England 0-0 Czech Republic: Lucy Bronze earns 100th cap as Lionesses' winning run ends

2 years ago 24
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Lucy BronzeLionesses centurion Lucy Bronze threatened on the right as England struggled to break down the Czech Republic

Lucy Bronze made her 100th England appearance as the Lionesses' 15-match winning run ended with a 0-0 draw in a friendly against the Czech Republic in Brighton.

Chelsea forward Lauren James, who was making her full debut for her country, saw her fourth-minute shot cannon off a post and Lauren Hemp was also denied by the woodwork when she lifted a finish beyond visiting goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova after the break.

Bronze had been hoping to celebrate her landmark in style as England returned to the scene of their record-breaking win over Norway and dramatic quarter-final victory against Spain on their way to Euro 2022 glory.

The right-back was involved in several of England's best attacks against a Czech Republic side who delivered on their collective pledge not to be intimidated by the occasion in front of an attendance of 21,222.

The result meant that England failed to win for the first time since a 0-0 draw against Spain in the Arnold Cup Clark in February, while the Czech Republic extended their unbeaten run to four matches.

Brilliant Bronze brings up her century

More than nine years after making her England debut against Japan, Lucy Bronze became the cap centurion she thought she would never be with a typically enterprising display on the right.

Always available on the flank, Bronze's perceptive passing, arrowed runs towards the penalty area and confident defensive work were a feature of the first half as England searched for an opener against opponents keen to impress the largest audience many of them had ever played in front of.

Simona Necidova raced in to whip the ball away just in time on one occasion when Bronze burst into the box, while an excellent crossfield delivery from Fran Kirby would have set her free beyond her marker had the Barcelona newcomer not lost her footing.

Bronze was also assured and accurate in her crossing, with her only moment of concern coming when she was floored by a robust challenge at the touchline before rising to her feet to demand the ball.

Reflecting on her career this week, Bronze revealed that she had been told as a 20-year-old to expect her career to last a maximum of seven more years because of four severe knee injuries that had left her unable to run as a teenager.

Had a crystal ball given her a glimpse into the future, Bronze would have seen herself as the reigning England Player of the Year on her 28th birthday, as well as an imminent Champions League winner with Lyon, among other trophies.

The move Bronze made to Barcelona only seems likely to enhance her determination and keep her standards as high as this dependably brilliant player's standing in the game.

Remaining an England mainstay for the rest of Wiegman's reign is the least we should expect from Bronze. She has spoken of emulating Brazil legend Formiga by playing until 43 - and on current form and fitness, that seems merely ambitious rather than outlandish.

More to follow.

Line-ups

England

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Earps
  • 2Bronze
  • 5BrightSubstituted forMorganat 62'minutes
  • 6Greenwood
  • 3StokesSubstituted forDalyat 82'minutes
  • 8Toone
  • 4Walsh
  • 7KellySubstituted forMeadat 45'minutes
  • 10Kirby
  • 11JamesSubstituted forSalmonat 63'minutes
  • 9Hemp

Substitutes

  • 12Morgan
  • 13Roebuck
  • 14Zelem
  • 15Wubben-Moy
  • 16Carter
  • 17Parris
  • 19Park
  • 20Daly
  • 21MacIver
  • 22Mead
  • 23Salmon

Czech Republic

Formation 4-2-3-1

  • 1Lukásová
  • 3Sonntágová
  • 4Bertholdová
  • 19Necidová
  • 5SlajsováSubstituted forDlaskováat 75'minutes
  • 12Cahynová
  • 18Dubcová
  • 10Svitková
  • 11KrejciríkováSubstituted forMartínkováat 75'minutes
  • 17SzewieczkováSubstituted forKhýrováat 57'minutes
  • 9StaskováSubstituted forMrázováat 75'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Dlasková
  • 6Khýrová
  • 7Martínková
  • 8Veselá
  • 13Jelínková
  • 14Cvrcková
  • 15Stárová
  • 16Fuchsová
  • 20Dubcová
  • 21Mrázová
  • 22Cerná
  • 23Radová

Live Text

  1. Match ends, England 0, Czech Republic Women 0.

  2. Second Half ends, England 0, Czech Republic Women 0.

  3. Attempt blocked. Beth Mead (England) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lauren Hemp.

  4. Corner, England. Conceded by Simona Necidová.

  5. Attempt blocked. Lauren Hemp (England) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.

  6. Corner, England. Conceded by Petra Bertholdová.

  7. Attempt blocked. Beth Mead (England) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Fran Kirby.

  8. Corner, England. Conceded by Kamila Dubcová.

  9. Corner, England. Conceded by Olivie Lukásová.

  10. Attempt saved. Fran Kirby (England) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.

  11. Foul by Ebony Salmon (England).

  12. Miroslava Mrázová (Czech Republic Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  13. Substitution, England. Rachel Daly replaces Demi Stokes.

  14. Corner, England. Conceded by Olivie Lukásová.

  15. Attempt saved. Beth Mead (England) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Alex Greenwood.

  16. Corner, Czech Republic Women. Conceded by Beth Mead.

  17. Corner, England. Conceded by Eliška Sonntágová.

  18. Substitution, Czech Republic Women. Miroslava Mrázová replaces Andrea Stasková.

  19. Substitution, Czech Republic Women. Lucie Martínková replaces Tereza Krejciríková.

  20. Substitution, Czech Republic Women. Anna Dlasková replaces Gabriela Slajsová.

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