As the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup continue, England travelled to Latvia for their second game of the international break.
The two sides had never met before and with Latvia sitting bottom of the group with no wins from their three previous qualifying games, their meeting with the Lionesses was sure to pose a challenge for Romāns Kvačovs’ team.
The hosts’ last outing saw them suffer a 4-1 defeat at the hands of North Macedonia. England on the other hand, enjoyed a fantastic second half in their match with Northern Ireland.
The clash at Wembley saw the Lionesses ease to a 4-0 victory with the aid of a Beth Mead hat-trick.
Starting XIs
Latvia
Vaivode; Voitane, Gergeleziu, Lubina, Tumane, Miksone, Rocane, Zaicikova, Fedotova, Sevcoca, Baliceva
England
Earps; Bright, Williamson, Greenwood, Mead, Kirby, Walsh, Toone, Hemp, England, White
How it went
England immediately showed their attacking threat with several good chances coming in the opening five minutes and it wasn’t long before Sarina Wiegman’s team capitalised on an error by the Latvian defence.
Ella Toone easily slotted in a Lauren Hemp cross in the eighth minute to bag her first senior competitive England goal. Just four minutes later, the Man United star doubled her tally, with Fran Kirby bagging the assist.
The hosts found themselves penned into their own half and forced to defend wave after wave of attacks as England looked for a third.
Despite Latvia’s defensive efforts, Ellen White made it three for the visitors in the 25th minute. White’s goal marks her 44th for England, putting her just two behind the record set by Kelly Smith.
Embed from Getty ImagesA fourth goal was then swiftly added by Millie Bright as she tapped in a close finish in the 32nd minute.
Latvia’s troubles were only deepened as England were awarded a penalty five minutes later. White’s spot kick however was easily saved by Enija Anna Vivode, as was Mead’s follow up.
The second half brought four changes for the visitors and it didn’t take long for Wiegman’s team to find the back of the Latvian net again.
Mead made it five in the 55th minute, marking four goals in two games for the Arsenal forward.
Toone achieved her first senior hattrick as she bagged England’s sixth goal in the 68th minute.
Embed from Getty ImagesRachel Daly almost immediately added a seventh as she tapped the ball in following a goal line scuffle just two minutes later. Leah Williamson then opened her scoring for the evening as she made it eight to the visitors in the 79th minute.
Georgia Stanway, who had provided the assist for Williamson, then got her name on the scoresheet with an impressive strike from inside the box less than ten minutes before full-time.
Daly added the 10th and final goal seconds later as England’s relentless attack continued against a weary Latvia side.
Embed from Getty ImagesStand out player
Bagging both her first international competitive goal and senior hat-trick in the same match, Ella Toone was outstanding for the Lionesses. With two goals in the first half, Toone was a consistent threat in the England forward line.
Making her senior England debut just eight months ago, the Man United youngster has already made her impact felt on the international stage.
