England 0-0 Spain: Lionesses impress in second consecutive Arnold Clark Cup draw

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Matt Verri20 February 2022

England made it two draws in a row in the Arnold Clark Cup as it finished 0-0 against Spain at Carrow Road.

In what was the toughest test of the Sarina Wiegman era for the Lionesses, against a Spain side with many of the all-conquering Barcelona team, there were plenty of positives, particularly from a defensive point of view.

Lauren Hemp was denied by the woodwork seconds after the break and Nobbs also went close, but neither side could find a winning goal as it finished level. Both sides also drew their first games - England against Canada while Spain conceded a late goal to Germany.

Wiegman made nine changes to the Lionesses team that drew with Canada three days earlier, including a senior debut for 21-year-old goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

Spain dominated possession as expected, winning the ball back high up the pitch and threatening to cause the England defence problems but for much of the first half there was no end product to go with the patient build-up.

Alexis Putellas and Garcia Cordoba regularly combined well on the left, with the latter cutting inside and curling an effort straight at Hampton.

Ellen White, captain for the Lionesses, flicked Beth Mead’s cross wide, as England’s offered very little going forward but their impressive defensive effort got them to the break level.

Hemp was introduced at the start of the second-half and within 30 seconds she rattled an effort off the inside of the post after pouncing on a loose pass. White was then very nearly played clean through by Mead, but Mapi Leon produced a brilliant challenge to stop the striker getting away.

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Nobbs then made a great run from deep as she found herself in behind, but the Arsenal midfielder dragged her effort wide of the far post.

Spain should have taken the lead themselves on the hour mark, as a cross felt to Garcia completely unmarked at the back post but she hammered an effort wide.

White again was unable to find the space the burst clear of the defence when she get on the end of a through ball, as the Spanish shirts quickly got back to crowd her out.

Both sides had promising moments late one but the required final ball was lacking, as England’s unbeaten run under Wiegman continued with an entertaining goalless draw.

England will face Germany in their final match at Molineux next Wednesday.

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