Stanway scores hat-trick as England bag EIGHT against China | OneFootball

Georgia Stanway bagged a hat-trick as England easily thrashed China at Wembley Stadium winning 8-0.

With Hannah Hampton and Khiara Keating both out, Sarina Wiegman gave Anna Moorhouse her debut with Orlando Pride goalkeeper having the distinction of already winning the European championships with England without ever stepping onto the pitch.

There wasn't too much for Moorhouse to do though as England bagged five in the first half including three in the space of just a few minutes.

The first of England's goals came in the 12th minute when Lucy Bronze had space at the right and put in a cross that Beth Mead brought down with her left before finishing with her right. Mead was on the scoresheet again just a few minutes later this time after good play by Ella Toone on the left who found the Arsenal forward at the far post.

Fans at Wembley didn't have to wait long for a third which came in the 16th minute as Georgia Stanway put in a low ball across the face of goal that Lauren Hemp was able to convert from all of a yard out.

It was 4-0 in the 20th minute, this time a cross from the right that goalkeeper Pan Hongyan punched away but only as far as Stanway who instinctively put the ball into the corner.

The Lionesses were given a penalty in the 38th minute after VAR intervened over a handball by Li Mengwen that was perhaps harsh considering it hit the player's arm after hitting her side first. With the spot-kick given, Stanway made no mistake to make it 5-0 going into the break.

Sarina Wiegman was able to make three changes at half-time but England continued the scoring.

It was 6-0 seven minutes after the restart after a well-worked one-two between Toone and Stanway led to the Bayern Munich midfielder completing her hat-trick.

After setting up goals already, Toone got herself on the scoresheet after a mistake at the back when Wang Linlin's pass to her Hongyan was short. The goalkeeper slipped with the ball kindly landing for Toone to finish up.

Another player who deserved to be on the scoresheet was Alessia Russo and she eventually made it 8-0 in the 78th minute with Toone again providing the pass and the Arsenal striker finishing. VAR did take a long look at it for a potential offside but Russo's goal eventually stood.

In the end, this was a friendly that will no doubt boost England's confidence but against a team as poor as China despite the team being ranked 17th in the world. England have one more game to play in 2025 when they face Ghana on Tuesday.