England 6-1 Belgium: Lionesses lift the Arnold Clark Cup and extend unbeaten run

It always felt like a formality that England would navigate through these three Arnold Clark Cup matches, such is the belief that Sarina Wiegman has instilled in this team.

Around this same time last year, the Lionesses were entering the unknown with this competition, taking on three pedigreed teams in Spain, Germany and Canada. They passed that test with two draws and one win, winning the tournament before becoming European champions in the summer.

Twelve months later the test was how England could deal with an opposition that would prepare to defend and thwart. Once again they have passed with flying colors.

A 6-1 win over Belgium saw them retain the Arnold Clark Trophy with three wins from three games.

Chloe Kelly and Leah Williamson scored two, Lucy Bronze scored one, while an own goal accounted for the other.

England lifted the Arnold Clark Cup with a comfortable 6-1 win over Belgium at Ashton Gate

Chloe Kelly opened the scoring on 12 minutes after an excellent solo run from Lauren James.

England captain Leah Williamson rose high to score a header to double England’s lead.

In truth, England not winning these games would have been a bigger story. Winning is a habit for this Wiegman team. Now there are 29 games played, 25 wins and four draws since the coach’s first game in September 2021.

With five months to go until the World Cup, Wiegman has insisted that he does not know his strongest XI. But it’s doubtful there will be much change from the team that started here. Wiegman selected the fittest players except for Rachel Daly, who now appears to be in a battle with Alessia Russo for the No. 9 spot.

England are blessed with a plethora of attacking talent, but Kelly and Lauren James are the two who have come out of this tournament with the most credit. Kelly, whose two goals saw her pick up the golden boot, was player of the match here, while James is arguably player of the tournament.

She should have put England ahead when Kelly picked her out in the box, but she could only fire over the crossbar. Unfazed by that flaw, the forward showed why she is one of the best young players in the country by responding instantly. After dodging two defenders, James sent a cross that the Belgium defense failed to parry and Kelly was able to touch the goal line.

England continued to dominate possession, but had to wait until just before half time for a second goal. Belgium were unable to clear their lines from a corner and Lucy Bronze kept the ball alive at the far post and sent in a cross that was headed in by an imposing Williamson.

Things did not improve for Belgium early in the second half when goalkeeper Nicky Evrard spilled a Georgia Stanway cross, allowing Kelly to score the second.

England could have scored more goals with Russo heading wide before Evrard pushed Ella Toone’s shot over the bar. But a fourth finally came when Julie Biesmans turned the Stanway hub into her own network.

The match ended in a frenzy with three goals in five minutes. First, Bronze took advantage of a set piece before Elena Dhont came down the other end to snuggle up in what looked like fantastic comfort. But England weren’t done yet, as Williamson scored a sixth off the last kick of the game.

Kelly got his second of the game five minutes into the second half