England vs South Korea LIVE: Arnold Clark Cup result, final score and reaction as Lionesses storm to victory

Sarina Wiegman wants to use the Arnold Clark Cup as preparation for this summer’s World Cup. She hopes to use these three games to look at new players, try out new formations, and work out plans as she attempts to turn the European Champions into World Champions. Based on tonight’s performance Wiegman’s conclusion must be that England have really, really good players.

South Korea were able opponents throughout the first half. Setting up in a low block and making it difficult for England to break them down. The Lionesses started slow, they were sluggish, and lacked creativity in the face of steadfast opponents with the sole exception being Lauren James.

Picked to partner Alessia Russo up top, James provided pace, power, and drive to work England up the pitch and get within range of the target. It was she who won England’s first half penalty – ably despatched by Georgia Stanway – and sent the Lionesses into the break with a slender lead.

Her teammates decided to match her levels in the second half. Russo and Chloe Kelly both netting within five minutes of each other to put the match beyond their Korean opponents. The game became an exhibition and England came alive. They passed the ball with speed, guile, and confidence, took shots from all areas of the pitch, and put on a second half show for the fans inside the Stadium MK.

To cap off an impressive night, James arrived on the end of a Lucy Bronze cross and slotted home a side-footed strike to the bottom corner to score her first ever international goal.

Relive the action from England’s opening match versus South Korea:

England vs South Korea

• England defeat South Korea 4-0 in Arnold Clark Cup opener

• England won the 2022 edition, this year’s tournament sees the hosts take on Belgium, Italy and South Korea

• 78’ GOAL! - James opens her Lioness tally with lovely strike (ENG 4-0 KOR)

• 50’ GOAL! - Russo adds a third with a chipped finish (ENG 3-0 KOR)

• 46’ GOAL! - Kelly doubles lead 16 seconds after restart (ENG 2-0 KOR)

• 40’ GOAL! - Stanway converts her penalty (ENG 1-0 KOR)

• 38’ POST! - Russo’s strike rebound off the upright (ENG 0-0 KOR)

• 24’ SHOT! - James’ run and shot forces Kim J into a low save (ENG 0-0 KOR)

• 15’ SAVE! - Toone’s driving effort kept out by Kim J (ENG 0-0 KOR)

FT England 4-0 South Korea

21:56 , Michael Jones

The Lionesses have not lost in 674 days.

They had 32 attempts to score tonight with 12 of them on target.

The European Champions are back with a bang.

FT England 4-0 South Korea

21:52 , Michael Jones

England were never in any danger of losing that match. Even when they started slow they were in control of the game and once the first goal went in the Lionesses grew increasingly more confident.

Sarina Wiegman now has a streak of 27 games unbeaten. She’s never lost when taking charge of the Lionesses.

Full-time: England 4-0 South Korea

21:43 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: It’s a winning start for England in the Arnold Clark Cup. They’ve demolished South Korea in their opening match, racking up four goals without reply and getting back into the rhythm that helped them become European Champions.

Georgia Stanway, Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Lauren James all bagged goals but there could easily have been two or three more scorers in the team tonight.

Sarina Wiegman will realise that she has a special group on her hands and there are options all over the pitch. This could be a very good year for the Lionesses indeed.

England 4-0 South Korea

21:36 , Michael Jones

90 mins: Four minutes of stoppage time to play.

England 4-0 South Korea

21:36 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Couple of changes for South Korea.

Hong Hye-ji and Son Hwa-yeon make way for Jang Yu-bin and Chun Ga-ram.

England 4-0 South Korea

21:32 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Leah Williamson fancies a goal and lets fly from the edge of the box as the ball is whipped over to her. She strikes it well but sends the effort straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

England 4-0 South Korea

21:29 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes now and England are pushing for more goals. Everyone on the pitch wants to impress Sarina Wiegman and stake a claim to be included in the World Cup squad later this year.

Will there be more goals before the end of the match?

GOAL! England 4-0 South Korea (James, 78’)⚽️

21:25 , Michael Jones

78 mins: A midfield tussle sees the ball comes loose and roll to Lauren James. She feeds the ball to Ella Toone who carries it to the edge of the box before giving it to Lucy Bronze on the right.

Bronze’s square ball takes a deflection and drops to the arriving James who controls with her first touch before drilling her second into the back of the net!

That’s her first ever international goal, she’s off the mark for the Lionesses.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:22 , Michael Jones

75 mins: 15 minutes to play at the Stadium MK and England have a dominant and comfortable lead. They’re going to win their Arnold Clark Cup opener and join Belgium on three points after they defeated Italy in the earlier kick off.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:19 , Michael Jones

72 mins: Rachel Daly - so often playing as a left-back for England - is given the opportunity to lead the line tonight after her exceptional goal scoring record for Aston Villa this season.

Ella Toone slips a pass into the box for her and she breaks through the lines before having her shot deflected behind by Lim Seon-Joo.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:14 , Michael Jones

69 mins: Georgia Stanway’s night is also over. She is replaced with midfielder Laura Coombs who is making her first appearance for England in nine years.

Her recall comes after a stellar WSL for Manchester City.

South Korea transition the ball well between the lines as England look to regain their shape following all the substitutions. Lee finds Son who spins towards goal and curls a long-range effort over the crossbar.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:11 , Michael Jones

66 mins: The England boss replaces three players. Goalscorers Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo are replaced with Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly whilst Niamh Charles comes on for Alex Greenwood.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:10 , Michael Jones

Sarina Wiegman is readying a few changes and it looks as though Alessia Russo is going to make way. Here’s a look at her goal, and England’s third.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:09 , Michael Jones

63 mins: Off the bar! England take short corner kick that Alex Greenwood gives to Ella Toone. Toone knocks it back to Greenwood who slides the ball into the box for Georgia Stanway.

Stanway shoots and smokes her effort onto the crossbar!

England 3-0 South Korea

21:07 , Michael Jones

60 mins: Close! That’s a glorious pass from Ella Toone who collects it on the inside left channel before threading a lovely ball into the box for Chloe Kelly.

Kelly takes over and drills one towards the far corner but gets the angle slightly wrong and sends it wide.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:04 , Michael Jones

56 mins: Georgia Stanway gives away a free kick that Lee floats into the box. The visitors win the initial ball but the knockdown is cleared from inside the six-yard area.

Lauren James takes control of the cleared ball and storms up the pitch. She holds off the nearest defender before getting taken out and winning a free kick.

England 3-0 South Korea

21:00 , Michael Jones

53 mins: England are flying now. South Korea’s compact and solid shape from the first half has started to fracture and their are spaces opening up across the pitch.

Georgia Stanway takes the ball forward and hits one from range but goalkeeper Kim Jun-Mi gets safely in behind it.

GOAL! England 3-0 South Korea (Russo, 50’)⚽️

20:56 , Michael Jones

50 mins: Already England are moving the ball quicker and look more threatening. This always seems to happen when they have a comfortable lead.

Another one! Lauren James’ deep cross comes over to Alex Greenwood on the left wing. Greenwood shifts the ball around the nearest defender then chips it into the six-yard box.

Alessia Russo lunges at the ball, gets there first and lifts it over the goalkeeper to add a third for England.

GOAL! England 2-0 South Korea (Kelly, 46’)⚽️

20:53 , Michael Jones

46 mins: There it is! 16 seconds after the restart Chloe Kelly increases England’s lead. The Lionesses drive down the left wing and play the ball inside.

Kelly takes it up on the edge of the box, lets fly and has her effort deflected over the head of Kim Jung-Mi to double England’s tally.

Second half: England 1-0 South Korea

20:51 , Michael Jones

Sarina Wiegman makes a change at the break and introduces Katie Zelem in place of Jess Carter. That’s a more aggressive move and Wiegman will want add to their lead.

HT England 1-0 South Korea

20:46 , Michael Jones

Lauren James has been England’s best player in that first half. She’s carried the ball well, passed it brilliantly and wasn’t afraid to shoot.

She won the penalty and linked-up play expertly. It’s only her third international cap.

HT England 1-0 South Korea

20:42 , Michael Jones

Half-time: England 1-0 South Korea

20:34 , Michael Jones

45+3 mins: A testing and patient half for England sees them head into the break with a slender lead after a lovely run from Lauren James resulted in a penalty kick that Georgia Stanway blasted home just before half-time.

South Korea set up with a low block to keep England quiet but now they’ll have to change things up if they want to get back into the game in the second half.

England 1-0 South Korea

20:32 , Michael Jones

45 mins: There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. South Korea have opened up slightly and are pushing more players up the pitch.

It’s nothing drastic but it is a response to going behind.

England 1-0 South Korea

20:30 , Michael Jones

43 mins: England look to put the foot down with a sharp move that sees them breeze through the lines and get up the pitch. Russo holds it up before finding James who gives it to Bronze out wide.

Her cross is blocked but the ball bounces out for a corner.

GOAL! England 1-0 South Korea (Stanway, 40’)⚽️

20:28 , Michael Jones

40 mins: Pick that one out! Georgia Stanway sends England in front with a powerful strike from the penalty spot!

Penalty to England!

20:26 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Lauren James’ tricky footwork takes the ball into the penalty area once again and she’s clipped by Jang Selgi before going to ground.

England win a spot kick and have the chance to go in front.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:25 , Michael Jones

38 mins: Off the post! That would have been a fantastic goal. Lauren James takes the ball and shuffles into the box. She leaves it to Alessia Russo who spins and smokes a fine shot across goal that strikes the inside of the far post and bounces away!

England 0-0 South Korea

20:23 , Michael Jones

36 mins: England have already notched up 11 shots but only three of them have been on target. Lucy Bronze and Lee Geum-Min collide in a 50/50 challenge and the South Korean defender yells out in pain as she hits the deck.

It looks as though she’s done something to her shoulder but the physios are called on to check her out.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:19 , Michael Jones

33 mins: There’s a little bit of encouragement for Millie Bright as she receives the ball outside the Korean penalty area. That’s all she needs to take a shot but hooks it wide of the left-hand post.

Bright finished as the joint top scorer in last season’s Arnold Clark Cup so she’s not shy in front of goal.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:17 , Michael Jones

30 mins: England look a bit leggy. Only occasionally are they moving the ball with pace and gusto to trouble the backline. Alex Greenwood gets forward with an overlapping run and wins the Lionesses a corner.

She then lofts the set piece into the space near the front post where Georgia Stanway arrives and nods the ball over the top of goal!

England 0-0 South Korea

20:15 , Michael Jones

Tonight’s game sees Lucy Bronze collect her 100th cap for England and she was presented a commemorative shirt to celebrate that achievement before kick off.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:14 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Oh no! Chloe Kelly gets it all wrong after a series of one-touch passes gets her into the penalty area. She shoots but skews her effort well wide of the target.

Lauren James keeps it alive on the opposite wing but her cross back in towards Alessia Russo is cleared away.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:10 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Chance! Lauren James receives the ball on the inside left channel and darts inside before carrying it into the box. She’s got four defenders around her but pokes a shot at goal and forces Kim J into a low stop.

The ball comes loose but bobbles wide of Alessia Russo who can’t reach it to tap it home.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:08 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Shot! Ella Toone brings the ball down the left wing and gives it to Lauren James. She has her back to goal and whips a cross field pass over to Lucy Bronze.

Bronze has time and space to get off a shot but smokes her effort from range high and wide.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:06 , Michael Jones

18 mins: There’s no way out for South Korea. They’re defending well enough but when they win back possession they don’t have many options forward to get the ball clear allowing England to regain it quickly.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:03 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Close! That’s a lovely move from England. Chloe Kelly shifts the ball into the box and sends it to Georgia Stanway. She lays it off to Ella Toone who strikes one at goal and forces Ki Jungmi into a diving stop to her left.

England 0-0 South Korea

20:00 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Son takes control of an early forward pass and draws Jess Carter into making the foul. South Korea then pump the ball towards England’s penalty area but it’s recovered by the Lionesses who sweep quickly up the pitch.

The visitors are back in their low defensive block and England have to think about how to break them down.

England 0-0 South Korea

19:56 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Son Hwa-Yeon has been shown an early yellow card and will have to keep herself in check from the rest of this match.

Leah Williamson - playing in midfield again tonight - threads the ball up to Lauren James but she’s closed down quickly and can’t find a pass for Alessia Russo in the box.

England 0-0 South Korea

19:52 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Shot! Korea are quick on the counter and their wingbacks will fly up the pitch. Choo Hyojoo does just that on the right side and is fed the ball with space to run into.

She comes inside, takes on Alex Greenwood then curls a left-footed shot straight into the arms of Mary Earps.

Good start to the game this.

England 0-0 South Korea

19:50 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Chance! South Korea have settled in with a back five and look prepared to defend against the attacking threat of the Lionesses.

Georgia Stanway evades a tackle on the edge of the box before slipping the ball to Lauren James. She shoots and blazes her first effort wide of the far post!

Kick off: England 0-0 South Korea

19:46 , Michael Jones

There was a moments silence before kick off for the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. When the game does start, England take the knee to say no to discrimination before the Lionesses get the match underway at the Stadium MK.

England vs South Korea

19:41 , Michael Jones

Sarina Wiegman makes six changes to the England side who drew with Norway in November.

Captain Leah Williamson returns and lines up in midfield with regular Keira Walsh out through illness. Jess Carter comes into defence with goalkeeper Mary Earps and full-back Lucy Bronze returning.

Alessia Russo starts up front, with Lauren James getting the nod ahead of Lauren Hemp.

England vs South Korea

19:37 , Michael Jones

Since Wiegman’s first game in charge in September 2021, defender Millie Bright has played the most minutes (2,075), completed the most passes (1,660), made the most interceptions (37), headed clearances (37), won the most aerial duels (54) and blocked the joint most shots on target (7) of any England player.

Her last two goals were also scored in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup, against Canada and Germany.

Williamson on returning to the team

19:32 , Michael Jones

England’s captain, Leah Williamson, spoke about what it feels like to return to the national team.

"On a personal note I’m very happy to be back with the team,” she said, “But for everyone it seems like such a long time from November to February and a lot has happened and a lot’s changed so it’s good to come back together and reconnect.

"The more time we spend together, the more we connect which we saw last summer so it’s good to be back.

"Last year, winning [the Arnold Clark Cup] was important for us and the nature of how we won the final game directly translated to what we had to do in the Euros so it’s no coincidence.

"But the best thing about last year was how much we learnt about ourselves and we needed to see where we could grow as a team before the tournament and that’s what I’m looking forward to this time.”

Super sub

19:27 , Michael Jones

Despite only starting eight games and playing 988 minutes, Ella Toone was directly involved in 15 goals for England during 2022 (nine goals, six assists), second only to Beth Mead (23) for goals and assists during the previous calendar year.

Toone either scored or assisted every 66 minutes during 2022.

Wiegman on facing South Korea

19:22 , Michael Jones

"I think it’s very good to play Korea Republic because it’s another culture and continent and that brings a lot of things so it’s really good to play an opponent like that,” said England boss, Sarina Wiegman.

"I think Italy has grown as a team very much. They’re playing different styles of play, which is very good for us to play against.

"And Belgium, as we saw in the Euros did very well and just lost against Sweden, so they’re good opponents who are really improving in their game.”

Roaring Lionesses

19:17 , Michael Jones

During England’s 26-game unbeaten run, the Lionesses have had 478 more shots than their opponents in that time (633 shots, 155 faced).

Only two teams have managed to have more efforts at goal than they have in a game – Spain (twice in February and July 2022) and Germany (July 2022).

How did England fare in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup?

19:12 , Michael Jones

England were victorious in the 2022 Arnold Clark Cup, topping the group on goal difference ahead of Spain with five points (One win, two draws).

Their two draws – against Canada and Spain – during the tournament are 50 per cent of the games they’ve failed to win under Wiegman (also draws against Czech Republic and Norway in October and November last year respectively).

Arnold Clark Cup great preparation for World Cup

19:07 , Michael Jones

England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman says that the Arnold Clark Cup is brilliant preparation for this summer’s World Cup and is the perfect chance to take a look at players on the fringes of her squad.

"What we want to take from this tournament is to get ready for 22 July so it’s preparation for the World Cup,” said Wiegman, "We have three games, so that’s lots of opportunities to see players and lots of combinations against good opponents.

"I think every camp is important to see where each player is at in this moment with a couple of months to go.

"This tournament will give us lots of information but there’s still many games to play for teams, and then we have April and some more matches and then we have to make a decision.

"So it’s good to have this opportunity and so many minutes with the players this week.”

England vs South Korea

19:03 , Michael Jones

South Korea are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions (with three wins and two draws) since suffering a 2-1 defeat to Japan in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship in July 2022.

Will they shock England tonight?

England vs South Korea

18:59 , Michael Jones

England are unbeaten in all 26 of their games in all competitions under Sarina Wiegman (22 wins, four draws).

They’ve scored 125 goals and conceding just seven in that run and have never conceded more than once in a game under Wiegman.

England vs South Korea

18:55 , Michael Jones

This will be the first meeting between England and Korea Republic on English soil, with the previous two meetings coming in Suwon in Korea Republic and Achna in Cyprus.

It’s England’s first game at Stadium MK since April 2017, a 3-0 win over Austria.

England vs South Korea

18:51 , Michael Jones

England have faced Korea Republic twice previously and are unbeaten in both, keeping two clean sheets with one victory and one draw.

That win came in March 2011 in the Cyprus Cup, a 2-0 victory with both goals scored by Sue Smith.

England line-up to take on South Korea

18:47 , Michael Jones

England: Earps; Bronze, Greenwood, Bright; Williamson, Stanway, Carter; Kelly, Toone, James; Russo.

South Korea: Kim J, Choo, Kim H, Lim, Jang, Lee, Kim Y, Hong, Kang, Son, Choe

England will ‘continue to fight’ for inclusivity in football, says Leah Williamson

18:40 , Michael Jones

England captain Leah Williamson has spoken of the squad’s commitment to promoting inclusivity ahead of wearing the ‘OneLove’ armband at this month’s Arnold Clark Cup.

Williamson referred to Czech Republic international Jakub Jankto this week announcing he is gay as she stressed the importance of “standing in solidarity”.

Regarding the anti-discrimination armband, Williamson told a press conference on Wednesday: “We’re never shy in saying what we stand for. We’re a squad that promotes inclusivity, equality, we obviously have a number of people that feel very strongly about it. I think it’s not even a question for us really.”

England will ‘continue to fight’ for inclusivity in football, says Williamson

Arnold Clark Cup talking points

18:36 , Michael Jones

The opposition

Last year’s Arnold Clark Cup pitted England, currently fourth in FIFA’s world rankings, against three other top-10 teams.

This time they take on sides in a slightly lower bracket, with South Korea, Italy and Belgium lying 15th, 17th and 20th respectively.

South Korea, managed by Englishman Colin Bell, were runners-up at last year’s Asian Cup, while Italy made a Euro 2022 group-stage exit and Belgium reached the quarter-finals.

Arnold Clark Cup talking points

18:32 , Michael Jones

Notable returns

The squad for the tournament announced last week has a number of players back in after injury, including skipper Leah Williamson, who missed the games in October and November due to a foot problem.

There is also a recall for fellow defender Jess Carter, another member of the Euro 2022-winning squad, and for two-cap midfielder Laura Coombs, having not been in the fold since 2020 and last played for England in 2015.

Emily Ramsey has received her first senior call-up as one of four goalkeepers in the group.

Arnold Clark Cup talking points

18:28 , Michael Jones

Late inclusion for Nobbs but no England

Jordan Nobbs, who moved from Arsenal to Aston Villa in January and is eyeing the summer’s World Cup after missing both the last edition and Euro 2022 following injuries, was initially left out of this Arnold Clark Cup squad.

But the 30-year-old midfielder was subsequently brought in by Wiegman at the weekend as Fran Kirby withdrew due to a knee issue – and Nobbs looked in the mood to impress on Sunday as she notched a hat-trick in Villa’s 6-2 win at Brighton.

There is no place for Bethany England despite scoring goals since her January move from Chelsea to Tottenham, and fellow Euros-winning forward Nikita Parris has also been omitted. Beth Mead is out due to the ACL injury she suffered in November.

Arnold Clark Cup talking points

18:24 , Michael Jones

Defending champions

The Arnold Clark Cup has served England well before – they won the inaugural edition this time last year after a 1-1 draw with Canada at the Riverside Stadium, 0-0 draw with Spain at Carrow Road and 3-1 victory over Germany at Molineux, and Sarina Wiegman has spoken about the boost that provided in terms of momentum and confidence ahead of the Euros.

The cup defence sees them follow the South Korea match with games against Italy in Coventry on Sunday and then Belgium in Bristol three days later.

Arnold Clark Cup talking points

18:20 , Michael Jones

Still unbeaten

England begin the calendar year having gone without defeat across the whole of 2022, extending a run that started when Sarina Wiegman took charge in September 2021.

It is currently 26 games under the Dutchwoman with 22 wins, two of which were secured in extra-time – the quarter-final and final of the triumphant run at the home Euros in July.

The Lionesses are now building towards the World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand this summer, where they will look to take the success achieved in Wiegman’s tenure to even greater heights.

England’s road to World Cup glory begins with Arnold Clark Cup return

18:16 , Michael Jones

England were in trouble, as teams often are when their centre-back is thrown forward into the box in the dying moments, wheeled into place as a makeshift striker. And yet, even as the Lionesses were ten minutes away from being knocked out of the Euros, trailing Spain on a stuffy July night in Brighton, Sarina Wiegman had prepared for that exact scenario.

It’s a plan that managers don’t really want to use, a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ situation, and when Millie Bright was given the signal it was an admission that things had gone wrong. But England had been there before: rewind five months and Bright had been hauled forward in the final match of the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup, as the Lionesses chased the late goal they needed to beat Spain to the title.

It was in the 84th minute when Bright struck against Germany to give England the lead and, from there, their first trophy under Wiegman. It was almost in the same minute later that year when Ella Toone rescued the Lionesses against Spain at the Euros. And there was Bright in the box again, glass shattered on the floor, being a presence and creating a panic, just as the defender had done against Germany at Molineux.

England’s road to World Cup glory begins with Arnold Clark Cup return

Arnold Clark Cup fixtures

18:12 , Michael Jones

Thursday 16 February - Stadium MK, Milton Keynes

Italy vs Belgium - 4:45pm

England vs Korea Republic - 7:45pm

Sunday 19 February - CBS Arena, Coventry

England vs Italy - 3:15pm

Belgium vs Korea Republic - 6:15pm

Wednesday 22 February - Ashton Gate, Bristol

Korea Republic vs Italy - 4:45pm

England vs Belgium - 7:45pm

What is the England squad for the Arnold Clark Cup?

18:08 , Michael Jones

Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Emily Ramsey (Everton, on loan from Manchester United), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)

Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Laura Coombs (Manchester City), Jessica Park (Everton, on loan from Manchester City), Jordan Nobbs (Aston Villa), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Barcelona), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)

Forwards:Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Katie Robinson (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash).

What is England’s early team news?

18:04 , Michael Jones

Leah Williamson is set to make her first England appearance since September after the Lionesses captain missed the last two international windows due to injury, but midfielder Kiera Walsh is a doubt due to illness.

Sarina Wiegman has a fully-fit squad elsewhere, but is without Beth Mead and Fran Kirby due to injury, while the likes of Beth England and Nikita Parris missed out on the squad.

How to watch England vs South Korea

18:00 , Michael Jones

England’s opening match of the Arnold Clark Cup will kick off at 7:45 pm on Thursday 16 February.

It will be shown live on ITV 4, with coverage starting from 7pm. It will also be available to watch live on the ITV X online platform.

England vs South Korea

16:22 , Michael Jones

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Arnold Clark Cup action. England start their 2023 campaign against South Korea in Milton Keynes with Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson hoping to regain their title as champions.

The Lionesses won the inaugural edition of this invitational tournament last year when they edged out Spain on goal difference after both teams finished the round robin on five points from their three matches. Wiegman’s side went unbeaten in that tournament which proved to be excellent preparation for the European Championship.

With the Women’s World Cup looming this summer, the Lionesses coach will be hoping for a similar boost as England look to lift the trophy once more. This year’s competing nations, alongside England, are Belgium, Italy and South Korea.

Kick off for this opening fixture is at 7.45pm and the match will be broadcast on ITV with building starting from 7pm.