The England women's national team are set to host Belgium, Italy and Korea Republic in the second edition of the Arnold Clark Cup this month with their first match against Korea Republic on Thursday evening at Stadium MK.
Last February, the Lionesses competed against three different nations in the first edition of the invitational tournament and narrowly topped the standings on goal difference to clinch the title. The opponents on that occasion were Germany, Spain and Canada as Sarina Wiegman's side tested themselves against some of the most highly-ranked countries ahead of the Euros.
As the Arnold Clark Cup is just days away, here's a look back at how the 2022 tournament unfolded and how the Lionesses were crowned champions.
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Matchday one
On matchday one, third-ranked (at the time) Germany took on Spain, who were ranked ninth in the world, at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium. After a goalless first half, Spain capitalised on a Germany mistake and Alexia Putellas scored the very first goal of the tournament.
However, a late strike from Bayern Munich forward Lea Schuller levelled the scoreline with minutes left to play. The points were ultimately shared and it was a fair result for the two teams who went on to face each other again in the group stages of the Euros a few months later.
The second match at the Riverside Stadium took place later that same evening and this time it was England up against 2021 Olympic gold medalists Canada. It was the Lionesses, though, who gained an early advantage in this encounter.
With 20 minutes gone, a corner from Fran Kirby wasn't dealt with by the Canadian backline and it fell to the feet of Millie Bright, whose strike rippled the back of the net. It wasn't without response, however, as Janine Beckie levelled the scoreline shortly into the second half and once again the points were shared with all four nations ending matchday one with a single point.
Matchday two
In their second game of the tournament, England were once again held to a draw, this time against Spain at Carrow Road. The Lionesses had their chances as Ellen White headed an attempt marginally wide in the first half and Lauren Hemp hit the woodwork early into the second.
Spain's Athenea del Castillo was named player of the match, but neither side were able to find a breakthrough and once again the points were shared.
There was a goal, however, in the later kick-off at Carrow Road between Canada and Germany. A header from Vanessa Gilles just six minutes in separated the two sides on the day and Canada moved to the top of the standings as the first team to clinch a victory.
Matchday three
It all boiled down to the final round of fixtures at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton. The early kick-off saw Canada take on Spain, Bev Priestman's needed a win to clinch the title regardless of the result in the later kick-off.
However, it was Spain who secured the result on the day as a goal from Putellas made the difference. They looked destined to lift the trophy deep into England's game against Germany as White's early goal was cancelled out by a powerful free-kick from Lina Magull.
That was, however, until the 84th minute when Bright netted her second goal of the tournament. 10 minutes later, deep into stoppage time, Kirby scored England's third of the game and ensured Wiegman's side topped the standings on goal difference ahead of Spain.
For the Lionesses, it was another huge step in the right direction ahead of the Euros that summer. They maintained their unbeaten run under Wiegman, which extended the remainder of 2022 and they'll hope to keep it going at the tournament this month before the World Cup later this year.
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