Substitute Jess Park scored 79 seconds into her England debut to complete a comfortable victory over Japan in a friendly in Spain. Manchester City striker Park, 21, who is on loan at Everton this season, came off the bench to score a fourth goal for England with his first touch in stoppage time. Chloe Kelly had earlier scored her first goal since the Euro 2022 final, while Rachel Daly and Ella Toone also got on the scoresheet. England remain unbeaten under manager Sarina Wiegman, extending their run to 25 matches having conceded just once in their last five games. The Lionesses were tested by a technical and creative Japanese side but looked comfortable for long spells. They controlled the majority of possession, despite late pressure from Japan, and had plenty of chances to add to their tally. Manchester United striker Alessia Russo headed Kelly’s cross onto the right post early in the first half before Daly put England ahead. Kelly was a threat throughout and her deliveries from the left caused Japan problems. It was her cross that the 2011 world champions did not deal with when Daly followed in the box to coolly slide in the opener. Aston Villa forward Daley, playing as a full-back under Wiegmann, has now scored an impressive eight goals in 10 starts for club and country this season. Manchester City winger Kelly capped a strong night with Beth Meade’s cross to make it 2-0 in the second half. Toone, who signed a contract extension with Manchester United this week, headed it into the far corner for England’s third goal after tiring out substitute Ebony Salmon. But it was Park who made the biggest impact off the bench as she came over the line just seconds after being introduced. Speaking to ITV afterwards, she said: “I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment, it’s absolutely amazing and it’s a great honor to play for my country and score a goal. “I’ve dreamed of it since I was a little girl, now I’m here and it’s come true! My head is gone, I’m so happy. “I don’t think there are words to describe it. It’s just absolutely incredible.” England face Norway in their next friendly on Tuesday (19:00 GMT kick-off) in Murcia.
England make light work of Japan
Chloe Kelly is yet to score for Manchester City this season With eight months to go until the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, this was another test against varied opposition that England made light work of. Japan are often full of creativity but struggled to break out of their own half as England pressed and rushed them. Euro 2022 top scorer Mead almost scored when she won possession on the edge of Japan’s box before her shot bounced wide and Toone was kept busy, often linking up with team-mate Russo. It took a while for England to build their pace as the slow pitch and windy conditions affected their usually fluent attacking play. However, when Daly finally found the first, England imposed their dominance and Japan rarely tested goalkeeper Mary Earps. “We played a really good game – a lot of football,” coach Wiegman told ITV. “They played a formation that we didn’t have a lot against, so it was good to practice it. We’re doing well, we’re improving.” Wiegman was forced into several injury changes as captain Leah Williamson, Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze and forward Lauren Hemp were all absent through injury, but England still showed their quality in depth off the bench. Chelsea’s Lauren James came on and did well, while Salmon provided the assists for Toon and Park, the latter making her mark in front of goal. This was a test England would have expected to win and although Japan were disappointing, it was another sign of the progressive direction under Wiegman ahead of the World Cup.
Lining up
England
4-3-3 formation 1 Ear 2Daly5Bright6Morgan3Charles 8Stanway4Walsh10Toone 7Mead9Russo11Kelly
1 Ear 2 Daily 5 Bright 6 Morgan 3 Charles 8 Stanway switched for Parkat in 89′ 4Walsh Change for Zelemat in 89′ 10 Toone Sub for Parrisat in 83′ 7 Mid 9 Russian Change for Salmonat in 64′ 11 Change for Jamesat in 64′ by Kelly
Substitutes
12 James 13 Roebuck 14zelem 15Wubben-Moy 16 Tissier 17 Parris 18 Park 19 Salmon 20 Robinson 21 MacIver 22 George
Japan
4-3-3 formation 1 Yamashita 5 Miyake 4 Kumagai 3 Minami 13 Endo 2Shimizu6Nagano15Sugita 14Hasegawa10Iwabuchi7Miyazawa
1 Yamashita 5 Miyake Change for Takaradaat in 70′ 4 Kumagai 3 Minami 13 Go 2 Shimizu 6 Nagano 15 Sugita 14 Hasegawa 10 Change of Iwabuchi for Tanakaat in 58′ 7 Miyazawa Change for Fujinoat in 71′
Substitutes
8 Naomoto 9Ueki 11 Tanaka 12 Norimatsu 16 Hayashi 18 Tanaka 19 Takarada 20 Kitamura 21 Oops 22 Seike 23 Fujino
Referee: Zuzana Valentova
