A much-changed England Women's side concluded a turbulent 2024 with an unconvincing 1-0 friendly triumph over Switzerland Women at Bramall Lane.
Grace Clinton's eighth-minute finish settled the match in the European champions' favour, but the Rossocrociati were a team reborn in the second period after a flat opening 45 and made Sarina Wiegman's team work incredibly hard for their slender success in Sheffield.
Making nearly a full complement of changes to the XI that drew 0-0 with the USA on Saturday, Wiegman witnessed complete domination from her refreshed side in Sheffield, where Clinton took just eight minutes to fire the hosts ahead.
There was no resting on the laurels from the young Lionesses as the first half progressed, and the hosts ended the opening half with a whopping 77% possession, but they were letting themselves down in front of goal more often than not.
Wayward shooting prevented England from adding to their lead before the break, and Wiegman's side had to withstand a bit of pressure from the Euro 2025 hosts at the start of the second period, but Hannah Hampton was holding firm in goal.
Wiegman called upon some senior reinforcements from the bench to help England regain some control, but the reigning European champions found themselves mostly camped inside their own half as Switzerland huffed and puffed for the leveller.
In the end, the Rossocrociati's attacking forays were futile, although England's tepid second-half display may leave Wiegman with more questions than answers heading into 2025, when the Lionesses will have a continental crown to defend.
ENGLAND VS. SWITZERLAND HIGHLIGHTS
Grace Clinton goal vs. Switzerland (8th min, England 1-0 Switzerland)
⭐️ The future looks bright! ⭐️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 3, 2024
Grace Clinton puts England ahead inside the opening ten minutes 💥#ITVFootball | @Lionesses pic.twitter.com/aIs6USYI54
Lift-off for the Lionesses! Millie Turner is almost on the edge of the penalty area as she meets a free kick into the box, but she does brilliantly to steer a long-range header onto the post.
Switzerland goalkeeper Elvira Herzog had sprung across her line to no avail, and the rebound falls kindly for Clinton to lash home into the roof of an empty net.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - GRACE CLINTON
© Imago
Special shout-outs go to pass master Millie Bright and goalkeeper Hampton, who more than earned her clean sheet with some crucial second-half stops, but match-winner Clinton ran the show in midfield.
The 21-year-old Manchester United protege completed 85% of her passes, succeeded with three dribbles and also put in four tackles and one interception, doing her utmost to prove that the future of England's midfield is in good hands.
ENGLAND VS. SWITZERLAND MATCH STATS
Possession: England 65%-35% Switzerland
Shots: England 13-8 Switzerland
Shots on target: England 3-4 Switzerland
Corners: England 5-6 Switzerland
Fouls: England 9-5 Switzerland
WHAT NEXT?
In 13 days' time, both England and hosts Switzerland will learn their group-stage opponents for Euro 2025 when the draw is held on December 16; the Lionesses are in Pot 2 while the Rossocrociati are in Pot 1.
On the pitch, meanwhile, Wiegman's side start 2025 in League A Group 3 of the UEFA Women's Nations League against Portugal on February 21, two days after Switzerland take on Iceland in League A Group 2.
Ben Knapton
