England fly out for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday.
Sarina Wiegman’s European champions will open their campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22, and also take on Denmark and China in Group D.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the talking points surrounding the Lionesses as they head Down Under.
Those not on the planeA year on from their Euros triumph on home soil, England are certainly serious contenders for glory this summer – but it will have to be achieved without some very notable names that are missing from the squad due to injury. Those not on the plane include a sidelined trio who were key in the Euros-winning side – skipper Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, both out after suffering ACL damage, and Fran Kirby, recovering from a knee issue of her own. Other absentees are record-scorer Ellen White and 161-cap Jill Scott, who each retired after the Euros final.
Bright’s fitnessWith Williamson ruled out, fellow centre-back Bright has been named captain of the squad, but she has been building up her fitness herself after sustaining a knee injury while playing for Chelsea in March and subsequently undergoing surgery. While the 29-year-old was not involved in Saturday’s 0-0 warm-up match against Portugal at Stadium MK, she has stressed her confidence of being ready for the Haiti game. The contest in Milton Keynes saw goalkeeper Mary Earps skipper the team, while Esme Morgan and Jess Carter started in central defence, with Alex Greenwood at left-back.
StrikersA definite source of intrigue is who might spearhead England’s attack at this tournament. Last summer, when Wiegman had the same starting XI throughout the Euros, it was White, with Alessia Russo making for an impressively effective replacement from the bench. On Saturday, Women’s Super League Golden Boot winner Rachel Daly started at centre-forward, with Russo – the division’s player of the year, who has just joined Arsenal after leaving Manchester United – coming on for her at half-time. Both players were unable to net despite having a number of chances. Wiegman, who also has Bethany England to call upon as a striker, described that as having been “a little problem’” but “not a worry”.
The rest of the attackWiegman’s starting front three on Saturday also included Lauren Hemp on the left and on the right – where Mead was so potent last summer – Lauren James. Changes at the interval then saw Chloe Kelly, the matchwinner as a substitute in the Euros final, come on and exciting Chelsea 21-year-old James switch to a deeper, central position as Ella Toone came off. The attack full stop is an area of the team generating considerable interest as Wiegman ponders her selection for July 22, having said on Saturday she feels that “in some positions it’s really tight.”
PreparationFollowing the weekend’s send-off fixture, the only other match England are scheduled to play before the World Cup starts is a behind-closed-doors game against Canada on July 14. While Wiegman admitted ahead of the Portugal fixture that she would ideally have liked more warm-up game time, she described the schedule in place, with the travel involved, as “the best possible preparation we can have”, declaring herself “satisfied”, and has since said she feels England are “in a very good place”.
Motta defends Juventus talisman Vlahovic after Genoa brace
Juventus boss Thiago Motta lashed out at those criticising striker Dusan Vlahovic after he scored twice in the Bianconeri's 3-0 win over Genoa on Saturday.
Juve continued their fine start to life under Motta with a routine victory at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris, Vlahovic netting twice before Francisco Conceicao added a late third.
They have kept a clean sheet in each of their first six matches of a Serie A season for the very first time, also scoring at least twice in five of their last eight games, having done so only once in their previous eight.
Despite Juve's strong run of form, Vlahovic has attracted criticism from some quarters.
Only Christian Pulisic (six) and Marcus Thuram (five) have bettered his four goals in Serie A this term, though, with the Serbian also helping himself to a brace versus Verona.
Motta heaped praise upon Vlahovic after the win, also hailing his defensive work as he said: "No goals conceded is a team effort.
"Scoring goals starts well with [goalkeeper Mattia] Perin and not conceding goals starts with Vlahovic.
"We have a group that wants to defend to have the ball and recover it. This is very important, a team must be solid to aspire to something great."
Motta then added: "Honestly, I think you pay too much attention to a single player. He has always been very good.
"I understand the expectations and needs of a striker at this level. But as I said from the beginning, he is a positive leader who helps a lot.
"I am happy because he scored but I was also happy when he didn't. He must improve and be more connected with the team because he is an important player in many aspects of our game. He is fine and must continue to work as he is doing".
Vlahovic, who has more games with multiple goals than any other player across the last six Serie A seasons (19), said: "The most important thing is that we won and we want to continue like this.
"It's no problem, people talk. If you score you're the best, if you don't you're the worst. It's up to me to respond on the pitch and I will certainly do so.
"Sometimes there are fewer opportunities. People expect me to solve the games and that's normal, I don't run away. I always do everything 100%.
"I'm super calm and I will always give my all on the pitch. For a striker when you don't score it's difficult, but today we won and that's the only thing that matters."
Al Kholood 2-4 Al-Hilal: Koulibaly on target as champions move to summit
Al-Hilal withstood a late Al Kholood rally to move top of the Saudi Pro League following a 4-2 victory at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
The damage was done during a late first-half surge by the reigning champions, who leapfrogged Al-Ittihad to the summit of the table.
Al-Hilal broke the deadlock in the 38th minute through former Napoli and Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who finished after Renan Lodi initially struck the woodwork.
Malcom doubled the lead four minutes later, then Ali Al Bulayhi made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Former Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest defender Lodi then got in the act to make it four within three minutes of the restart.
The hosts finished the contest the stronger of the two sides with Hammam Al Hammami and a William Troost-Ekong penalty halving the deficit, but that rally could not prevent the visitors from remaining perfect after their first five games.
Data Debrief: Al-Hilal remain perfect
Al-Hilal have won each of their opening five games in a Saudi Pro League season for the third time in their history, also achieving the feat in 2010-11 and 2018-19.
Jorge Jesus' side also continued their dominant record against newly promoted clubs, having now won each of their last nine such matches.
Despite their late surge, Al Kholood suffered their third defeat of the season, though there was individual cause for celebration, as former Al-Hilal player Mohammed Jahfali came on for his 200th Saudi Pro League appearance.
International record goalscorer Sinclair to retire after NWSL season
Christine Sinclair, the all-time record goalscorer in international football, will retire at the end of the National Women’s Soccer League in November.
Sinclair, 41, has 190 goals in 331 appearances for Canada, making her the top scorer across both men's and women's football.
She has played for the NWSL's Portland Thorns since 2013, helping them to win the inaugural title that year. She added further league crowns to her collection in 2017 and 2022.
The Canadian great has had similar success with her national team, winning a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also one of three players to score at five World Cups, alongside Brazil's Marta and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sinclair retired from international football in December 2023, and will now call time on her club career.
"Portland, thank you will never be enough. Soccer has been my passion since I was four years old and it has taken me on a journey I could never have imagined," Sinclair wrote on Instagram.
"As I finish out this last ride, I want to say what a privilege it has been to represent this unique, beautiful, and passionate city that I will always call home."
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