Clinton Seals 1-0 Friendly Win For England Over Switzerland – Sport Grill

Grace Clinton’s seventh minute winner saw England beat Switzerland 1-0 in a friendly at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. 

Clinton netted her seventh-minute winner on the rebound from Millie Turner’s header ricocheting off the left post.

England ultimately clung on to finish 2024 with consecutive clean sheets as they prepare for a busy 2025, which includes their title defence at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.

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Amidst ten changes to the line-up following a goalless draw against USA, England weathered an edgy start as an early Swiss attack came to nothing.

That initial patience quickly paid off with a seventh minute free-kick, which Millie Turner nodded onto the left post and Clinton was left to roll in the rebound to put England into an early lead.

Wiegman’s Lionesses soon began to dominate possession but struggled to carve open further clear-cut chances, aside from Gabby George’s 18th minute cross which Maya Le Tissier rifled wide of the left corner.

Le Tissier saw a second chance go begging 20 minutes later after she met debutant – Laura Blindkilde Brown’s pass, only for her shot to be saved by Elvira Herzog as the Swiss dug deep to hold onto a narrow deficit at half-time.

Despite a triple half-time change, Switzerland struggled to make inroads early in the second half as England substitute, Alessia Russo nodded George’s cross wide in the 49th minute.

Hannah Hampton soon was called into action to deny Iman Beney then Nadine Riesen, amidst wasted shots from Blindkilde Brown and Clinton shortly after Beney’s 55th minute effort.

Hampton then made a crucial touch to tip Meriame Terchoun’s 78th minute chipped shot over the bar.

Off the pitch, there was an administrative mix-up with Lucy Bronze ready to come on for Millie Turner, only for her name to not be on the official team sheet and Jess Carter was substituted on instead.

England eventually clung on to finish 2024 with a pair of clean sheets and victory, amidst Herzog’s save of Georgia Stanway’s injury-time strike.

What’s Next?

England begin their Nations League campaign with a trip to Portugal on Friday 21 February, before hosting Spain in their second group game on Wednesday 26 February at Wembley Stadium.

Switzerland mean begin their Nations League A adventures at home to Iceland on 21 Feb, before visiting Norway on 25 February.

Teams

England: Hannah Hampton, Esme Morgan, Gabby George (Mead 63′), Millie Turner (Carter 84′), Millie Bright, Maya Le Tissier, Ruby Mace (Walsh 63′), Laura Blindkilde Brown (Stanway 84′), Grace Clinton, Jess Park (Russo 46′), Aggie Beever-Jones (Naz 84′)

Substitutes: Jess Carter, Mary Earps, Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead, Anna Moorhouse, Jess Naz, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy

Switzerland: Elvira Herzog, Julia Stierli, Viola Calligaris, Noelle Maritz, Lara Marti (Riesen 46′), Sydney Schertenleib (Andrade 46′), Coumba Sow (Ivelj 46′), Smilla Vallotto, Iman Beney, Meriame Terchoun, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (Xhemali 87′)

Substitutes: Larina Baumann, Alena Bienz, Nadine Bohi, Aurelie Csillag, Noemi Ivelj, Alisha Lehmann, Sandrine Mauron, Lydia Andrade, Livia Peng, Seraina Piubel, Nadine Riesen, Stephanie Waeber, Riola Xhemali