The Lionesses came close to equalling England’s biggest-ever win at Wembley as they thrashed China 8-0 in their first match back at the national stadium since winning Euro 2025.
Georgia Stanway scored a hat-trick for the European champions, Beth Mead netted twice and there were also goals for Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo.
Sarina Wiegman’s team were rampant from the start and scored three goals in just four first-half minutes as Mead netted a quickfire brace and Hemp then made it three. Stanway scored twice before the interval and then completed her hat-trick after the break, as Toone and Russo got in on the act against the Asian champions.
There was also a debut for Anna Moorhouse, who was part of the Euro 2025 squad, with the goalkeeper finally making her England debut at the age of 30 and keeping a clean sheet. too.
"Really nice. We want to be more ruthless and that's what we did today,” Wiegman said. "I think we started really well and they played in a different shape so we had to adapt to that. They gave us too much time of the ball and then you see when we get that time we are really good. The connections are very good and there were some good goals in there."
Follow live reaction from Wembley below
England v China Live
- FULL TIME! Stanway scores hat-trick as England thrash China 8-0
- 78' GOAL! Russo adds eighth late on [ENG 8-0 CHN]
- 72' GOAL! Toone taps in after defensive mistake [ENG 7-0 CHN]
- 52' GOAL! Hat-trick for Stanway after clever Toone assist [ENG 6-0 CHN]
- 38' GOAL! Stanway secures brace from the spot [ENG 5-0 CHN]
- 22' GOAL! Stanway rifles in fourth from range [ENG 4-0 CHN]
- 16' GOAL! Hemp finishes slick move [ENG 3-0 CHN]
- 14' GOAL! Mead grabs brace from close range [ENG 2-0 CHN]
- 12' GOAL! Mead lashes in opener [ENG 1-0 CHN]
Georgia Stanway treble helps England thrash China at Wembley
19:45 , Chris WilsonGeorgia Stanway scored a hat-trick as England made a triumphant return to Wembley with a 8-0 thrashing of China.
Stanway’s treble, a quickfire double from Beth Mead and further goals from Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo secured a comfortable 50th win in charge for boss Sarina Wiegman.
England were playing their first match at the national stadium since they successfully defended their title at Euro 2025 in Switzerland earlier this year.
Georgia Stanway treble helps England thrash China at Wembley
Ian Wright calls for Alessia Russo to be ‘given a break’ despite scoring in big win
23:00 , Chris WilsonFormer Arsenal striker Ian Wright has urged England manager Sarina Wiegman, as well as Gunners counterpart Renee Slegers, to rest Alessia Russo more often after the Lionesses striker played 85 minutes of the 8-0 friendly win over China.
With a congested fixture schedule and player workload issues a hot talking point in the game, Wright said on ITV: “I was expecting Alessia Russo to come off [earlier]. She doesn't get taken off, for Arsenal and for England. I would like to see her given a bit of a break from that.”
Ian Wright calls for Lionesses star to be ‘given a break’ despite scoring in big win
England's 2026
22:00 , Chris WilsonMarch 2026 brings the first World Cup qualifiers for England, with the Lionesses facing Ukraine on 3 March in the first game of their campaign.
The other teams in England’s group are world champions Spain and Iceland, with the campaign running until 9 June next year.
Next up
21:40 , Chris WilsonThe Lionesses’ next match is their final one of a successful 2025, with Wiegman’s side taking on Ghana on 2 December.
That match kicks off at 7pm at St Mary’s, home of Championship side Southampton.
More from Bardsley
21:20 , Chris Wilson“I have enjoyed the ruthless nature of what I saw tonight.
“There was no drop in quality when the other players came on to the pitch. Sarina Wiegman has had eyes on Kendall.
“It's about seeing how these players deal with the environment and how they get on with their team-mates,” she added.
Bardsley reacts
21:00 , Chris WilsonHere’s what former Lionesses ‘keeper Karen Bardsley had to say about the game on BBC’s radio broadcast:
“I thought Georgia Stanway was very impressive. China capitulated and it became very flat and just a standard outing at the end of the day.There were lots of positives and lots to look forward to going into that game against Ghana.
“I was kind of hoping we would see Godfrey get on. But I think the purpose of these camps is to see players and see how they cope with the intensity and the way of working.
“You can get a feel for the sort of person they are within the group,” she added.
More from Wright
20:40 , Chris WilsonWhen quizzed on who will feature for England in World Cup qualifiers next year, Wright has this to say:
“I think the usual suspects will play those games.
“There will be the odd changes with the likes of Chloe Kelly or Grace Clinton but I think it will be the usual suspects who play those matches,” he added.
Wright not holding back on China
20:30 , Chris Wilson“There is no way China should be that underprepared,” says Ian Wright on ITV. “They should have been harder to beat.”
The former Arsenal striker also calls it one of the worst goalkeeping displays he’s seen.
Mead: 'We made them look very average'
20:20 , Chris WilsonEngland goalscorer Beth Mead says that the Lionesses were "very good” this evening.
“It's nice to see lots of different goalscorers and people getting minutes and come away with a good win,” she says.
"I thought we put together some really good goals tonight. I am happy to get those two.
“It's the perfect time and opportunity to give the girls exposure to international level. It is good to see them get the minutes."
On Sarina Wiegman, she adds: "She makes it look easy. She makes coaching look very easy. She is an amazing coach to work under.
"It wasn't our hardest game but you play the team that is in front of you. We made them look very average tonight. We regroup for Ghana on Tuesday."
Wiegman: 'We started really well'
20:05 , Chris WilsonEngland boss Sarina Wiegman is understandably pleased with the result and performance.
“Well, I think we started really well and they played in a differne shape, so we had to adapt to that, that was really good, but they gave us to much time on the ball,” she explains.
“We know how we want to play, what we want to do.
On Stanway, she says: “She was enjoying herself, was really sharp. We had some conversations and she relly wanted to show that, she was really calm.”
On her subs: “I think they came on a bit late, but we wanted to speed up the game, but Lucia [Kendall] I think really understands the game. She turns forward and picks up good positions.”
Finally, she added: “We know we have a good team, players are ready to play, there’s a lot of competition. The tempo dropped a little second half, they still pressed, we had to drop a little deeper, but you can tell that we can make changes and still keep levels up.”
Stanway: 'I'm very happy'
19:50 , Chris WilsonHat-trick scorer Georgia Stanway says that the is "very happy” with that performance and result.
“The most important thing was that we started fast today. We got a few goals in the opening minutes and that's game-changing.
"I am not known for scoring goals at the moment. I am happy with that and I am happy my family is here.
"We knew we would have moments of dominating the ball and then it was about getting in behind early.
"Everyone turning out, we appreciate it. We hope for more moments like that."
On penalties, she adds: "I practice often. I have been on penalties for a while. It is just about practice.
FULL-TIME! England 8-0 China
19:37 , Chris WilsonThere were 74,611 in attendance at Wembley, and they have seen England's record women's win at the famous venue.
It’s still a little off the Lionesses’ record win though – that was a 20-0 against Latvia in Doncaster in 2021!
FULL-TIME! England 8-0 China
19:32 , Chris WilsonOverall, a pretty perfect night from an England point of view.
Eight goals, a clean sheet, some brilliant team play and a successful debut for Moorhouse are the obvious notes, though one could argue that Sarina Wiegman could have introduced some more of the lesser-seen members of the squad, or even given Freya Godfrey a debut.
Nevertheless, it’s a great performance and a huge win to take into the game against Ghana.
FULL-TIME! England 8-0 China
19:27 , Chris Wilson
FULL-TIME! England 8-0 China
19:23 , Chris Wilson90 +3 mins
A couple more openings for England but nothing comes of them before the referee bows the final whistle.
The Lionesses can't equal the record Wembley win but that will matter little after a super performance that sees them to an 8-0 win over the Asian champions!
England 8-0 China
19:21 , Chris Wilson90 +1 mins
Two late changes for the visitors as Yao and Li make way for Shen and Lyu.
England 8-0 China
19:19 , Chris Wilson90 mins
England are still so much faster to the second ball at the moment, though the visitors do get a chance as Tang Jiali is sent though before firing a shot straight at Moorhouse.
We’re into the first of three minutes of added time.
England 8-0 China
19:17 , Chris Wilson88 mins
Linyan Zhang has been the only threat for the visitors since coming on, and she does well to get past her marker before sending a cross too close to Moorhouse.
At the other end, Beever-Jones’ first involvement sees the Chelsea striker’s promising shot blocked.
England 8-0 China
19:14 , Chris Wilson85 mins
Russo comes off moments after lashing an effort wide at the near post. It’s been a great performance from the Arsenal striker, who’ll obviously be disappointed not to have scored more than one. Still, she took her goal very well.
She makes way for Aggie Beever-Jones.
England 8-0 China
19:12 , Chris Wilson82 mins
You have to admire the effort from England here. Perhaps they know about that 9-0 record.
It came from the men’s side against Luxembourg in 1982 apparently, and the Lionesses clearly want to beat it tonight. Jess Park looks particularly keen to get in on the goals.
GOAL! England 8-0 China
19:09 , Chris Wilson78 mins
GOAL! Russo finally has her goal, but it’s going to need a VAR check for offside.
It’s slipped to Toone on the edge of the box and she manages to thread it through to her former club teammate, before the Arsenal striker finishes well across the ‘keeper, at an angle but from close range.
And it’s given! One closer to the 9-0 then.
England 7-0 China
19:07 , Chris Wilson77 mins
The record win for an England team at Wembley is apparently 9-0. The Lionesses are certainly threatening that tonight.
England 7-0 China
19:06 , Chris Wilson76 mins
Taylor Hinds comes on for Lucy Bronze for the hosts.
GOAL! England 7-0 China
19:02 , Chris Wilson73 mins
GOAL! This is the worst of the lot (from a China point of view).
Hongyan plays it to Wang Linlin from the goal kick, and the defender hesitates in her own area before playing a hospital pass back to the ‘keeper.
While Hongyan races to make the clearance under pressure from Russo, she can only fire it straight to Toone, who simply volleys into an empty net!
England 6-0 China
19:00 , Chris Wilson72 mins
OFF THE BAR! Lovely effort from Park.
Hongyan punches out and it's passed to Park, who clips the crossbar with a lovely chip.
England 6-0 China
18:59 , Chris Wilson70 mins
CLOSE! Almost that goal for Russo!
Kendall’s first involvement is to latch onto a through ball into the box, and she cuts back a great pass to Russo.
The striker thinks the effort is bound for the back of the net but there’s a brilliant last-minute block.
England 6-0 China
18:57 , Chris Wilson67 mins
No letting up from the hosts yet, with China still unable to keep the ball for very long at all when they do win it.
England win two set-pieces in as many minutes but neither comes to anything.
The visitors make two more subs, as Aifang and Yanwen make way for Tang Jiali and Jin Kun.
England also bring on Lucia Kendall for captain Keira Walsh.
England 6-0 China
18:53 , Chris Wilson63 mins
You can tell Russo is desperate for the goal her performance deserves and she almost has a golden chance there, with the through ball having just a tiny bit too much on it.
Moments later, she almost has another chance as Hongyan widely swings and misses a cross to leave an open goal, but the defenders were there to clear!
England 6-0 China
18:48 , Chris Wilson58 mins
Better from the visitors! Linyan Zhang brings it down in the area and cuts past the challenge from Bronze before lashing an effort over.
GOAL! England 6-0 China
18:44 , Chris Wilson52 mins
GOAL! This is arguably the best of the lot.
It’s a slick team move, with Bronze playing it forward to Stanway, who squares it to Toone on the edge of the area.
The midfielder then threads through a lovely pass for the one-two to beat the defence and release Stanyway one-v-one, and she drags her effort across the ‘keeper, low into the far corner.
England 5-0 China
18:41 , Chris Wilson51 mins
China’s first half-chance of the half comes as Linyan races down the left before fizzing in a cross, but the home defence is equal to it.
The England pressing has been just as intense as in the first half, though there are even bigger gaps in the China midfield at times now.
England 5-0 China
18:37 , Chris Wilson48 mins
England’s first attempt at breaking the high line in this half is offside by quite a distance, Russo the guilty party this time.
KICK-OFF! England 5-0 China
18:34 , Chris WilsonBack underway at Wembley!
Three changes for England: Hemp, Mead and Morgan make way for Chloe Kelly, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Jess Park.
There’s a change for the visitors too, as Zhang Linyan replaces Wurigumula.
HALF-TIME! England 5-0 China
18:32 , Chris WilsonMost fans and players look overjoyed with that performance, though you imagine Anna Moorhouse might have wanted more of a chance to show what she can do!
You suspect Wiegman might have been hoping for a more difficult test tonight, but in any case she’s been served a five-star attacking display.
You can only beat what’s in front of you and the Lionesses are certainly doing that.
Full updates from the second half to come, and we’ll be getting started again soon.
HALF-TIME! England 5-0 China
18:26 , Chris Wilson
HALF-TIME! England 5-0 China
18:20 , Chris WilsonThe referee blows the half-time whistle and the Lionesses enter the break five goals to the good!
I don’t think many at Wembley would’ve quite expected this.
However, England have been superb in attack and have completely dismantled the China defence while also absolutely dominating midfield.
Sarina Wiegman – and the home crowd - will want plenty more of the same in the second half.
England 5-0 China
18:18 , Chris Wilson45 +2 mins
Alert defending from Morgan as she initially fails to clear but lunges in to divert the ball for a corner. The hosts manage to clear the set-piece and that should be that.
England 5-0 China
18:17 , Chris Wilson45 +1 mins
The hosts win a corner as we enter the first of two minutes of added time.
It comes to nothing though, with Hongyan collecting the ball in easily enough.
England 5-0 China
18:15 , Chris Wilson44 mins
More chances for England but these ones are offside, with Toone penalised after testing the ‘keeper before Hemp is flagged off.
England 5-0 China
18:12 , Chris Wilson41 mins
A lovely clipped pass from Hemp releases Charles down the left, but the cross has too much on it.
GOAL! England 5-0 China
18:09 , Chris Wilson38 mins
GOAL! It’s a fifth, and a brace for Stanway.
A confident run-up and she sends Hongyan the wrong way, side-footing into the right-hand side of the net.
PENALTY! England 4-0 China
18:08 , Chris Wilson37 mins
It’s given! It’s deemed to be a handball from Li Mengwen. That looks a little harsh but again, the angles weren’t great on replay.
Georgia Stanway to take...
England 4-0 China
18:07 , Chris Wilson36 mins
The referee has gone to the monitor!
England 4-0 China
18:06 , Chris Wilson34 mins
There’s a break here as we need a VAR review to determine if that block from the Russo effort was with an arm...
Replays are inconclusive for now, but the arm is definitely high and not in a natural position...
England 4-0 China
18:04 , Chris Wilson32 mins
Another chance? England win a free-kick on the left and it’ll be Mead to deliver...
It’s headed back towards Russo but her volley is blocked.
England 4-0 China
18:00 , Chris Wilson27 mins
It’s been superb stuff from the Lionesses so far, though it must be said that China have been pretty poor. I don’t think anyone expected it to go like this so early!
The hosts have another chance as Russo races clean through again before seeing her curled effort pushed against the post, but the flag goes up this time.
This China high line is confusing but England have still been brilliant in their dismantling of it so far.
GOAL! England 4-0 China
17:57 , Chris Wilson22 mins
GOAL! This is getting ridiculous now.
The Lionesses have not let up in the slightest, and this time Hemp wins possession high before delivering a cross that Qiaozhu punches away.
However, it rolls straight to Stanway, who rifles in a lovely finish into the far corner from about 16 yards.
England 3-0 China
17:54 , Chris Wilson21 mins
England have continued their dominance, with the hosts not letting up as they look to add more!
GOAL! England 3-0 China
17:51 , Chris Wilson16 mins
GOAL! It’s another!
China are making this far too easy for the hosts.
It starts with clever play from Russo, who drops deeper before slipping the pass into the path of the overlapping Stanway.
She’s beaten the defence already and she simply squares it across goal for Lauren Hemp to tap in!
GOAL! England 2-0 China
17:47 , Chris Wilson14 mins
GOAL! Two in as many minutes!
It’s another great goal, though this one is all about the cross.
Ella Toone has her first real involvement as she cuts back to get past her marker before swinging a superb cross to the back post, where Mead converts!
GOAL! England 1-0 China
17:46 , Chris Wilson12 mins
GOAL!
12 minutes in and the hosts have the opener, and you have to say it’s been coming.
It’s more great work from Mead, who takes down Bronze’s ball into the area well before letting it run and half-volleying a lovely finish low into the net for 1-0!
England 0-0 China
17:43 , Chris Wilson12 mins
CHANCE! A great move from the hosts, with Bronze laying it off to Mead, who floats in a great cross to a central area.
Russo is there to meet it seven yards out but she gets the header wrong, with the ball coming off her shoulder!
England 0-0 China
17:41 , Chris Wilson10 mins
More great work from Russo down the right, beating the high line this time before another clever cutback narrowly misses the teammate.
The Lionesses are beginning to knock it around quite confidently now, with Mead and Russo looking particularly sharp.
England 0-0 China
17:38 , Chris Wilson7 mins
The first chance of the day is followed by the first penalty appeal, but Beth Mead had strayed offside.
She latched onto a clever through ball before being taken down by the keeper, with the referee originally looking towards the spot before seeing the flag.
Maya Le Tissier had had the first shot on target of the day moments before, heading a corner down into the ground but too close to Qiaozhu.
England 0-0 China
17:37 , Chris Wilson6 mins
Here’s the China line-up for today:
China XI: Qiaozhu; Jiaxing, Mengwen, Hongyan, Ziqin, Aifang, Linlin, Yanwen, Haiyan, Wurigumula, Wei.
England 0-0 China
17:36 , Chris Wilson5 mins
The Lionesses’ first venture forward is a dangerous one, with Russo narrowly missing a teammate with a promising cutback before a clever run from Hemp ends with the hosts winning a corner.
England 0-0 China
17:33 , Chris Wilson3 mins
An early foray into the England box ends in a couple of blocked shots for the visitors, before Lucy Bronze heads out for a corner from the first long throw of the day.
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 China
17:31 , Chris WilsonWe’re underway at Wembley! The first of two friendlies as the Lionesses close out a hugely successful 2025.
England v China Live
17:25 , Chris WilsonRight then, almost time to get underway at Wembley!
Both sides are in the tunnel and we’ll be getting started right after the national anthems.
Kirby celebrated at Wembley
17:23 , Chris WilsonEx-Lioness Fran Kirby has just received her plaudits at Wembley after announcing her international retirement in the summer.
She’s given a framed shirt with the number 77 on, marking the number of appearances she made for England.
Speaking in her -re-match conference, Wiegman called Kirby “a great person”.
“I really loved to work with her. She wants to do it together, she’s a good teammate and there’s so much more to come. She’s not finished yet with football, so we can still enjoy watching her but I’m really looking forward to seeing her tomorrow and celebrating her international career,” she explained.
England v China Live
17:20 , Chris Wilson
Hemp speaks on return
17:15 , Chris WilsonEngland forward Lauren Hemp has spoken about her return to form after struggling with some injuries after Euro 2025.
"I'm not going to lie, it's been really frustrating. This time last year I had my first knee injury and I tried my hardest to get back fit for the Euros," she said.
"I was hoping for consistency when the season started again but unfortunately that wasn't to be.
"I want to get back into the form I was pre-Euros and pre-injury. It's so nice to be back fit for a few club games before returning to England camp,” she added.
Lionesses schedule
17:00 , Chris WilsonThis match is the first of two friendlies for the Lionesses before the end of the year, with the second being a home friendly against Ghana on 2 December.
That one takes place at St Mary’s, with kick-off at 7pm GMT.
The Lionesses will return to action next year in March, with the first of their World Cup qualifiers coming against Ukraine on 3 March 2026.
Wiegman on injuries
16:52 , Chris WilsonSarina Wiegman says that injuries within the Lionesses squad have provided "an opportunity" for those who are "knocking on the door” to get into the squad – or starting XI – more regularly.
“We want to try out things, we want to see many players," Wiegman told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“It's an opportunity. These players are all used to playing in the Women's Super League and the Women's Super League is a very, very good league.
"So they're used to being challenged, they're used to playing at the highest level, they're used to playing in front of a lot of big crowds. So it's exciting and it's an opportunity,” she added.
Form guide
16:40 , Chris WilsonEngland DWDLW
The Lionesses have only lost one of their last five – with that loss coming against Brazil in a friendly last month – though they have only managed two wins in that time too, with the latest coming last time against Australia.
Before that, you have to rewind to the victorious Euros campaign for England’s other three fixtures, with the ‘draw’ to Spain of course ending in a penalty victory.
China WDLWD
The visitors have won just two of their last five, with those victories coming against Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
Their most recent result was a 0-0 draw against Japan, while that sole loss came against the USA – 3-0 back in May.
Team news
16:30 , Chris WilsonEngland boss Sarina Wiegman has made four changes to the side that beat Australia in October, with the big news being that Anna Moorhouse replaces Hannah Hampton in goal.
Elsewhere, Niamh Charles replaces Taylor Hinds at left-back, while Georgia Stanway returns to midfield in place of Lucia Kendall.
In the attack, Lauren Hemp makes her return to the starting XI in place of Aggie Beevor-Jones, with Alessia Russo once again leading the line.
Line-ups
16:20 , Chris WilsonEngland XI: Moorhouse; Bronze, Morgan, Le Tissier, Charles; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, Toone, Hemp; Russo.
Subs: Hinds, Baggaley, Kendall, Wubben-Moy, Beever-Jones, Kelly, Kearns, Park, Blindkilde Brown, Roebuck, Clinton, Denton, Fisk, Godfrey.
Your #Lionesses this afternoon! 📋 pic.twitter.com/XQEUrFCtPx
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 29, 2025
Team news
16:05 , Chris WilsonThe line-ups should be announced in the next few minutes, so here’s a reminder of the early team news...
Hannah Hampton will miss England’s final two matches of the year after she was ruled out for a “few weeks” due to a quad injury.
Lauren Hemp is back in the England squad for the first time since Euro 2025 after recovering from injury but Lauren James will remain with Chelsea as she builds her fitness following her own lay-off.
Leah Williamson, Michelle Agyemang and Alex Greenwood are also unavailable while Jess Carter will remain in the United States to recover after her involvement in the NWSL play-offs with Gotham City.
Sarina Wiegman handed forward Freya Godfrey a first senior call-up while goalkeeper Sophie Baggley, defenders Anouk Denton, Grace Fisk and Taylor Hinds and midfielder Lucia Kendal kept their places after their involvement in last month’s camp.
Kiera Walsh will captain the side while Wiegman has confirmed that she will “experiment” with the final two fixtures of the year.
Head-to-head
15:55 , Chris WilsonThese two sides have met just three times in the past, with two matches coming as friendlies and the other coming in the 2023 World Cup.
Both friendlies came in 2015, with England winning the home one 2-1 before losing the away game by the same scoreline. However, England won that World Cup group stage game 6-1.
The 22 stadiums included in the UK’s joint bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup
15:40 , Chris WilsonNew stadiums proposed by Manchester United and Birmingham City have been included in the UK’s joint bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
The bid includes 16 stadiums in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland, in what would be the first World Cup held in the UK since the 1966 men’s World Cup.
Manchester United have outlined plans for a proposed 100,000-seat stadium, with the planned redevelopment included in the bid – alongside Old Trafford in its current form.
The 22 stadiums included in the UK’s joint bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup
Sarina Wiegman to ‘experiment’ with England line-up in upcoming friendlies
15:25 , Flo CliffordEngland boss Sarina Wiegman says she will use the upcoming friendlies against China and Ghana to “experiment” with her side as she switches focus to the Women’s World Cup in two years’ time.
The Lionesses face China in the first of their friendlies at Wembley Stadium on Saturday before they travel to St Mary’s in Southampton to play Ghana on Tuesday.
It is the second set of friendlies that Wiegman’s side will play after they were beaten by Brazil before going on to earn a comfortable 3-0 victory over 10-player Australia in Derby.
The England boss said the friendlies will give “opportunities to players to show themselves” and make their case for a regular berth in the squad.
Sarina Wiegman to ‘experiment’ with England line-up in upcoming friendlies
Early team news
15:15 , Flo CliffordWith Hannah Hampton ruled out, goalkeeper Khiara Keating has also been forced to pull out of the squad due to an injury in training. Ellie Roebuck has been called up for the first time in two years, while Anna Moorhouse or Sophie Baggaley could make their England debut.
Lauren Hemp is back in the England squad for the first time since Euro 2025 after recovering from injury but Lauren James will remain with Chelsea as she builds her fitness following her own lay-off.
Leah Williamson, Michelle Agyemang and Alex Greenwood are also unavailable while Jess Carter will remain in the United States to recover after her involvement in the NWSL play-offs with Gotham City.
Sarina Wiegman handed forward Freya Godfrey a first senior call-up while goalkeeper Sophie Baggley, defenders Anouk Denton, Grace Fisk and Taylor Hinds and midfielder Lucia Kendal kept their places after their involvement in last month’s camp.
Kiera Walsh will captain the side while Wiegman has confirmed that she will “experiment” with the final two fixtures of the year.
When is England v China?
15:05 , Flo CliffordThe friendly will take place at Wembley on Saturday 29 November, with kick-off at 5:30pm GMT.
How can I watch it?
It will be broadcast for free on ITV 1 and ITV X, with coverage starting from 5pm.
Good afternoon
15:00 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to live coverage of England v China, the first of two friendlies for the Lionesses in this window.
Wiegman on China
13:58 , Chris Wilson"It's nice to play teams from different continents. We know China is always a very disciplined team. They have a very good structure," said England boss Sarina Wiegman on China and their way of playing.
"They can play out from the back but also more direct. We know they will try to challenge us in their tactics,” she added.
Sarina Wiegman defends call not to hand out England debuts in China thrashing
21:04 , Chris WilsonSarina Wiegman defended her decision not to give some new faces a chance during England’s 8-0 drubbing of China.
Some familiar names were on the scoresheet in a one-sided Wembley friendly, with Georgia Stanway notching a hat-trick, Beth Mead hitting a quickfire double and Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo also on target.
The Lionesses were 3-0 up after just 16 minutes and five ahead at half-time, when Wiegman made three changes, bringing on three more members of her successful Euro 2025 squad in Chloe Kelly, Jess Park and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
However, Wiegman did not take the opportunity to hand England debuts out to the likes of youngsters Freya Godfrey and Anouk Denton.
Sarina Wiegman defends call not to hand out England debuts in China thrashing
