England ended a ‘tough’ 2024 with a victory as they defeated Switzerland 1-0 at Bramall Lane in an international friendly.
Coming off the back of a 0-0 draw with Emma Hayes’ United States, Sarina Wiegman decided to switch things up and made 10 changes to the starting line-up and handing a debut to Laura Blindkilde Brown. Aggie Beever-Jones also made a first start for the Lionesses and was effective at the top of the pitch.
Elsewhere, Jess Park and Grace Clinton showed off their credential as they look for spots on the plane for next summer’s Euros. Park delivering a fine free kick and Clinton finishing off the move to score the only goal of the game.
In the second half, Switzerland bounced back and created plenty of chances to test Hannah Hampton in between the sticks but the goalkeeper was up to the task and kept a clean sheet. It was far from the dominant display of Wiegman’s early reign but the signs are strong that the new generation can live up to their experienced counterparts.
Relive the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
England vs Switzerland LIVE
- England defeat Switzerland 1-0 at Bramall Lane
- FT Clinton’s goal secures victory for Lionesses (ENG 1-0 SUI)
- 54’ SAVE! Hampton denies Beney (ENG 1-0 SUI)
- 8’ GOAL! Clinton turns the ball home from a free kick (ENG 1-0 SUI)
Grace Clinton strike ends Lionesses’ year with win over Switzerland
22:06 , Mike JonesGrace Clinton’s early finish proved the winner as England concluded 2024 with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a friendly at Bramall Lane.
Continuing preparations for next summer’s title defence at the Euros by taking on the team who will be hosting the tournament, a much-changed, youthful Lionesses side went in front in the eighth minute when Clinton buried the loose ball after Manchester United team-mate Millie Turner had headed against the post.
England were unable to add to that despite creating a number of chances, including debutant Laura Blindkilde Brown being denied by Swiss goalkeeper Elvira Herzog.
Grace Clinton strike ends Lionesses’ year with win over Switzerland
More from Clinton
21:51 , Mike JonesClinton told ITV4:“Everyone wants to play for their country and to do it at a tournament is what I want to do.
“I think the future is bright and they have done so well tonight. They have been around and done it in the WSL so it is nice to see them put an England shirt on.”
Karen Carney on Clinton’s goal
21:50 , Mike JonesThe ITV pundit said: “It is all about arriving in the box at the right time. She deserved it. There is definitely more to come from her. Out of the young group she is the one shining through.”
Grace Clinton reacts to England win
21:48 , Mike JonesEngland matchwinner Grace Clinton told ITV: “In international football it’s like that, very competitive. We kept them out and got the win.
“It’s always nice to get a goal for England. We should have had more, we had the chances but that’s a positive. We have plenty of players who can finish them off.
“It was amazing, the crowd were great and it was nice to play with some faces I played with when I was younger. It’s what dreams are made of.”
Full-time! England 1-0 Switzerland
21:35 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: There goes the whistle! A late attack from Georgia Stanway gets the crowd excited as she rattles the post but the result is unaffected.
The Lionesses get their win and end 2024 with a well fought for victory. Next up is the start of the European Championship preparations.
Sarina Wiegman will be pleased but will also have plenty of questions to answer before the summer.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:32 , Mike Jones90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:30 , Mike Jones88 mins: It’s better from England. The experience fo the first choice Lionesses have brought a calm and composed nature to the team and they’re controlling possession better with an eye for a second goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:26 , Mike Jones85 mins: Jess Carter has also replaced Millie Turner with England now setting themselves up with a back four to make the defence more solid for the closing minutes.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:25 , Mike Jones82 mins: The England fans are singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ the unofficial anthem of the Lionesses as they attempt to encourage England to get this win over the line.
Laure Blindkilde Brown and Aggie Beever-Jones are taken off with the match getting tight. Georgia Stanway and Jess Naz are on.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:21 , Mike Jones79 mins: Switzerland continue to hunt for an equaliser and there’s loads of pressure on England now to keep them at bay. Hannah Hampton has been supremely busy but has so far been up to the task.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:19 , Mike Jones76 mins: Turner deflects the ball away from Beney and out for a corner. The Swiss send players into the box but play the ball short. It comes back to Smilla Vallotto who then turns a pass wide of the near post.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:16 , Mike Jones73 mins: England look a little perplexed but this is a good challenge for the less experience members of the team. Switzerland have fought back well and they need to find a way to reassert some control on the game.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:12 , Mike Jones70 mins: 20 minutes to play at Bramall Lane and the crowd are trying to get England going again. This second half has not gone their way at all and they need a bit of inspiration from somewhere in the final third.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:07 , Mike Jones66 mins: Promising from Switzerland. Nadine Riesen receives the ball on the inside left and dances inside of Esme Morgan before prodding a shot towards goal.
Hannah Hampton drops towards the near post and smothers it but it’s another save she’s had to make.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:04 , Mike Jones63 mins: Ruby Mace has played well this evening but gets replaced by Keira Walsh for the closing stages. Beth Mead is also on having replaced Gabby George on the left.
England 1-0 Switzerland
21:03 , Mike Jones60 mins: Switzerland look more composed on the ball in this half and the 15 minutes since the restart have been promising for them. England need to be wary of their talents and ability if they want to get this match over the line.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:59 , Mike Jones57 mins: Close! England should be two up. Russo makes a nice run into the box and is fed by Clinton. She lays the ball back to Le Tissier who finds Beever-Jones in the middle.
The striker sets up Laura Blindkilde Brown who shoots and forces a save out of Herzog diving low to her right.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:57 , Mike Jones54 mins: Gabby George continues to prove effective on the left wing for England but can’t get on the end of a pass out to her left.
In response Switzerland boot the ball up the pitch and Millie Turner is caught on the wrong side of Iman Beney. The midfielder hodls off a challenge from Millie Bright then blazes a shot at goal that Hannah Hampton turns wide!
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:53 , Mike Jones51 mins: There’s a more energetic fervour to this half as Switzerland’s substitutions are already forcing England to defend deeper than they were in the first half.
For England Alessia Russo is on for Jess Park.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:49 , Mike Jones48 mins: Switzerland win a free kick and lift the ball into the penalty area. Grace Clinton is on head to block a volleyed effort before the ball drops to Andrade who smokes a shot of her own high and wide.
Second half! England 1-0 Switzerland
20:47 , Mike JonesThe visitors get the ball rolling again for the second half.
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
20:43 , Mike JonesHere’s a look at Grace Clinton’s opener:
⭐️ 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
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
20:39 , Mike Jones
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
20:35 , Mike JonesGrace Clinton scored her third goal for the Lionesses in just her fifth appearance for the national team. Has she booked her place on the plane for Euro 2025?
Half-time! England 1-0 Switzerland
20:31 , Mike Jones45 mins: The whistle goes to end a first half that was very much controlled by the Lionesses. Grace Clinton’s opener is the difference between the teams but Sarina Wiegman will be hoping for more in the second half.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:29 , Mike Jones42 mins: The crowd gets right behind England’s captain Millie Bright who comes forward on the left and drives the ball into the box. Her run goes on a bit too long though and she runs the ball out for a goal kick whilst trying to find a teammate to pass to.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:25 , Mike Jones39 mins: Oh hello! Switzerland get their first real chance at goal with Meriame Techoun taking a shot from range as England’s defenders back track.
It’s a decent enough strike but Hannah Hampton has no problems keeping it out.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:20 , Mike Jones36 mins: Blindkilde Brown wins a corner for the Lionesses and Le Tissier is on set piece duty once more. The wingback fizzes this one towards the near post where Beever-Jones wins the header and turns the ball wide of the target.
England are getting closer to another goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:19 , Mike Jones33 mins: Grace Clinton and Jess Park both fancy themselves to excel in the No. 10 role and are playing alongside each other in the middle of the pitch.
Switzerland have switched to a 5-4-1 formation meaning it’s more difficult to break them down. They’ll want to avoid another 6-0 hammering after their defeat to Germany.
It’s working so far.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:17 , Mike Jones30 mins: Beever-Jones is seeing more of the ball now which is good news for England as they are finding more space inside the final third.
They haven’t been able to convert that into clear cut chances though.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:12 , Mike Jones27 mins: Aggie Beever-Jones has been waiting for her moment to shine for England. She’s leading the line tonight and will want to show what she can do.
The striker leaps for an aerial ball but gives Julia Stierli a shove in the back and the canny defender goes to ground to win her team a free kick.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:11 , Mike Jones24 mins: Le Tissier whips a corner ball short to Jess Park who gives it her back with a better angle to drill a cross to the back post. Millie Bright is the target but can’t quite get enough of the ball to turn it towards goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:05 , Mike Jones21 mins: Beever-Jones is fed the ball after England’s press recovers possession high up the pitch. She can’t find space to shoot but instead manages to pass the ball across to Laura Blindkilde Brown who gives it to Gabby George.
George shoots but curls her left-footed effort wide of the near post.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:03 , Mike Jones18 mins: Sarina Wiegman has set England up with two wingbacks and a back three tonight. Gabby George is positioned on the left wing and bombs forward before swinging a cross into the Swiss penalty area.
Maya Le Tissier, the right wingback, receives the ball, brings it down then fires a shot wide of the target.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:00 , Mike Jones15 mins: Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic goes on a nice run to get the Swiss up the pitch and gets clattered by Esme Morgon resulting in a free kick for the visitors.
The set piece is sent into the far side of the box and Coumba Sow wins the header. She sends it across goal but can’t find a teammate and England manage to clear.
England 1-0 Switzerland
19:57 , Mike Jones12 mins: Close! It’s almost two for England after Maya Le Tissier brings the ball down the right side. She slips it into the feet of Jess Park who sends it to Grace Clinton on the edge of the box.
Clinton returns the ball with her first touch and Park threads a pass into the box for Aggie Beever-Jones who is just beaten to the ball by goalkeeper Elivria Herzog who lunges on top of it to stop England doubling their lead.
GOAL! England 1-0 Switzerland (Grace Clinton, 8 mins)
19:54 , Mike JonesEngland have the lead! Grace Clinton wins a free kick inside the opponents half and Jess Park steps up to take the set piece. She floats the ball into the penalty area where Millie Turner rises highest and nods the ball at goal.
Her effort strikes the post and rebounds into the middle where Clinton is first to the loose ball. She turns it home with ease and the Lionesses are in front!
England 0-0 Switzerland
19:52 , Mike Jones7 mins: Millie Bright plays a nice pass into the feet of Laura Blindkilde Brown who spins and laces a pass down the left wing for Gabby George to chase.
It’s a decent effort to get in behind but George can’t keep the ball in play.
England 0-0 Switzerland
19:50 , Mike Jones6 mins: Sydney Schertenleib receives her first touches of the ball in midfield and is immediately brought down inside her own half. Switzerland play the free kick qucikly and sweep down the right wing before sending in a fine cross.
Grace Clinton tracks back perfectly for England and wins the interception before completing a clearance out of her own box.
England 0-0 Switzerland
19:47 , Mike Jones3 mins: When Switzerland turn the ball over England’s press is very strong and sharp forcing Noelle Maritz to misplace a pass straight out of play.
The Lionesses recover possession and look to take control again.
Kick off! England 0-0 Switzerland
19:46 , Mike JonesAggie Beever-Jones gets the ball rolling in Sheffield as England’s fresh line up look to impress Sarina Wiegman tonight.
They work the ball around the back line before coming forward through Millie Bright on the left side. There’s no urgency from the Lionesses as they attempt to draw Switzerland out of a low block.
Walsh approaching landmark
19:40 , Mike JonesKeira Walsh (49 currently) could become the fourth player to make 50 appearances for England under manager Sarina Wiegman after Lauren Hemp (53), Georgia Stanway (53) and Ella Toone (51).
England vs Switzerland
19:40 , Mike JonesThe players make their way out onto the pitch at Bramall Lane. Qualification for the Euros next summer is secured now it’s all about preparing for the tournament.
The national anthems are played and kick off is up next...
Wiegman’s new approach
19:35 , Mike JonesIn their goalless draw with the USA on Saturday, England recorded their fewest shots (4) and expected goals figure (0.07) in any of their 56 games under manager Sarina Wiegman.
But, England have recorded two clean sheets in their last four games (vs. Sweden & USA), as many shutouts as they managed across their previous 10 matches across all competitions.
Switzerland’s heavy defeat
19:30 , Mike JonesSwitzerland lost 0-6 to Germany last time out, their heaviest defeat in friendly since a 0-7 defeat to the Germans in June 2022 – back then, the Swiss lost their following game after that loss, 0-4 to England.
England’s tough year
19:25 , Mike JonesEngland have won just six of their 11 games in all competitions in 2024 (drew three, lost two).
It gives them their worst win-rate (54.5%) in a calendar year when they’ve played 10+ games since 2007 (50% - Played 14, won seven, drew four, lost three).
Park on competition for places
19:20 , Mike Jones“That’s the best way a team needs to be,” said Jess Park when asked how it feels to be competing for places in the line-up. She added: “If there’s no competition, it’s not going to bring out the best in you and I think that’s the important thing.
“It’s nice to be around a lot of the younger girls that I know as well and that I’ve grown up with and played with before. That’s really nice to have them in and around camp. They kind of look to me to help them out now as well, so that’s really nice.”
Park on becoming a Lioness regular
19:15 , Mike JonesJess Park spoke about what it feels like to be brought into the national team and playing regularly for the Lionesses. She said: “I’ve learnt a lot from playing at club level and obviously, I’ve had a lot more experiences now internationally.
“I feel like I’m getting there. I’m really getting comfortable in the environment with my team-mates and coming onto the pitch and being on the pitch. I feel like it’s really progressing.
“Sustaining the attacks for a bit longer and creating them really clear-cut chances will be a really massive part in our development. I think that’s something we need to focus on.”
Sarina Wiegman happy to make England players ‘uncomfortable’ in bid to improve
19:10 , Mike JonesEngland boss Sarina Wiegman is happy to make life “uncomfortable” for her players as they attempt to force their way into her team for the Euro 2025 finals.
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson, who captained the Lionesses to European glory in 2022, admitted in the wake of Saturday’s 0-0 friendly draw with world numbers ones the United States that the last two camps had been far from comfortable.
Sarina Wiegman happy to make England players ‘uncomfortable’ in bid to improve
Swiss away form is strong
19:05 , Mike JonesSwitzerland have won three of their four away games in all competitions in 2024 (woth one defeat) after losing their final three on the road to end 2023.
England unbeaten at Bramall Lane
19:00 , Mike JonesThis will be England’s fourth game at Bramall Lane, winning each of the previous three by an aggregate score of 11-0; their most recent game at the Sheffield venue came in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, beating Sweden 4-0.
A bad omen for Switzerland
18:55 , Mike JonesSwitzerland have lost each of their three previous away games against England, losing 9-1 in April 1977, 1-0 in May 2000 and most recently 2-0 in September 2010.
Who has qualified and who is in the play-offs for Euro 2025?
18:50 , Mike JonesHere are the teams that will be playing at next summer’s tournament and will be in the draw in two weeks time:
- Switzerland (hosts)
- Spain (group winners)
- Germany (group winners)
- France (group winners)
- Italy (group winners)
- Iceland (runners-up)
- Denmark (runners-up)
- England (runners-up)
- Netherlands (runners-up)
- Portugal or Czech Republic (play-offs)
- Scotland or Finland (play-offs)
- Ukraine or Belgium (play-offs)
- Wales or Republic of Ireland (play-offs)
- Poland or Austria (play-offs)
- Northern Ireland or Norway (play-offs)
- Serbia or Sweden (play-offs)
When is Euro 2025 draw? Qualified teams, pots and how to watch
18:45 , Mike JonesEngland will be out to defend their European title as the draw for Euro 2025 is made ahead of the tournament in Switzerland next summer.
The Lionesses won their first major honour on home soil when Sarina Wiegman’s team defeated Germany at Wembley in July 2022.
The Euro 2025 draw will take place on Monday 16 December at 5pm BST (time still TBC) and the draw ceremony will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 16 teams will be drawn into four groups of four. There will be a livestream on the Uefa website.
England team changes
18:40 , Mike JonesJess Park is the only player to remain in the starting XI from the England team that lined up against the United States last weekend. Sarina Wiegman switches out 10 players with Hannah Hampton returning in goal.
England line-up
18:34 , Mike JonesHere’s how England line-up against Switzerland tonight:
Your #Lionesses to face Switzerland! 👊 pic.twitter.com/H7PDdK3DSj
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 3, 2024
Hayes on returning to England as US coach
18:30 , Mike JonesEmma Hayes left Chelsea in the summer to take up the position of head coach of the United States Women’s National Team. She returned to England last weekend for a clash with the Lionesses which ended in a goalless draw.
Hayes said: “I give everything I possibly can for a team that I really, really enjoy coaching, and I thrive, not just under pressure, but I like these opportunities, I like being in these situations. They bring out the best in me.
“You’ve got two top teams now, Sarina is an amazing coach, I thought it was a good tactical match-up, and I just enjoy coaching a high-level football match, to be honest with you. I don’t think too much about it.”
England vs Switzerland
18:25 , Mike JonesEngland are unbeaten in 11 previous meetings with Switzerland (10 wins, one draw), with the Lionesses only facing Finland (played 13, won nine, drew four) and Northern Ireland (played 12, won 12) more often without ever losing in in their entire history.
Wiegman on USA draw
18:20 , Mike JonesSarina Wiegman brushed aside suggestions from some pundits that her side were content to settle for a draw when they took on the United States last weekend.
She said: “I think we were really defending as a team, very strong. We got momentum in the second half, we did better, and of course both teams went for the win.
“So many things happened in this game, also in front of the goal, so I don’t think it was boring.
“We wanted to go for the win, but it was such a high-intensity game, you have to deal with a very good opponent, so you can’t just say, ‘Now we’re going to go and score that goal’.
“We tried, of course, to do that. We didn’t slow down to keep it 0-0. I think that was just how the game went.”
Emma Hayes admits to anthem uncertainty after facing England
18:15 , Mike JonesUnited States women’s head coach Emma Hayes admitted she initially grappled with how best to behave during ‘God Save The King’ ahead of her side’s goalless draw with England in their Wembley friendly.
The billing of London-born former Chelsea boss Hayes against England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman – arguably the best two bosses in the women’s game – had generated more buzz in the build-up than the players on the pitch, despite it being a rare encounter between the two top-ranked sides in the world.
Emma Hayes admits to anthem uncertainty after facing England
‘Switzerland will be different'
18:10 , Mike Jones“We took a lot of learnings from Saturday [against the USA] but I think tomorrow will be a different game with different challenges.”
Those were the words of Sarina Wiegman as she took the pre-match press conference yesterday ahead of tonights encounter with the Euro 2025 hosts.
The Lionesses coach added: “I do expect, first of all, that Switzerland will play in another shape and what we’ve seen from them is that they drop deeper quicker a little bit, so we expect to have the ball more.”
Wiegman looking for ‘clarity’ before Euro 2025
18:05 , Mike JonesSarina Wiegman also spoke about England’s preparations for their European title defence next summer and explained how her she is hoping for clarity ahead of the tournament.
“Before the tournament, you want clarity,” she explained, “Now, you’re trying out things and now, you want everyone to compete at the highest level – compete against opponents but also compete with each other.
“That’s what you need to become better. Of course, we’re not going to get everything right but we’re learning and it gives us information.”
Wiegman on experimenting with her squad
18:00 , Mike JonesThere has been a renewed focus, certainly in the back half of the year, from Sarina Wiegman to experiment and switch up her England squads.
While Euro 2022 was a triumph of consistent personnel playing their roles to perfection England had come to rely on they same group of players.
Wiegman has tried to change that and has brought in a new crop on young, hungry players to try and keep the Lionesses’ playing style fresh and new. It’s a work in progress.
The England coach said: “It gives opportunities for us to try out things and to play many players so absolutely, we need this game to try out these things.
“We still have seven months to go [before Euro 2025] but we want to get as much information as possible and develop our style of play and experience where we are at the moment.”
Tactical stalemate with Emma Hayes and USA offers clues to England’s future
17:55 , Mike JonesAnother night of learning for England and Sarina Wiegman, even if the only fireworks produced from the visit of Emma Hayes and the United States were those in the pre-match light show at Wembley. A blockbuster between the European champions and Olympic champions this was not; rather a reflection that both teams missed key players in attack and were using this November friendly for tactical experimentation. Seven months out from the Euros, Mary Earps admitted England are still “figuring out” how they want to play.
But after conceding four goals in their previous outing at Wembley, Wiegman’s changes were made to ensure there would be no repeat. It offered a view of a more pragmatic “mature” England, to the point that Wiegman may have been overly cautious and the Lionesses finished with just one shot on target. “I don’t remember a chance,” said Hayes. Earps said it had been a “tough year” for England and the Lionesses played like they did not want another defeat. There was restraint, that shut out the USA. “After the Germany result, we expected a reaction,” Hayes said.
Tactical stalemate with Emma Hayes and USA offers clues to England’s future
Predicting England’s starting XI
17:50 , Mike JonesHere’s how we see England lining up against the Swiss this evening:
England XI: Hampton; Le Tissier, Bright, Morgan, Greenwood; Walsh, Clinton, Park; Mead, Russo, Beever-Jones
What is the England team news?
17:45 , Mike JonesThe Lionesses have been hit by further injuries ahead of the Switzerland game, with Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby pulling out of the squad - adding to the absences of Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone.
Sarina Wiegman suggested she would “rotate a lot” against Switzerland, suggesting Hannah Hampton, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Esme Morgan could be involved while Maya Le Tissier could return from concussion.
Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Ruby Mace are uncapped but could be handed their first minutes from the bench.
How can I watch the game?
17:40 , Mike JonesEngland vs Switzerland will be shown live on ITV 4 and ITV X, with coverage beginning at 7pm. The programme will be hosted by Laura Woods with Ian Wright and Karen Carney providing punditry from the studio.
When is England vs Switzerland?
17:35 , Mike JonesThe friendly will kick off at 7:45pm on Tuesday 3 December at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
England vs Switzerland
17:30 , Mike JonesEngland close out the year with a home friendly against Switzerland in Sheffield as the Lionesses look to finish 2024 with a win.
Sarina Wiegman’s side drew 0-0 with the USA at Wembley on Saturday night, with the visit of Emma Hayes leading to a tactical stalemate in front of a crowd of over 70,000.
The European champions maintained there were improvements, particularly in defence, but there have been further injuries to attacking players ahead of the Switzerland game.
The Lionesses are building towards the defence of their European crown next summer, and will face the hosts Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
It’s their first meeting since a 4-0 win over the Swiss in June 2022, ahead of the summer where the Lionesses won the Euros.
Good evening!
13:57 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s international football action between England and Switzerland as the two teams clash at Bramall Lane.
The game is the Lionesses final outing in 2024 and they will want to go out on a high following a tricky 0-0 draw against the United States in their previous fixture.
Sarina Wiegman continues to refine her team and her tactics ahead of the European Championships next summer so expect another surprising performance from her side tonight.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the night so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 7.45pm.
