Arnold Clark Cup

Hello and welcome to The Athletic's live coverage of England women against Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup. The two teams go into the match looking to pick up ...

Italy live dangerously from a goal-kick as Linari takes a heavy touch in her own box. Italy celebrate as Cantore wheels away after believing her header has crossed the line. There are under 10 minutes remaining in the game, and England appear content to just keep possession and win their midfield duels. Zelem's delivery is looped in towards the back post and Daly is free from six yards out but heads wide. Another brilliant cross from James and Daly does brilliantly to get in front of her defender. The English defence do well to get back but there's no real danger as Serturini's effort from outside the area is scuffed wide. 90+3 England 2-1 Italy Substitute Lauren James cut inside from the right flank before her in-swinging delivery was glanced by Daly beyond Italy goalkeeper Laura Giuliani. They attempt to play an offside trap, which sends Serturini through. However, there was no goal-line technology or VAR being used and the referee’s decision to award the goal stood. 90+3' England 2-1 Italy Players are giving us some headaches."

The Italy women's national football team was established in 1968 and is governed by the Italian Football Federation. They've reached three World Cups so far in ...

At the last two European championships in 2017 and 2022, they failed to progress past the group stage on both occasions. The midfielder has 22 caps and 10 goals to her name so far for the national side. She has 78 caps and 48 goals since her debut in 2013. The furthest they've ever progressed is to the quarter-final stage, in 2019 they were knocked out by the Netherlands following a 2-0 defeat. This year, as they look to win the title for a second time, they will be up against Korea Republic, Italy and Belgium. We've taken a closer look at the opponents and the threat they could present against England.

Update from eagle-eyed Tom Garry: Before that second Rachel Daly goal, it looked like Alessia Russo was being prepared to come on.

“Playing in the nine is something I do week in, week out, so it’s a little bit more natural for me, but whatever role I’m given, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.” But so impressive was Daly’s performance yesterday – in particular her aerial prowess with two excellent headers – Sarina Wiegman has plenty to ponder. I think you guys care more about where I play than I do,” she said.

England continue their Arnold Clark Cup campaign with a match against Italy in Coventry today.

Live stream: ITVX will show the game for free online via the app and website. TV channel: The match will be broadcast for free in the UK on ITV1, with coverage starting at 2.25pm GMT for a 3.15pm kick-off. England Women vs Italy live stream: How can I watch Lionesses for FREE on TV in Arnold Clark Cup today?

The Lionesses face Italy at the Coventry Building Society Arena in the Arnold Clark Cup.

Milena Bertolini will be hoping for a response from her side against the Lionesses. [South Korea](https://www.vavel.com/en/international-football/2022/12/23/1132725-tampines-rovers-ong-yu-en-and-tanjong-pagar-unitedsfathullah-rahmat-to-have-training-stints-with-k-league-teams.html) later on in the afternoon. [South Korea](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/01/04/premier-league/1133518-spurs-emphatic-4-0-win-against-crystal-palace.html) last time out, Chelsea forward [Lauren James](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/03/27/womens-football/1065160-lauren-james-shines-as-manchester-united-women-record-victory-on-old-trafford-debut.html) has been highly talked about in the media in the last few days. [Coventry Building Society Arena.](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/11/16/championship/1129622-coventry-in-shock-takeover-as-sisu-sell-to-local-businessman.html) [Lauren James](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/03/27/womens-football/1065160-lauren-james-shines-as-manchester-united-women-record-victory-on-old-trafford-debut.html) The game is being played at the If Italy are to pick up a positive result against England today, a lot of that will be down to the performance of their goalkeeper. She could be in contention for another start against Italy after he good performance in the Lionesses' last game on Thursday. [Belgium](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/02/26/womens-football/1061165-hopefully-we-do-get-the-games-and-scheduling-frequency-that-weve-been-cravingjoe-montemurro-ahead-of-facing-aston-villa.html) when they conceded a 90th minute winner to lose the game 2-1. [Arnold Clark Cup](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/07/01/womens-football/1115820-the-spanish-womens-national-team-euro-squad-the-desire-for-success-but-a-managerial-failure.html) adventure at Coventry's The Coventry Building Society Arena later on today, as the Lionesses look to build on a convincing 4-0 win over [South Korea.](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/01/07/1133849-liverpool-2-2-wolves-reigning-champions-held-to-a-draw-as-barren-run-continues.html) [Georgia Stanway](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2021/02/24/womens-football/1060945-birmingham-women-vs-manchester-city-womens-super-league-how-to-watch-kick-off-time-team-news-predicted-line-ups-and-ones-to-watch.html) put England in front with a first half penalty, before [Chloe Kelly,](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/12/31/womens-football/1133206-womens-super-league-stars-past-and-present-among-those-named-on-the-kings-new-years-honours-list.html) [Alessia Russo](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2023/02/04/womens-football/1136734-manchester-united-vs-everton-womens-super-league-preview-gameweek-13-2023.html) and [Lauren James](https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2022/12/13/womens-football/1132041-could-chelsea-win-the-womens-champions-league.html) capped off a brilliant display by Sarina Wiegman's side. Similarly to England, it is a chance for Bertolini to try out a few different players in what will be a good test for the Italians. Kiera Walsh was left out the squad altogether on Thursday but could be in contention today, in a fairly injury free squad for Wiegman to choose from.

Arnold Clark Cup title defenders England beat Italy 2-1 in front of a record crowd at the CBS Stadium.

Lauren Hemp had countless tussles with Italian defenders and was even pulled by the neck of her shirt but was unfortunate not to be awarded a foul. Italy equalised just beyond the hour mark when the ball seemed to be out of play and got pulled back in, the ball spun from Sofia Cantore and lobbed Ellie Roebuck. But Daly put England back in front, nodding the ball low into the bottom left corner after a curling cross from Lauren James from the right with 20 minutes left on the clock.

The Lionesses have taken maximum points from their first two Arnold Clark Cup fixtures after two Rachel Daly headers were enough to beat a stubborn Italy ...

After she made an error for Norway's equaliser in her last international appearance, this was a step in the right direction. The 20-year-old was making her first start in an England shirt and immediately had the Coventry crowd excited when leaving two Italian markers for dead with a sharp turn in the third minute. It was a goal out of nothing, England had started the second half at a high tempo and looked likely to double their lead. But Roebuck got down sharply to deny Valentina Giacinti at her near post when the Roma star was clean through. But the Man City goalkeeper is a determined character and that won't stop her from doing everything she can. Seeing the likes of Maya Le Tissier and Jess Park in from the off was an interesting call and naturally, it could have led to a lack of rhythm in England's performance. It gave Italy renewed confidence but further England substitutes - notably the introduction of Lauren James and Chloe Kelly - swung momentum England's way. It keeps the battle to be England's central striker for the World Cup very much alive and although Wiegman won't purely judge her forwards on goal return, Daly's fine finish won't have done her own chances any harm. Her second header that restored the Lionesses' lead was even better, the Villa forward generating most of the power from Lauren James' cross. After Alessia Russo showed what she can do against the Koreans, today was the turn of Rachel Daly to showcase her credentials as England's number nine. Not only did Wiegman manage to give some minutes to those in the squad who needed them, but she also managed to do so while retaining her unbeaten record. The Lionesses, who wore purple wristbands to show support and solidarity with their Canadian counterparts in their ongoing dispute, weren't as dominant as they were in their opener but made it 28 games unbeaten under Sarina Wiegman.

Daly scored in the 32nd and 72nd minutes to help England secure a 2-1 win over Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup, who had levelled through Sofia Cantore.

Wiegman immediately turned to her established attackers, with Lauren James and Chloe Kelly entering the fold. While in control, the Lionesses were not at their fluid best as they tried to problem solve against a resilient Italy. Meanwhile, Nobbs was denied by the strong hand of Giuliani in goal. It was, therefore, important for the Lionesses to hit the ground running. With an opening victory safely under their belt, a much-changed England side edged to a win over Italy in the Arnold Clark Cup. It was a landmark occasion for stalwart Cristiana Girelli, who further established her status in Italian football with her 100th appearance.