her squad, the England boss introduced Katie Zelem, Esme Morgan and Georgia Stanway at the break. But Hege Riise's Norway were desperate to avoid another thrashing at the hands of the Lionesses, having lost 8-0 to them last summer in the Euros, and defended resolutely.
A Kelly effort flew just over the bar a she looked to repeat her fine finish from last Friday, with Toone then firing just wide after excellent work from full-back Niamh Charles. And when Sonstevold picked up two quickfire yellows Norway's hopes appeared over.
But Roebuck's unfortunate error gifted the equaliser - the first goal England have conceded outside the UK since Sarina Wiegman took charge. In truth it was harsh on the Manchester City stopper, who had made two excellent stops midway through the second half, firstly blocking Sophie Haug after Alex Greenwood got caught on the ball, then keeping out Guro Reiten's free-kick.
England threw everything at the Norway goal in response, with Wiegman also finding time to give Brighton's Katie Robinson a debut. But they couldn't snatch a winner, their final chance coming when substitute Alessia Russo could only head wide in injury time.
Although denied a final win of 2022 the draw extends the Lionesses unbeaten run under Wiegman to 26 games. They next meet-up in the new year taking on South Korea at Milton Keynes on February 16, in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup.
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