After Cloe Lacasse and Sabrina D'Angelo beat El Salvador 6-0 in the Gold Cup in the early hours of Friday morning, there was still plenty of international action left for our Gunners.
Vivianne Miedema and Laia Codina went head to head on Friday evening as Spain triumphed over the Netherlands in the UEFA Women’s Nations League semi-final. Goals from Jenni Hermoso, Aitana Bonmati and Ona Batlle gave Spain a 3-0 victory and secured their place at the 2024 Olympic Games before the Nations League final even takes place. Codina played the full 90 minutes, whilst Miedema was substituted at half-time.
As France beat Germany in the other semi-final and they have already qualified as hosts, the Netherlands will now face Germany in the third-place playoff to decide who gets the last Olympic spot. Victoria Pelova travelled to the Dutch camp but was not available for selection.
Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord all helped Australia cruise to a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in the first leg of their Asian Olympic Qualifier final. Foord came on as a second-half substitute and scored the Matildas' third and final goal, assisted by Catley. The Aussies can book their place in Paris with a result in the return leg on February 28.
Sweden faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first leg of the UEFA Women’s Nations League promotion/relegation match. Stina Blackstenius led the line for 77 minutes and was instrumental in Sweden's opening goal. They went on to win the match 5-0, holding a very strong position for the deciding leg on February 28.
Frida Maanum also featured for over an hour in Norway's Nations League clash with Croatia. Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and Celin Bizet Ildhusoy were on the scoresheet in Norway's 3-0 win away from home.
Away from Nations League action, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead both scored a brace for England in their 7-2 victory over Austria. Russo opened the scoring after just three minutes and went on to assist Mead for her first goal and the Lionesses' third just before half-time.
Alex Greenwood made way for our very own Lotte Wubben-Moy at half-time, who also bagged an assist - heading goalwards for Jess Carter to flick in at the post.
Elsewhere, Ireland and Italy's friendly ended goalless, with captain Katie McCabe playing the full 90 minutes.
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