Georgia Stanway hat-trick inspires biggest ever England Lionesses Wembley win vs China | OneFootball

A ruthless first half from England completely swept China away on Saturday night as the Lionesses enjoyed their biggest-ever winning margin at Wembley.

There was a celebratory mood in the air before the game. The international career of Fran Kirby was honoured as she paraded the retained European Championship trophy to a packed out stadium.

England needed little time after kick-off to showcase their dominance, with Georgia Stanway inspiring the 8-0 scoreline with a hat-trick.

England dominate China in 8-0 win

Sarina Wiegman’s European champions were relentless from the first whistle.

Alessia Russo caused early problems with surging runs down the right-hand side. Some clever cut-backs into the England box looking for a white shirt were just a shade off the mark, allowing China to clear.

But it was only a matter of time before the home side broke through. It came in empathic fashion through Beth Mead. Another marauding run from Lucy Bronze gave her a chance to cross for Mead. The Arsenal forward still had work to do, but took one touch to control brilliantly and a second to lace home past Pan Hongyan.

Straight from kick-off, England doubled the lead and Mead doubled her tally. Ella Toone checked back brilliantly to sell Jiaxing Doua a brilliant dummy. Her cross was met by Mead at the back post, who couldn’t miss from a matter of yards out.

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The floodgates had well and truly opened. Lauren Hemp finished from close range to cap off a well-worked move. The flurry of chances made it 3-0 in an instant, and it only got worse for Ante Milicic’s side.

Stanway made it four with 23 minutes played. Hemp’s cross was punched away by Hongyan and it fell for Stanway on the edge of the box for her to rifle it home.

The Bayern Munich star added a fifth just after the half hour from the spot. After a lengthy VAR check, Li Mengwen was penalised for a handball as she blocked Russo’s shot. Stanway stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and complete a scintillating first half.

England secure biggest-ever Wembley win

The half-time break saw the introduction of Chloe Kelly, Jess Park and Lotte Wubben-Moy.

There was no letup in the England onslaught, however. Stanway completed her hat-trick as she rounded off a well-worked passing move seven minutes after the restart.

The first spell of concerted Chinese pressure resulted in a couple of corners in front of their raucous fans. But Anna Moorhouse remained untested on her international debut.

If the first six goals were all a result of good play, England’s seventh was gifted to them. China attempted to play out from a goal kick and got it all wrong. Under pressure from Russo, Hongyang passed straight to Toone. A master of a spectacular Wembley goal or two, she rolled home the easiest goal she’ll ever score under The Arch.

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For all of Russo’s industry and endeavour, her night was missing a goal. She just about timed her run to stay onside and take Toone’s pass into her stride and finish low into the bottom corner. 

China’s first effort on target came with stoppage time looming. Tang Jiali broke into the box, but the former Spurs player’s shot lacked power, allowing Moorhouse to gather.

That was the last action as Milicic’s side were given a huge wake up call ahead of the defence of their Asian Cup crown in March.

For Wiegman’s Lionesses, it was a routine win ahead of their last game of the year against Ghana in Southampton on Tuesday evening. 

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