England women beat Canada to win Cyprus Cup for 3rd time

England beat Canada to win Cyprus Cup final for third time
• Canada 0-1 England
• Lianne Sanderson 67min


England's Lianne Sanderson celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the Cyprus Cup final in Larnaca, Cyprus, on Wednesday. Photograph: Getty Images

Lianne Sanderson’s second-half goal against Canada helped England’s women lift the Cyprus Cup for the third occasion as Mark Sampson’s side warmed up for this summer’s World Cup finals in style.

After England tasted victory at the tournament in 2009 and 2013 by beating Canada in the final, a cool finish from the Arsenal Ladies striker midway through the second half was enough to secure their third triumph. It was the only goal conceded by Canada – who will host the World Cup in June – during the competition and consigned them to their first defeat in 10 matches.

Having beaten Finland and Australia in the group stages before drawing 1-1 with Holland, England made nine changes, with only Alex Greenwood and Jordan Nobbs, who captained her country for the first time, keeping their place. The Chelsea left-back Claire Rafferty made her first appearance in two and a half years after her comeback from a third anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Manchester City midfielder Jill Scott went close in the first half when her side-footed shot was tipped over the bar, while England’s Siobhan Chamberlain got down smartly to save Christine Sinclair’s low effort from 12 yards. But the game’s only true moment of quality came on 67 minutes, when Sanderson finished off a tidy move after a flick-on from Jodie Taylor.

Canada left-back Allysha Chapman almost equalised in the fifth minute of added time, but Chamberlain produced a wonderful save high to her left to secure the victory.

England now have one more home match before they fly to Canada in June. They entertain China at Manchester City’s new Academy Stadium on Thursday 9 April.

Guardian