England v China live: Lionesses ‘experiment’ as goalkeeper makes debut in Wembley friendly | OneFootball

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Wiegman ready for Lionesses' 'exciting' final fixtures of 2025

England return to Wembley for the first time since winning Euro 2025 as the Lionesses take on China in an international friendly.

Sarina Wiegman’s side bounced back to beat 10-player Australia last month after falling to a defeat to Brazil in the first of their homecoming series to close out the year.

And England will continue to prepare for the start of next year’s World Cup qualifiers, where they will be in the same group as Spain, their beaten opponents in the Euro 2025 final.

Wiegman has confirmed that she will “experiment” in the final two fixtures of the year against China and Ghana and there will be a debutant in goal after injuries to Hannah Hampton and Khiara Keating.

The Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who was part of England’s Euro 2025 squad, will finally make her England debut at the age of 30, while there has also been a recall for Ellie Roebuck 18 months after she suffered a stroke that threatened her football career.

Wiegman on China

"It's nice to play teams from different continents. We know China is always a very disciplined team. They have a very good structure," said England boss Sarina Wiegman on China and their way of playing.

"They can play out from the back but also more direct. We know they will try to challenge us in their tactics,” she added.

(Getty Images)

Chris Wilson29 November 2025 17:07

Wiegman on injuries

Sarina Wiegman says that injuries within the Lionesses squad have provided "an opportunity" for those who are "knocking on the door” to get into the squad – or starting XI – more regularly.

“We want to try out things, we want to see many players," Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It's an opportunity. These players are all used to playing in the Women's Super League and the Women's Super League is a very, very good league.

"So they're used to being challenged, they're used to playing at the highest level, they're used to playing in front of a lot of big crowds. So it's exciting and it's an opportunity,” she added.

(The FA via Getty Images)

Chris Wilson29 November 2025 16:52

Form guide

England DWDLW

The Lionesses have only lost one of their last five – with that loss coming against Brazil in a friendly last month – though they have only managed two wins in that time too, with the latest coming last time against Australia.

Before that, you have to rewind to the victorious Euros campaign for England’s other three fixtures, with the ‘draw’ to Spain of course ending in a penalty victory.

China WDLWD

The visitors have won just two of their last five, with those victories coming against Chinese Taipei and Thailand.

Their most recent result was a 0-0 draw against Japan, while that sole loss came against the USA – 3-0 back in May.

Team news

The line-ups should be announced in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...

Hannah Hampton will miss England’s final two matches of the year after she was ruled out for a “few weeks” due to a quad injury.

Lauren Hemp is back in the England squad for the first time since Euro 2025 after recovering from injury but Lauren James will remain with Chelsea as she builds her fitness following her own lay-off.

Leah Williamson, Michelle Agyemang and Alex Greenwood are also unavailable while Jess Carter will remain in the United States to recover after her involvement in the NWSL play-offs with Gotham City.

Sarina Wiegman handed forward Freya Godfrey a first senior call-up while goalkeeper Sophie Baggley, defenders Anouk Denton, Grace Fisk and Taylor Hinds and midfielder Lucia Kendal kept their places after their involvement in last month’s camp.

Kiera Walsh will captain the side while Wiegman has confirmed that she will “experiment” with the final two fixtures of the year.