England 1-1 Norway: Lionesses complete 2022 unbeaten despite Ellie Roebuck error

England capped off their incredible 2022 with a 1-1 friendly draw against Norway in their final game of the year.

Norway, reduced to 10 players, equalised through Frida Maanum after an error by England keeper Ellie Roebuck.

This result means England, crowned European champions on home soil this summer, complete the year unbeaten.

The Lionesses have not lost in 26 games under head coach Sarina Wiegman and have conceded just twice in their last six games.

Daly takes her forward chance

Daly played at left-back in England’s victorious run at Euro 2022, but here got a long-awaited start up front in the position she plays at club level for Aston Villa.

It was a decision also borne out of necessity, with Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead absent because of family circumstances while Lauren Hemp and Fran Kirby pulled out of the squad last week.

However Daly has given manager Wiegman a selection headache with her energetic performance, exemplified on 16 minutes when she charged down a Norway back-pass. Goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen’s clearance bounced off the forward and rolled narrowly wide.

Daly got her deserved goal soon after however, thanks in large part to Chloe Kelly, whose deep cross was perfect for her to guide past the flat-footed Mikalsen.

While Daly impressed when moved out of defence, Maya le Tissier stood out at right-back on her senior international debut.

The Manchester United full-back made a crucial challenge inside the opening two minutes as Emilie Haavi had a shot saved at the near post by Roebuck, and looked at home with the Lionesses to continue a superb few months since her summer move from Brighton.

History made despite Roebuck mistake

The 3,000-seater Pinatar Arena in Murcia was not the most auspicious surroundings to end England’s year, but nothing should be taken away from a truly historic 12 months for the Lionesses.

What looked like a controlled performance and win was lost with 11 minutes remaining however, as reserve keeper Roebuck, deployed with regular starter Mary Earps on the bench, blotted her copybook with an awful error.

She raced out of her goal to clear a long pass but missed the bouncing ball to allow Arsenal midfielder Maanum to race through and slot into an empty net.

It was a disappointing end to the night for a youthful England side. With Le Tissier and Roebuck given chances, seven of the starting XI were 25 or under. Only Daly was over 30.

Ultimately this showing was well below arguably England’s most impressive display of 2022, their 8-0 dismantling of Norway at the Euros. The Norwegians are now under the management of ex-Lionesses and Team GB coach Hege Riise and have improved since that embarrassing defeat.

They troubled England all night, even without the injured Ada Hegerberg and Barcelona’s Caroline Graham Hansen, who announced in August she would take a break from international duty because of cardiac problems.

They were set back on 72 minutes when Anja Sonstevold picked up a rare friendly red card after two bookable fouls on Nikita Parris, but were then gifted a draw by Roebuck’s mistake.

Nevertheless, while this England display never touched the levels seen at the Euros, it provides a satisfactory conclusion to a year of which Lionesses fans could previously only have dreamed.

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