Wow.
22 min: Walsh pops in a lovely ball to Mead, it is just too easy to crack open this China defence. The Arsenal star crosses it to Hemp, who rallies off a shot which is just wide.
20 min: The atmosphere at Wembley is crackling. The Sweet Caroline chorus and chants of England in full flow. China are managing to get more joy on the ball but the Lionesses’ defence is holding strong.
18 min: This is quickly turning into a crisis for the visitors. They need to stop England connecting and they need their own sustained possession.
China are playing with a back five but they are not adapting to this England attack at all. Far too much space given to the Lionesses and Hemp pounces, what a return from injury for the Manchester City star.
This is ludicrous.
16 min: I was just writing a post about how it would be interesting to see how China would respond to conceding. They allowed England far too much space and did not close down the attack with Mead taking full advantage. The Arsenal star is now on 39 goals for her country.
This time it is Toone who has some fabulous footwork to manoeuvre the ball to Mead who takes a one-touch finish.
What is happening.
Bronze played Mead onside in the box and she took a fantastic touch to control it and take it away from defenders. She then taps it with her right foot. A lovely piece of skill.
What a goal.
12 min: England are clicking on all fronts aside from the final attempt at goal. Bronze finds Mead who pops the ball into Russo and her header is well wide.
11 min: Wow, oh wow Russo is the spark to opening this China defence at the moment. Her forward runs are causing them nightmares as she gets into the box again but her pass is met by Qiaozhu.
9 min: So far England have been the brighter side with just one or two final touches just not coming off for the hosts.
7 min: Mead feeds the corner and Bronze is left with her arms wide as she was fouled. It goes out for another corner though so England have another crack at this. It’s another good delivery and Le Tissier gets her head to it but it’s saved.
5 min: A fabulous ball finds Russo but she snatches at her cross which blows the chance. England keep it alive and Hemp wins a corner.
4 min: The corner delivery is good but it bounces wide, China do feed it back in but Moorhouse collects to clear the danger.
3 min: China have the first real chance of the game with the ball pinballing around the box but England manage to eventually get it clear. The visitors continue to press and Bronze gives away a corner.
2 min: England start by winning a free kick with a challenge on Stanway. The Lionesses don’t rush any attack but they then lose possession. A fairly even opening exchange.
Here we go.
The lights show has happened, a concert by Self Esteem has been performed and the anthems are about to happen. This one is almost underway.
Former England star Fran Kirby, who won the Euros in 2022, has been celebrated on pitch before this clash. She walked out at Wembley and posed with a framed 77 shirt. One of the Lionesses greats.
I’d love to hear from you. I am always interested in snack chat so get in touch with that but also please hit me with your best puns. They can be football related or not, I’m just looking for the best one which I will award come the end of the game.
Earlier today the USA beat Italy in a friendly, catch up with the action here:
A great interview here with Karen Carney:
The first leg of the women’s Nations League final took place yesterday, catch up with all of the action:
Tonight’s game will be Anna Moorhouse’s debut for England. She was a part of the Euros team who won this past summer but she did not play any minutes with Hannah Hampton in the number one shirt.
Keira Walsh is captaining the Lionesses with Leah Williamson still injured. Here’s what she had to say before this clash:
The team news is in. Anna Moorhouse starts in goal for England in the absence of Hannah Hampton and Khiara Keating.
England: Moorhouse, Bronze, Charles, Walsh, Le Tissier, Morgan, Mead, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Hemp.
Bench: Hings, Baggaley, Kendall, Wubben-Moy, Beever-Jones, Kelly, Kearns, Park, Blindkilde Brown, Roebuck, Clinton, Denton, Fisk, Godfrey.
I am searching for China’s team news now, as soon as I have it I will share it.
Hello and welcome to the friendly between England and China at Wembley Stadium. The match is set to be a thriller with the European Championship holders taking on the reigning Asia Cup winners.
The home of English football is sold-out for the occasion which will see Fran Kirby celebrated pre-match after her international retirement before the Euros this past summer.
The team news will be announced shortly but there was a last minute squad update for England. On Friday Khiara Keating withdrew from the squad with a minor injury and so former number one Ellie Roebuck has been called up.
With Hannah Hampton out of action with injury it will be interesting to see who England manager Sarina Wiegman selects in goal. That news and all the other updates incoming before kick-off at 5.30pm GMT.
