Georgia Stanway scored a first-half hat-trick as England produced a ruthless attacking display to beat China 8-0 at Wembley, the Lionesses’ biggest-ever win at the national stadium. The victory was manager Sarina Wiegman’s 50th in charge and marked England’s first match at Wembley since they successfully defended their European title earlier this year.
Stanway’s treble was supported by a brace from Beth Mead and strikes from Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo. With first-choice goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and deputy Khiara Keating sidelined through injury, Wiegman handed a debut to 30-year-old Anna Moorhouse, who was barely tested as England dominated an underdone China side playing their first game since July.
The hosts took control early. In the 12th minute Lucy Bronze overlapped down the right and fed Mead, who controlled on her left and lashed home with her right. Minutes later Hemp created space down the left and set up Toone, and Mead finished at the far post to make it 2-0.
England then rattled off three goals in a four-minute burst. Hemp, returning from injury and making her first appearance since the Euros, finished from close range after a move involving Russo and Stanway. On 23 minutes a punch from China keeper Pan Hongyan sent Hemp’s cross back into play and Stanway volleyed the loose ball into the box. The fifth came just before half-time when VAR adjudged Rangers defender Li Mengwen had blocked Russo’s volley with an outstretched arm; Stanway stepped up and converted the penalty.
Stanway completed her hat-trick eight minutes into the second half after a neat interchange with Toone saw her slot home. Toone added a seventh in the 71st minute, finishing into an empty net following a defensive mix-up, and seven minutes later she set up Russo to slide in England’s eighth.
“It was important we started fast today,” Stanway told ITV. “We got a few goals in the opening minutes and that’s game-changing. We knew we’d have moments of dominating the ball and it was about getting in behind early. The crowd turned out and we appreciate it — hopefully more nights like this.”
Wiegman defended her substitution choices and the decision not to hand more debuts during the one-sided contest, saying three changes at half-time were sufficient given the strength and competition across her 25-player squad. She also praised the Wembley support, saying the atmosphere and number of fans made the occasion special.
England now conclude a successful 12 months with one final friendly, travelling to St Mary’s on Tuesday to face Ghana as they continue their preparations ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifiers.