England v China live: ‘Ruthless’ Lionesses threaten Wembley record in thumping friendly win | OneFootball

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

The Lionesses came close to equalling England’s biggest-ever win at Wembley as they thrashed China 8-0 in their first match back at the national stadium since winning Euro 2025.

Georgia Stanway scored a hat-trick for the European champions, Beth Mead netted twice and there were also goals for Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo.

Sarina Wiegman’s team were rampant from the start and scored three goals in just four first-half minutes as Mead netted a quickfire brace and Hemp then made it three. Stanway scored twice before the interval and then completed her hat-trick after the break, as Toone and Russo got in on the act against the Asian champions.

There was also a debut for Anna Moorhouse, who was part of the Euro 2025 squad, with the goalkeeper finally making her England debut at the age of 30 and keeping a clean sheet. too.

"Really nice. We want to be more ruthless and that's what we did today,” Wiegman said. "I think we started really well and they played in a different shape so we had to adapt to that. They gave us too much time of the ball and then you see when we get that time we are really good. The connections are very good and there were some good goals in there."

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Georgia Stanway treble helps England thrash China at Wembley

Georgia Stanway scored a hat-trick as England made a triumphant return to Wembley with a 8-0 thrashing of China.

Stanway’s treble, a quickfire double from Beth Mead and further goals from Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo secured a comfortable 50th win in charge for boss Sarina Wiegman.

England were playing their first match at the national stadium since they successfully defended their title at Euro 2025 in Switzerland earlier this year.

Georgia Stanway treble helps England thrash China at Wembley

Stanway’s treble, a quickfire double from Beth Mead and further goals from Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo secured a 8-0 victory.

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Chris Wilson29 November 2025 19:45

Ian Wright calls for Alessia Russo to be ‘given a break’ despite scoring in big win

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has urged England manager Sarina Wiegman, as well as Gunners counterpart Renee Slegers, to rest Alessia Russo more often after the Lionesses striker played 85 minutes of the 8-0 friendly win over China.

With a congested fixture schedule and player workload issues a hot talking point in the game, Wright said on ITV: “I was expecting Alessia Russo to come off [earlier]. She doesn't get taken off, for Arsenal and for England. I would like to see her given a bit of a break from that.”

Ian Wright calls for Lionesses star to be ‘given a break’ despite scoring in big win

Wright called for Alessia Russo to get more rest after the striker played 85 minutes of the 8-0 win over China

Chris Wilson29 November 2025 23:00

Next up

The Lionesses’ next match is their final one of a successful 2025, with Wiegman’s side taking on Ghana on 2 December.

That match kicks off at 7pm at St Mary’s, home of Championship side Southampton.

Chris Wilson29 November 2025 21:40

More from Wright

When quizzed on who will feature for England in World Cup qualifiers next year, Wright has this to say:

“I think the usual suspects will play those games.

“There will be the odd changes with the likes of Chloe Kelly or Grace Clinton but I think it will be the usual suspects who play those matches,” he added.

Chris Wilson29 November 2025 20:40

Wiegman: 'We started really well'

England boss Sarina Wiegman is understandably pleased with the result and performance.

“Well, I think we started really well and they played in a differne shape, so we had to adapt to that, that was really good, but they gave us to much time on the ball,” she explains.

“We know how we want to play, what we want to do.

On Stanway, she says: “She was enjoying herself, was really sharp. We had some conversations and she relly wanted to show that, she was really calm.”

On her subs: “I think they came on a bit late, but we wanted to speed up the game, but Lucia [Kendall] I think really understands the game. She turns forward and picks up good positions.”

Finally, she added: “We know we have a good team, players are ready to play, there’s a lot of competition. The tempo dropped a little second half, they still pressed, we had to drop a little deeper, but you can tell that we can make changes and still keep levels up.”