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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2020 22:35:58 GMT
England have failed to defend their SheBelieves title after slipping to a 1-0 defeat to Spain in their final game leaving head coach Phil Neville facing yet more questions over his position. Defensive weaknesses were exploited by Spain and a late header from Alexia Putellas from a corner meant the defending champions slipped to a second loss out of three in their title defence. Neville's Lionesses failed to capitalise on their first-half domination and never looked like scoring after the break, whereas the Spanish side stepped up to dominate and leapfrog England in the overall standings. England had a number of chances in the first half but despite chances for Ellen White and Nikita Parris, they failed to find the back of the net. Some sublime goalkeeping from Carly Telford ensured damage control for the English side after the break, but when Putellas was left unmarked in the box, Spain capitalised then held off the defending champions until the final whistle.
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Post by Admin on Mar 16, 2020 21:57:38 GMT
England's recent struggles continued with a late loss to Spain in their final SheBelieves Cup match in Frisco, Texas. It was their seventh defeat in 11 games and they have failed to defend their title in the United States. Alexia Putellas scored the winner in the 83rd minute after she was left unmarked in the box to head home. Spain had several chances in the second half as keeper Carly Telford denied Ainhoa Moraza and Marta Cardona from close range. England were the better team before the break but despite chances for Ellen White and Nikita Parris, they failed to create many clear-cut opportunities. The Lionesses have won just three matches since the World Cup quarter-final last summer and they will not meet up again until a training camp in April. Phil Neville made eight changes to the side who narrowly beat Japan on Sunday - though some were enforced through injury. Chelsea striker Bethany England and Birmingham City goalkeeper Hannah Hampton picked up "slight ankle strains" in training on Tuesday, where conditions were believed to have been relatively poor.
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