Eniola Aluko was amongst the pundits that commented on the historic event as the Lioness of England beat Spain 2-1 in Arnold Clark Cup.
Eniola took to her Instagram page to share a picture of the moment and she captioned it: “@lionesses duty with these Special Ones”
Rachel Daly’s double header helped a drastically altered England Women’s team won their second Arnold Clark Cup match of the competition by defeating Italy Women 2-1.
Daly started up front for the Lionesses after being so successful as a No 9 for Aston Villa this season. Sarina Wiegman made nine changes from the team that defeated Korea Republic 4-0 on Thursday night.
She also paid back the faith, scoring England’s first goal in the 32nd minute off a cross from the outstanding Katie Robinson during a first half in which the hosts occasionally battled to gel.
Italy had their moments, but they tied the score under questionable conditions.
In scenes similar of Japan’s goal against Spain at the men’s World Cup last year, the ball appeared to be out of play just before Barbara Bonansea fired in a cross, which Sofia Cantore nodded over Ellie Roebuck’s outstretched hand.
The ball may have partially crossed the line, but there were doubts once more. Since there was no goal-line technology in use, the decision was final despite the protests of the England players as the goal was awarded.
However, the Aston Villa forward scored the winning goal for the Lionesses with her second headed goal of the game. Right winger Lauren James, a substitute, sent a beautiful cross, and Daly rose above Elena Linari to head the ball in.
Belgium overcame South Korea 2-1 on Sunday to move atop the Arnold Clark Cup standings on goal differential, while England has now gone 28 games without a loss under Wiegman.
Arnold Clark Cup
Beginning in 2022, the Football Association in England has been holding an invitation-only women’s association football competition known as The Arnold Clark Cup.
It bears the name of automobile retailer Arnold Clark, who agreed to a long-term sponsorship agreement. ITV serves as the domestic broadcast partner for the opposition.
The Arnold Clark Cup is contested during the February–March international break alongside other prestigious international women’s invitational competitions, including the SheBelieves Cup, the Algarve Cup, the Pinatar Cup, the Tournoi de France, Turkish Women’s Cup, and the Cyprus Cup.
A round-robin event pits each of the four invited teams against the other. In the group stage, teams are given three points for victories, one point for ties, and zero points for defeats. Goal difference is used to break a tie in points.
How England Overcame Italy
Both goalkeepers were in action right away at the Coventry Building Society Arena. After a fantastic break from Everton’s Aurora Galli, Roebuck was forced to deflect Valentina Giacinti’s ferocious strike around the post within just five minutes.
After putting the Italian defense under pressure, Daly then had two very identical shots. The second shot she took was directly at the goalkeeper after the first was blocked by the opponent’s Cecilia Salvai.
A significantly altered England struggled to click in their typical manner, and the game started to veer off course. But, Daly was the one to finally score, leaping high to head in Robinson’s cross.
Daly blasted two attempts over just after the break as England started the second half well, hitting the woodwork late in the first half while also being called for offside.
Daly gave England the lead once again in the 71st minute shortly after putting another shot wide. The right-winger James whipped in a cross, and the Aston Villa forward rose over her defender to put the ball beyond Salvai.
In the dying minutes, Italy tried to score an equalizer, but England finished the match and earned their second Arnold Clark Cup victory.
Who is Eniola Aluko?
Eniola Aluko, a football executive, analyst, and former professional player, was born on February 21, 1987.
She previously served as the inaugural Sporting Director at Aston Villa W.F.C. from January 2020 to June 2021. Angel City FC plays in the American National Women’s Soccer League.
Aluko, a Nigerian-born player who represented England in 102 matches from 2004 to 2016, took part in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China in 2007, the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2009, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany in 2011, the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2013, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2015.
She was a member of Great Britain’s delegation at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
Eniola Aluko has previously played in England’s FA Women’s Premier League for Chelsea, Charlton Athletic, and Birmingham City.
From 2009 to 2011, she participated in the American Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) for Saint Louis Athletica, Atlanta Beat, and Sky Blue FC.
She signed with Chelsea in 2012 after a brief experience with Birmingham City in England’s brand-new top level, the FA WSL, where she played from 2012 until 2018.
Aluko last played as a forward for Juventus prior to his retirement from professional football in January 2020.
She has since 2014 also offered television analysis of football, including the FIFA World Cups for men and women.
