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Lionesses retain Arnold Clark Cup with thumping win over Belgium

Chloe Kelly celebrates giving England a 3-0 lead.
Chloe Kelly celebrates giving England a 3-0 lead.Profimedia
England have retained the Arnold Clark Cup with Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly both scoring twice to seal a 6-1 win over Belgium at Ashton Gate.

England only needed a point to be assured of victory following recent wins over Italy and Korea Republic.

But the Lionesses blew Belgium away with a breathless display of attacking football to register their largest win of the competition.

England led at half-time courtesy of a Kelly tap-in and William’s header, before Kelly became the tournament’s top scorer by reacting quickest from a Nicky Evrard error to make it 3-0 shortly after the break.

An unfortunate Julie Biesman own-goal followed by a neat Lucy Bronze finish made it 5-0 to the hosts, with Elena Dhont scoring from Belgium’s only shot on target to ruin Mary Earps’ clean sheet.

Williamson rounded off a near-perfect evening for the Lionesses with an exquisite finish from outside the box deep into injury time.