The Lionesses are back in action tonight with an international friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. Sarina Wiegman will be hoping to get her team back to winning ways following a goalless draw against the United States last time out.
That match featured a fine performance from Mary Earps who was recalled between the sticks for a more tactically defensive outing that tested the continued development of Wiegman’s European champions ahead of their title defence next summer.
Euro 2025 will be held in Switzerland and England are getting a taste of what potentially lies ahead when they take on the tournament hosts tonight. The Swiss are bruised and battered after a 6-0 defeat to Germany were they did not manage a shot in the entire game and will be hoping for an improved performance in London.
In what has been a ‘tough year’ for the Lionesses, according to Earps, going out on a high with a win this evening will give them some momentum heading into the new year.
Follow all the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
England vs Switzerland LIVE
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England host Switzerland at Bramall Lane
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54’ SAVE! Hampton denies Beney (ENG 1-0 SUI)
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8’ GOAL! Clinton turns the ball home from a free kick (ENG 1-0 SUI)
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Lionesses drew 0-0 with Emma Hayes’ USA last time out
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Swiss are hosting Euro 2025 with England hoping to defend their title next summer
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:59 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Close! England should be two up. Russo makes a nice run into the box and is fed by Clinton. She lays the ball back to Le Tissier who finds Beever-Jones in the middle.
The striker sets up Laura Blindkilde Brown who shoots and forces a save out of Herzog diving low to her right.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:57 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Gabby George continues to prove effective on the left wing for England but can’t get on the end of a pass out to her left.
In response Switzerland boot the ball up the pitch and Millie Turner is caught on the wrong side of Iman Beney. The midfielder hodls off a challenge from Millie Bright then blazes a shot at goal that Hannah Hampton turns wide!
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:53 , Mike Jones
51 mins: There’s a more energetic fervour to this half as Switzerland’s substitutions are already forcing England to defend deeper than they were in the first half.
For England Alessia Russo is on for Jess Park.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:49 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Switzerland win a free kick and lift the ball into the penalty area. Grace Clinton is on head to block a volleyed effort before the ball drops to Andrade who smokes a shot of her own high and wide.
Second half! England 1-0 Switzerland
20:47 , Mike Jones
The visitors get the ball rolling again for the second half.
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
20:43 , Mike Jones
Here’s a look at Grace Clinton’s opener:
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
20:39 , Mike Jones
HT England 1-0 Switzerland
20:35 , Mike Jones
Grace Clinton scored her third goal for the Lionesses in just her fifth appearance for the national team. Has she booked her place on the plane for Euro 2025?
Half-time! England 1-0 Switzerland
20:31 , Mike Jones
45 mins: The whistle goes to end a first half that was very much controlled by the Lionesses. Grace Clinton’s opener is the difference between the teams but Sarina Wiegman will be hoping for more in the second half.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:29 , Mike Jones
42 mins: The crowd gets right behind England’s captain Millie Bright who comes forward on the left and drives the ball into the box. Her run goes on a bit too long though and she runs the ball out for a goal kick whilst trying to find a teammate to pass to.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:25 , Mike Jones
39 mins: Oh hello! Switzerland get their first real chance at goal with Meriame Techoun taking a shot from range as England’s defenders back track.
It’s a decent enough strike but Hannah Hampton has no problems keeping it out.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:20 , Mike Jones
36 mins: Blindkilde Brown wins a corner for the Lionesses and Le Tissier is on set piece duty once more. The wingback fizzes this one towards the near post where Beever-Jones wins the header and turns the ball wide of the target.
England are getting closer to another goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:19 , Mike Jones
33 mins: Grace Clinton and Jess Park both fancy themselves to excel in the No. 10 role and are playing alongside each other in the middle of the pitch.
Switzerland have switched to a 5-4-1 formation meaning it’s more difficult to break them down. They’ll want to avoid another 6-0 hammering after their defeat to Germany.
It’s working so far.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:17 , Mike Jones
30 mins: Beever-Jones is seeing more of the ball now which is good news for England as they are finding more space inside the final third.
They haven’t been able to convert that into clear cut chances though.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:12 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Aggie Beever-Jones has been waiting for her moment to shine for England. She’s leading the line tonight and will want to show what she can do.
The striker leaps for an aerial ball but gives Julia Stierli a shove in the back and the canny defender goes to ground to win her team a free kick.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:11 , Mike Jones
24 mins: Le Tissier whips a corner ball short to Jess Park who gives it her back with a better angle to drill a cross to the back post. Millie Bright is the target but can’t quite get enough of the ball to turn it towards goal.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:05 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Beever-Jones is fed the ball after England’s press recovers possession high up the pitch. She can’t find space to shoot but instead manages to pass the ball across to Laura Blindkilde Brown who gives it to Gabby George.
George shoots but curls her left-footed effort wide of the near post.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:03 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Sarina Wiegman has set England up with two wingbacks and a back three tonight. Gabby George is positioned on the left wing and bombs forward before swinging a cross into the Swiss penalty area.
Maya Le Tissier, the right wingback, receives the ball, brings it down then fires a shot wide of the target.
England 1-0 Switzerland
20:00 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic goes on a nice run to get the Swiss up the pitch and gets clattered by Esme Morgon resulting in a free kick for the visitors.
The set piece is sent into the far side of the box and Coumba Sow wins the header. She sends it across goal but can’t find a teammate and England manage to clear.
England 1-0 Switzerland
19:57 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Close! It’s almost two for England after Maya Le Tissier brings the ball down the right side. She slips it into the feet of Jess Park who sends it to Grace Clinton on the edge of the box.
Clinton returns the ball with her first touch and Park threads a pass into the box for Aggie Beever-Jones who is just beaten to the ball by goalkeeper Elivria Herzog who lunges on top of it to stop England doubling their lead.
GOAL! England 1-0 Switzerland (Grace Clinton, 8 mins)
19:54 , Mike Jones
England have the lead! Grace Clinton wins a free kick inside the opponents half and Jess Park steps up to take the set piece. She floats the ball into the penalty area where Millie Turner rises highest and nods the ball at goal.
Her effort strikes the post and rebounds into the middle where Clinton is first to the loose ball. She turns it home with ease and the Lionesses are in front!
England 0-0 Switzerland
19:52 , Mike Jones
7 mins: Millie Bright plays a nice pass into the feet of Laura Blindkilde Brown who spins and laces a pass down the left wing for Gabby George to chase.
It’s a decent effort to get in behind but George can’t keep the ball in play.
England 0-0 Switzerland
19:50 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Sydney Schertenleib receives her first touches of the ball in midfield and is immediately brought down inside her own half. Switzerland play the free kick qucikly and sweep down the right wing before sending in a fine cross.
Grace Clinton tracks back perfectly for England and wins the interception before completing a clearance out of her own box.
England 0-0 Switzerland
19:47 , Mike Jones
3 mins: When Switzerland turn the ball over England’s press is very strong and sharp forcing Noelle Maritz to misplace a pass straight out of play.
The Lionesses recover possession and look to take control again.
Kick off! England 0-0 Switzerland
19:46 , Mike Jones
Aggie Beever-Jones gets the ball rolling in Sheffield as England’s fresh line up look to impress Sarina Wiegman tonight.
They work the ball around the back line before coming forward through Millie Bright on the left side. There’s no urgency from the Lionesses as they attempt to draw Switzerland out of a low block.
Walsh approaching landmark
19:40 , Mike Jones
Keira Walsh (49 currently) could become the fourth player to make 50 appearances for England under manager Sarina Wiegman after Lauren Hemp (53), Georgia Stanway (53) and Ella Toone (51).
England vs Switzerland
19:40 , Mike Jones
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Bramall Lane. Qualification for the Euros next summer is secured now it’s all about preparing for the tournament.
The national anthems are played and kick off is up next…
Wiegman’s new approach
19:35 , Mike Jones
In their goalless draw with the USA on Saturday, England recorded their fewest shots (4) and expected goals figure (0.07) in any of their 56 games under manager Sarina Wiegman.
But, England have recorded two clean sheets in their last four games (vs. Sweden & USA), as many shutouts as they managed across their previous 10 matches across all competitions.
Switzerland’s heavy defeat
19:30 , Mike Jones
Switzerland lost 0-6 to Germany last time out, their heaviest defeat in friendly since a 0-7 defeat to the Germans in June 2022 – back then, the Swiss lost their following game after that loss, 0-4 to England.
England’s tough year
19:25 , Mike Jones
England have won just six of their 11 games in all competitions in 2024 (drew three, lost two).
It gives them their worst win-rate (54.5%) in a calendar year when they’ve played 10+ games since 2007 (50% – Played 14, won seven, drew four, lost three).
Park on competition for places
19:20 , Mike Jones
“That’s the best way a team needs to be,” said Jess Park when asked how it feels to be competing for places in the line-up. She added: “If there’s no competition, it’s not going to bring out the best in you and I think that’s the important thing.
“It’s nice to be around a lot of the younger girls that I know as well and that I’ve grown up with and played with before. That’s really nice to have them in and around camp. They kind of look to me to help them out now as well, so that’s really nice.”
Park on becoming a Lioness regular
19:15 , Mike Jones
Jess Park spoke about what it feels like to be brought into the national team and playing regularly for the Lionesses. She said: “I’ve learnt a lot from playing at club level and obviously, I’ve had a lot more experiences now internationally.
“I feel like I’m getting there. I’m really getting comfortable in the environment with my team-mates and coming onto the pitch and being on the pitch. I feel like it’s really progressing.
“Sustaining the attacks for a bit longer and creating them really clear-cut chances will be a really massive part in our development. I think that’s something we need to focus on.”
Sarina Wiegman happy to make England players ‘uncomfortable’ in bid to improve
19:10 , Mike Jones
England boss Sarina Wiegman is happy to make life “uncomfortable” for her players as they attempt to force their way into her team for the Euro 2025 finals.
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson, who captained the Lionesses to European glory in 2022, admitted in the wake of Saturday’s 0-0 friendly draw with world numbers ones the United States that the last two camps had been far from comfortable.
Sarina Wiegman happy to make England players ‘uncomfortable’ in bid to improve
Swiss away form is strong
19:05 , Mike Jones
Switzerland have won three of their four away games in all competitions in 2024 (woth one defeat) after losing their final three on the road to end 2023.
England unbeaten at Bramall Lane
19:00 , Mike Jones
This will be England’s fourth game at Bramall Lane, winning each of the previous three by an aggregate score of 11-0; their most recent game at the Sheffield venue came in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, beating Sweden 4-0.
A bad omen for Switzerland
18:55 , Mike Jones
Switzerland have lost each of their three previous away games against England, losing 9-1 in April 1977, 1-0 in May 2000 and most recently 2-0 in September 2010.
Who has qualified and who is in the play-offs for Euro 2025?
18:50 , Mike Jones
Here are the teams that will be playing at next summer’s tournament and will be in the draw in two weeks time:
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Switzerland (hosts)
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Spain (group winners)
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Germany (group winners)
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France (group winners)
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Italy (group winners)
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Iceland (runners-up)
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Denmark (runners-up)
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England (runners-up)
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Netherlands (runners-up)
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Portugal or Czech Republic (play-offs)
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Scotland or Finland (play-offs)
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Ukraine or Belgium (play-offs)
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Wales or Republic of Ireland (play-offs)
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Poland or Austria (play-offs)
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Northern Ireland or Norway (play-offs)
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Serbia or Sweden (play-offs)
When is Euro 2025 draw? Qualified teams, pots and how to watch
18:45 , Mike Jones
England will be out to defend their European title as the draw for Euro 2025 is made ahead of the tournament in Switzerland next summer.
The Lionesses won their first major honour on home soil when Sarina Wiegman’s team defeated Germany at Wembley in July 2022.
The Euro 2025 draw will take place on Monday 16 December at 5pm BST (time still TBC) and the draw ceremony will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 16 teams will be drawn into four groups of four. There will be a livestream on the Uefa website.
England team changes
18:40 , Mike Jones
Jess Park is the only player to remain in the starting XI from the England team that lined up against the United States last weekend. Sarina Wiegman switches out 10 players with Hannah Hampton returning in goal.
England line-up
18:34 , Mike Jones
Here’s how England line-up against Switzerland tonight:
Hayes on returning to England as US coach
18:30 , Mike Jones
Emma Hayes left Chelsea in the summer to take up the position of head coach of the United States Women’s National Team. She returned to England last weekend for a clash with the Lionesses which ended in a goalless draw.
Hayes said: “I give everything I possibly can for a team that I really, really enjoy coaching, and I thrive, not just under pressure, but I like these opportunities, I like being in these situations. They bring out the best in me.
“You’ve got two top teams now, Sarina is an amazing coach, I thought it was a good tactical match-up, and I just enjoy coaching a high-level football match, to be honest with you. I don’t think too much about it.”
England vs Switzerland
18:25 , Mike Jones
England are unbeaten in 11 previous meetings with Switzerland (10 wins, one draw), with the Lionesses only facing Finland (played 13, won nine, drew four) and Northern Ireland (played 12, won 12) more often without ever losing in in their entire history.
Wiegman on USA draw
18:20 , Mike Jones
Sarina Wiegman brushed aside suggestions from some pundits that her side were content to settle for a draw when they took on the United States last weekend.
She said: “I think we were really defending as a team, very strong. We got momentum in the second half, we did better, and of course both teams went for the win.
“So many things happened in this game, also in front of the goal, so I don’t think it was boring.
“We wanted to go for the win, but it was such a high-intensity game, you have to deal with a very good opponent, so you can’t just say, ‘Now we’re going to go and score that goal’.
“We tried, of course, to do that. We didn’t slow down to keep it 0-0. I think that was just how the game went.”
Emma Hayes admits to anthem uncertainty after facing England
18:15 , Mike Jones
United States women’s head coach Emma Hayes admitted she initially grappled with how best to behave during ‘God Save The King’ ahead of her side’s goalless draw with England in their Wembley friendly.
The billing of London-born former Chelsea boss Hayes against England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman – arguably the best two bosses in the women’s game – had generated more buzz in the build-up than the players on the pitch, despite it being a rare encounter between the two top-ranked sides in the world.
Emma Hayes admits to anthem uncertainty after facing England
‘Switzerland will be different’
18:10 , Mike Jones
“We took a lot of learnings from Saturday [against the USA] but I think tomorrow will be a different game with different challenges.”
Those were the words of Sarina Wiegman as she took the pre-match press conference yesterday ahead of tonights encounter with the Euro 2025 hosts.
The Lionesses coach added: “I do expect, first of all, that Switzerland will play in another shape and what we’ve seen from them is that they drop deeper quicker a little bit, so we expect to have the ball more.”
Wiegman looking for ‘clarity’ before Euro 2025
18:05 , Mike Jones
Sarina Wiegman also spoke about England’s preparations for their European title defence next summer and explained how her she is hoping for clarity ahead of the tournament.
“Before the tournament, you want clarity,” she explained, “Now, you’re trying out things and now, you want everyone to compete at the highest level – compete against opponents but also compete with each other.
“That’s what you need to become better. Of course, we’re not going to get everything right but we’re learning and it gives us information.”
Wiegman on experimenting with her squad
18:00 , Mike Jones
There has been a renewed focus, certainly in the back half of the year, from Sarina Wiegman to experiment and switch up her England squads.
While Euro 2022 was a triumph of consistent personnel playing their roles to perfection England had come to rely on they same group of players.
Wiegman has tried to change that and has brought in a new crop on young, hungry players to try and keep the Lionesses’ playing style fresh and new. It’s a work in progress.
The England coach said: “It gives opportunities for us to try out things and to play many players so absolutely, we need this game to try out these things.
“We still have seven months to go [before Euro 2025] but we want to get as much information as possible and develop our style of play and experience where we are at the moment.”
Tactical stalemate with Emma Hayes and USA offers clues to England’s future
17:55 , Mike Jones
Another night of learning for England and Sarina Wiegman, even if the only fireworks produced from the visit of Emma Hayes and the United States were those in the pre-match light show at Wembley. A blockbuster between the European champions and Olympic champions this was not; rather a reflection that both teams missed key players in attack and were using this November friendly for tactical experimentation. Seven months out from the Euros, Mary Earps admitted England are still “figuring out” how they want to play.
But after conceding four goals in their previous outing at Wembley, Wiegman’s changes were made to ensure there would be no repeat. It offered a view of a more pragmatic “mature” England, to the point that Wiegman may have been overly cautious and the Lionesses finished with just one shot on target. “I don’t remember a chance,” said Hayes. Earps said it had been a “tough year” for England and the Lionesses played like they did not want another defeat. There was restraint, that shut out the USA. “After the Germany result, we expected a reaction,” Hayes said.
Tactical stalemate with Emma Hayes and USA offers clues to England’s future
Predicting England’s starting XI
17:50 , Mike Jones
Here’s how we see England lining up against the Swiss this evening:
England XI: Hampton; Le Tissier, Bright, Morgan, Greenwood; Walsh, Clinton, Park; Mead, Russo, Beever-Jones
What is the England team news?
17:45 , Mike Jones
The Lionesses have been hit by further injuries ahead of the Switzerland game, with Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby pulling out of the squad – adding to the absences of Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone.
Sarina Wiegman suggested she would “rotate a lot” against Switzerland, suggesting Hannah Hampton, Grace Clinton, Aggie Beever-Jones and Esme Morgan could be involved while Maya Le Tissier could return from concussion.
Laura Blindkilde-Brown and Ruby Mace are uncapped but could be handed their first minutes from the bench.
How can I watch the game?
17:40 , Mike Jones
England vs Switzerland will be shown live on ITV 4 and ITV X, with coverage beginning at 7pm. The programme will be hosted by Laura Woods with Ian Wright and Karen Carney providing punditry from the studio.
When is England vs Switzerland?
17:35 , Mike Jones
The friendly will kick off at 7:45pm on Tuesday 3 December at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
England vs Switzerland
17:30 , Mike Jones
England close out the year with a home friendly against Switzerland in Sheffield as the Lionesses look to finish 2024 with a win.
Sarina Wiegman’s side drew 0-0 with the USA at Wembley on Saturday night, with the visit of Emma Hayes leading to a tactical stalemate in front of a crowd of over 70,000.
The European champions maintained there were improvements, particularly in defence, but there have been further injuries to attacking players ahead of the Switzerland game.
The Lionesses are building towards the defence of their European crown next summer, and will face the hosts Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
It’s their first meeting since a 4-0 win over the Swiss in June 2022, ahead of the summer where the Lionesses won the Euros.
Good evening!
13:57 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s international football action between England and Switzerland as the two teams clash at Bramall Lane.
The game is the Lionesses final outing in 2024 and they will want to go out on a high following a tricky 0-0 draw against the United States in their previous fixture.
Sarina Wiegman continues to refine her team and her tactics ahead of the European Championships next summer so expect another surprising performance from her side tonight.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the night so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 7.45pm.