First-half goals from Leah Williamson and Grace Clinton saw England beat South Africa 2-1 in an international friendly.
Williamson on her 50th international appearance fired England ahead from Jess Naz’s 12th minute pass, which Naz collected from a left-corner delivery.
Clinton doubled their lead with a 23rd minute header from Maya Le Tissier’s pass as Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses dominated the first half.
Thembi Kgatlana reduced South Africa’s deficit in a more competitive second half with a ruthless strike from Williamson’s misplaced pass in the 55th minute.
Speaking to ITV post-match, Wiegman admitted that she expected a “more straightforward” match after the first half, but believes that they need to cut out their “sloppy” play.
“We played well in the first half, we had some stronger moments. We were a little too sloppy but we created some chances from corners. We scored a very good goal.
“Second half we got there but we were a little sloppy. They were smart on the counter-attack and it was hard for us.”
After their defensive disaster in a dramatic 4-3 loss to Germany, England immediately looked more solid and energetic as Jess Park forced Hildah Magaia into a third minute block.
England continued to press and win corners which came to little until the 12th minute, when a corner delivery found Naz who teed up Williamson to rifle the hosts ahead with a strike into the bottom-right corner.
Magaia however produced a scare just two minutes later after she pouned upon Williamson’s deflected block of a cross, but Esme Morgan crucially cleared the South African’s shot off the line.
England nevertheless continued to press against a resiliently organised South Africa defence, with their effort rewarded in the 23rd minute as Le Tissier’s cross was nodded in by Clinton.
Injuries eventually began to creep into South Africa before half-time as goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart and midfielder, Amogelang Motau both needed treatment, yet England managed to hold their lead into the break.
The hosts’ dominance eventually was broken by a poor sideway pass from Williamson which fell for Kgatlana to intercept, from which she calmly broke forward and rifled in to reduce the visitors’ deficit.
England in response made four substitutions just past the hour mark with Lucy Bronze the first to make a notable impact, as she met Chloe Kelly’s pass but her shot was blocked.
Kgatlana though proved to be problematic for England’s defence but she was offside as she smashed in from a 73rd minute shot, before she saw two further chances denied in the following five minutes.
England almost wrapped up victory in the 81st minute but substitute, Ella Toone’s volley was deflected wide, whilst Georgia Stanway volleyed over from the subsequent corner.
Lauren Hemp then nodded wide from Alex Greenwood’s 86th minute cross but the Lionesses eventually clung on for victory.
What’s Next?
England conclude 2024 with two more home friendlies as they first host Emma Hayes’ USA at Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday 30 November at 5:20pm GMT live on ITV1 in the UK.
Wiegman’s Lionesses then entertain UEFA Euro 2025 hosts, Switzerland at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, on Tuesday 3 December at 7:45pm live on ITV4.
Teams
England: Mary Earps, Maya Le Tissier, Leah Williamson (Bright 73′), Alex Greenwood, Esme Morgan (Bronze 61′), Grace Clinton (Toone 62′), Georgia Stanway, Jess Park (Kirby 62′), Beth Mead (Hemp 73′), Jess Naz (Russo 61′), Chloe Kelly
Substitutes: Lucy Bronze, Hannah Hampton, Keira Walsh, Millie Bright, Fran Kirby, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Anna Moorhouse, Jess Carter, Lucy Parker
South Africa: Kaylin Swart (Dlamini 46′), Lebohang Ramalepe, Bambanani Mbane, Tiisetso Makhubela, Karabo Dhlamini, Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Motau (Holweni 77′), Noxolo Cesane, Sinoxolo Cesane (Biyana 46′), Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana
Substitutes: Kholosa Biyana, Amanda Dlamini, Sibulele Holweni, Dineo Magagula, Nthabiseng Majiya, Nondumiso Manengela, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Nicole Michael, Nonhlnhla Mthandi, Sphumelele Shamase
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