Luxembourg 0-10 England: Player ratings as Lionesses cruise to big win
England cruised to another big 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifying win in their 10-0 thrashing of Luxembourg, four days after beating North Macedonia 8-0.
The game was never expected to be a proper challenge for Sarina Wiegman’s team, with the night more of an opportunity for England to show a clinical and efficient side that will help them when it comes to facing higher quality opponents.
The Lionesses didn’t have to be at their best for the win, with professional players from the WSL no match for Luxembourg even at half speed.
The minnows didn’t register a single attempt at goal over the 90 minutes and saw hardly any of the ball. England, on the other hand, peppered nearly 40 shots in total, and 19 on target.
Ellen White got the ball rolling, scoring England’s first and second goals in side the opening 20 minutes. Nikita Parris made it three, before Alex Greenwood marked her 50th cap with a goal.
The centre-back was instrumental, not as a defender, but as a deep-lying play-maker, stepping into midfield with the ball and picking passes. She added a second goal in the second half.
An own goal, two headers from Millie Bright, an emotional strike from Rachel Daly and a stoppage time effort from substitute Bethany England rounded off the 10-0 scoreline.
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Mary Earps (GK) - N/A - How do you rate a goalkeeper who had absolutely nothing to do? The answer is, you can't.
Rachel Daly (RB) - 7/10 - Spent more time looking forward than back in the circumstances, but once again proved her incredible versatility. Scored an emotional goal dedicated to her late father.
Millie Bright (CB) - 8/10 - Good on the ball starting moves from the back. Scored her first two international goals with headers from set pieces.
Alex Greenwood (CB) - 9/10 - Marked her 50th cap with two goals and did most of her work stepping out of the back four to start attacks. Delivery into the box was dangerous every time.
Demi Stokes (LB) - 6/10 - As with Daly, this game was about looking forward and ensuring there were no needless mistakes, which there weren’t.
2. Midfielders
Leah Williamson (DM) - 7/10 - Controlled the flow of the game from the base of the midfield.
Fran Kirby (CM) - 8/10 - Constantly involved in creating openings for the Lionesses. Her corners were a key part of that and caused Luxembourg all kinds of problems.
Ella Toone (CM) - 6/10 - Took up good positions but couldn’t make those chances count and will be slightly frustrated.
3. Forwards
Nikita Parris (RW) - 7/10 - A threat down the right flank and in the right place at the right time to score a header from one of England’s many corners.
Ellen White (ST) - 7/10 - Clinical when chances came her way in the first half, scoring twice and edging close to the all-time Lionesses goal record.
Lauren Hemp (LW) - 7/10 - Probed down the left, particularly in the first half. Rewarded with the first assist of the game but is still waiting for her first England goal.
4. Substitutes
Bethany England (ST) - 7/10
Beth Mead (LW) - 7/10
Lotte Wubben-Moy (CB) - 6/10
Georgia Stanway (CM) - 6/10
Jill Scott (CM) - 6/10
For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!