England's Lionesses were at their rampaging best in the 4-0 win over Japan on Friday with Rachel Daly, Chloe Kelly, Ella Toone and debutant Jess Park all on the scoresheet.
The European champions had far too much for their Asian opponents, who struggled after Daly opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a cool finish inside the area.
Manager Sarina Wiegman made six changes from the previous game, a 0-0 draw with the Czech Republic back in October, as the Dutchwoman builds towards next summer's World Cup finals.
But who in the 23-player squad made their case and who had a night to forget?
Winners
Rachel Daly
No surprises for guessing that the England player who gained the most from Friday’s friendly was Rachel Daly. The Aston Villa star has been in fine form in the WSL so far this season but was once again asked to slot into the back four by Wiegman against Japan.
Daly didn't feature in the left-back role she had nailed down throughout the Euros, instead switching to right-back with Lucy Bronze missing. But that couldn't stop her from continuing her fine goalscoring form for the season by slotting home after Japan failed to clear a Chloe Kelly cross properly.
She has now scored eight goals in ten starts for both Villa and England in 2022-23, her latest strike the highlight of a Player of the Match performance. Daly’s dazzling display was yet more evidence that Wiegman can trust her in any position.
Chloe Kelly
Quite simply Chloe Kelly gave one of her best displays in an England shirt in Murcia. The winger was at her brilliant best, tormenting Japanese defenders and creating the Lionesses' best chances of the game.
Alessia Russo headed a perfect Kelly cross onto the post, and Daly’s goal also followed clever wing play from the Londoner. Kelly then managed to end her mini-scoring drought after the break with a first-time finish on the run following Beth Mead's cross, for her first goal since the Euros final winner.
Although she was withdrawn by Wiegman after the hour mark, Kelly’s performance can’t be ignored by her manager. With Lauren Hemp missing through injury, Kelly has made a huge claim to be England’s first-choice left winger.
Losers
Lotte Wubben-Moy
It was a tough night for Lotte Wubben-Woy who once again had to settle for sitting on the bench for 90 minutes. The Arsenal defender has stepped up in recent weeks at club level with Leah Williamson on the injury list and would have been hoping to do so for her country.
But Wiegman instead chose to give Esme Morgan the opportunity to partner stand-in captain Millie Bright at centre-back, who duly produced a confident display. The issue for Wubben-Moy is if her current form isn’t good enough for a starting XI spot, when will she get her chance?
She desperately needs a chance to show her Dutch manager what she can do and will be hoping to get a start against Norway on Tuesday night. If she does this could still be a positive international break for the 23-year-old centre-back.
Nikita Parris
Forward Nikita Parris is another player who joined the Lionesses winter camp in good form for her club. Off the back of her summer move to Manchester United, she has looked like a player reborn and scored in back-to-back games against Leicester and Everton.
But it wasn’t enough to convince Wiegman to start her against Japan, with Russo getting the nod as the central striker and traditional wide players, Beth Mead and Kelly completing the front three. Considering Russo has only just returned from injury Parris must have thought she was in with a chance of starting ahead of her clubmate.
Parris was brought on for Ella Toone late in the game, at least getting some pitch time, but with only seven minutes remaining the former-Lyon forward was unable to make her mark on the game. With fellow forwards Lauren James and Salmon both impressing off the bench it was a tough night overall for the United forward, which may not have helped her case for a starting role.
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