International Action and Reaction: England’s Autumn Friendlies

England beat Spain two-one in Guadalajara in October, inflicting a first defeat in thirteen matches on a side they would shortly be drawn against at Euro 2017. Karen Carney’s deflected shot and a curled Steph Houghton free kick put England two up inside seventeen minutes before Marta Torrejon replied with an even better set piece; Jordan Nobbs hit the post late. Mark Sampson called it among his favourite England performances, praising the team’s versatility in changing formations. In November a weakened Netherlands side were beaten one-nil in Tilburg, substitute Jodie Taylor lobbing the onrushing goalkeeper on 76 minutes from Nobbs’ pass to complete a ten-game unbeaten run.