Lionesses make winning start to Arnold Clark Cup | OneFootball

Lauren James celebrates her goal against South Korea. (Kevin Hodgson /SPP)

The Lionesses began their defence of the Arnold Clark Cup with a comfortable 4-0 victory over South Korea in front of 21,030 fans at Stadium MK.

It took 40 minutes for a dominant England to make the breakthrough, as moments after Alessia Russo thumped a shot against the post, Lauren James was taken down in the box and Georgia Stanway buried the resulting penalty.

England doubled their lead within 20 seconds of the restart, Chloe Kelly’s deflected effort looping over the keeper’s head and nestling in the back of the net.

Just four minutes later, Alex Greenwood fed the ball into Russo, who got in front of her marker and chipped home a composed finish.

Stanway struck the crossbar but James netted the fourth, picking up a Lucy Bronze pass and firing home.

Tessa Wullaert of Belgium scores the winning goal. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Belgium had earlier beaten Italy 2-1 and Marie Detruyer got the first goal of the tournament, following a neat exchange with Tine De Caigny.

Manuela Giugliano equalised for the Italians but Féli Delacauw’s through ball saw Tessa Wullaert despatch what proved to e the winner.

Sunday 19 February –

Coventry City FC

England v Italy (3.15pm) – live on ITV1

Belgium v South Korea (6.15pm) – live on ITV4

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