Arnold Clark Cup: England defend trophy as Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly bag braces in Belgium thrashing

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Updated 22/02/2023 at 22:06 GMT

England hammered Belgium 6-1 at Ashton Gate to finish their Arnold Clark Cup campaign in style and successfully defend the trophy they won last year. The Lionesses dominated as Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly both scored doubles, with Lucy Bronze also on the scoresheet. Sarina Wiegman's side are unbeaten in 29 matches heading towards this summer's Women's World Cup.

England clinched their second Arnold Clark Cup triumph in a row with a 6-1 thrashing of Belgium at Ashton Gate, as tournament top scorer Chloe Kelly and captain Leah Williamson both bagged braces.

Sarina Wiegman’s European champions stretched their unbeaten run to 29 games with a comfortable victory that followed wins over South Korea and Italy in the second edition of the invitational tournament on home soil.

The Lionesses have now won three consecutive trophies – their Euro 2022 win sandwiched by two Arnold Clark Cup triumphs – as they head towards this summer’s Women’s World Cup in formidable form.

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Wiegman made nine changes to the side that beat Italy, but her team quickly took the initiative in the 11th minute when Lauren James picked out Kelly, who managed to bundle home from close range.

Millie Bright headed a good chance over from a corner but England got their second before the break when captain Williamson nodded home at the back post – although there was a possible handball from Alessia Russo in the build-up.

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The Lionesses made it three four minutes into the second half when Ella Toone’s shot was spilled in front of Kelly, who tapped in for her brace to take her overall haul to a tournament-best three goals.

Belgium's misery was compounded when Julie Biesmans turned a Kelly cross into her own net to top off a miserable night for the visitors.

The drubbing wasn't over yet, though, as Bronze nodded home in the 88th minute for England's fifth to spark a late flurry of goalmouth action.

Elena Dhont smashed in a superb consolation from long range for Belgium in injury time, but the whistle had barely blown for the restart before Williamson bagged her second.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Arnold Clark Cup match between England and Belgium at Ashton Gate on February 22, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Ima

Image credit: Getty Images

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