England 2-1 Italy: Lionesses make it two wins from two in the Arnold Clark Cup

Rachel Daly does not like talking about whether she is better as a defender or a striker. She has reiterated that she will play anywhere for her country. But in a rare start up front, she proved exactly why she can be England’s secret attacking weapon at this summer’s World Cup.

Her two goals in front of 32,128, the highest attendance for a sporting event at this stadium, gave England a 2-1 victory over Italy to put them on course to retaining the Arnold Clark Cup trophy.

Daly has always been a forward at club level but she has rarely had a chance to show her attacking talents on the international stage, playing every game of the Euros at left back.

But it is hard to ignore the fact that Daly is the joint-top scorer in the Women’s Super League.

Despite being listed as a defender in this squad, she played in the No 9 role off the bench against South Korea and here against Italy. It perhaps signals a change in thinking from Wiegman.

England maintained their perfect start to this year’s Arnold Clark Cup with victory over Italy

Rachel Daly’s double ensured England came through what had transpired to be a tough test

The Lionesses will now face Belgium in their next game after getting past South Korea and Italy

Alex Greenwood is a more than capable left back while Niamh Charles can also play there. It will be hard to dislodge Alessia Russo as the starting striker in Australia but Wiegman may decide it is better to have Daly as an attacking option on the bench, or indeed from the start, than to play her as a full-back. Either way, it is a good headache for the England manager to have and it will keep opponents guessing.

This was perhaps the most experimental team of Wiegman’s reign so far. There were first starts for youngsters Katie Robinson and Jess Park while Laura Coombs, who made her international return after eight years as a substitute against South Korea, was also given the chance to impress.

But it was Daly who seized the moment more than anyone. She looked fired up from the start as she forced Laura Giuliani into a fine save in the opening minutes.

The forward had another effort saved minutes later as England grew into the game. It was a case of third time lucky as Daly found the net in the 32nd minute. Robinson found space on the right and whipped in an inch-perfect cross for Daly to head into the bottom right corner.

Robinson and Daly almost combined again at the start of the second half, but this time the forward missed the target after connecting with her team-mates’ delivery. England should have doubled their lead when the ball dropped at Hemp’s feet in the box but Giuliani made a fantastic reaction stop to keep the score at 1-0.

It looked as if those saved would prove crucial when Italy drew themselves level in controversial fashion. Barbara Bonansea picked out substitute Sofia Cantore in the box, who sent a header goalwards. With no technology in use, it was unclear whether the ball had crossed the line after Roebuck had got a hand to it, but referee Ivana Projkovska over-ruled her assistant to award the goal. Replays, though, showed that the ball had in fact gone out of play before Bonansea crossed it.

The controversy did not matter. On came Lauren James, the upcoming star in this England team. Within 10 minutes, the Chelsea forward had created the winner as she sent in a teasing cross for Daly to head into the far corner. Job done.