TuesdayTournoi de France

The final Tournoi de France fixture kicked off on Tuesday evening as the Netherlands faced hosts France. Aniek Nouwen started for the Netherlands and got a solid 45 minutes under her belt for her national team. France however ran out winners having opened the scoring on 20 minutes when Wendie Renard converted from the spot. Marie-Antoinette Katoto doubled their lead five minutes later, and though the Netherlands pulled one back five minutes into the second half through Lineth Beerensteyn, France sealed their win when Katoto got the third goal of the game with 15 minutes left.

Pinatar Cup

The final action of the Pinatar Cup was also played on Tuesday with a few of our Blues involved. Sophie Ingle captained Wales as they took on the Republic of Ireland in the third place play-off. Our No.5 almost got on the scoresheet, rattling the crossbar after a strike from range in the second half. The Republic of Ireland ran out winners with a first-half strike from Denise O’Sullivan, whose effort from the edge of the box found its way into the back of the net to secure third spot in the competition.

Belgium took on Russia in the final on Tuesday evening. Alsu Abdullina started for Russia and played the full 90 minutes as they battled out a 0-0 draw with Belgium. The game couldn’t be decided in normal time and had to go to penalties. Abdullina successfully converted her spot-kick, however Russia were denied the cup after losing 7-6 on penalties.

WednesdayAlgarve Cup

Norway took on Portugal in the third place play-off of the Algarve Cup on Wednesday morning. Guro Reiten was brought on at half-time as Norway cruised to a 2-0 victory against Portugal to finish third in the tournament. Norway enjoyed a majority of the possession and took the lead on 20 minutes through Elisabeth Terland. The win was wrapped up with 12 minutes left when Celin Bizet Ildhusoy got on the scoresheet to ensure Norway claimed third spot.

Sweden took on Italy in the final. Jonna Andersson started for the Swedes while Zecira Musovic featured on the bench. The Italians took the lead through Valentina Giacinti on 18 minutes, however Sweden dominated proceedings and got their goal late into the second half when Caroline Seger scored from the penalty spot to take the final to penalties. In a nervy shoot-out Sweden eventually won, converting six penalties to Italy's five.

Arnold Clark Cup

In the final matches of the Arnold Clark Cup, Canada faced Spain in the first fixture at the Molineux Stadium on Wednesday. Jessie Fleming played another 90 minutes for Canada as they fell to a narrow defeat. The only goal of the came in the 21st minute when Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas slotted in Leila Ouahabi’s cross. The 28-year-old later hit the crossbar, as did Canada’s Jordan Huitema in an exciting match-up.

Fran Kirby capped a superb display for the Lionesses, getting an assist and a goal as England secured the Arnold Clark Cup. Three of our four Blues started the game as Sarina Weigman named Mille Bright,  Jess Carter and Kirby in her starting 11, while Niamh Charles began on the bench. Carter was forced off through injury in the first half after a strong challenge with Maximiliane Rall.England took the lead through Ellen White, Kirby got the assist as she neatly threaded the ball into the City striker who made no mistake of firing the ball past Merle Frohms from close range.

Germany equalised shortly before the interval when Lina Magull scored an exquisite free-kick which crept its way in off the underside of the bar. The second half saw two of our Blues get on the scoresheet late on. Bright slotted in from close range and Kirby rounded off a dominant second half performance when she scored in stoppage time after a well-worked counter attack, netting past Frohms to secure the trophy for the Lionesses.

The Blues will return back to Cobham to prepare for Saturday’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup fixture against Leicester City. The match kicks off at 1pm and supporters can cheer on the Blues at Kingsmeadow by clicking here to purchase your tickets.