Cumbrian star Georgia Stanway has joined a select group of players who have scored a hat-trick at Wembley, the home of English football.
The Barrovian hit her treble in a commanding 8-0 win by England over China last night.
Her goals came in the 23rd, 38th and 52nd minutes with the second one from the penalty spot as England outclassed their opponents, scoring five first-half goals.
Player of the match, Stanway became just the third Lioness to score a hat-trick at Wembley, behind current teammates Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones, after she took home the match ball.
“I think the most important thing was that we started fast today,” reflected Stanway. “We scored a few goals in the opening minutes and that was game-changing.”
Stanway, who now plays for Bayern Munich, added: “I am not known for scoring goals at the moment so I will take that. I am happy with that and also very happy that my family are here for the game.”
And Stanway boasts an impressive record – one which she preserved last night – from the spot, having scored all 13 of the penalties he has taken in an England shirt.
“I practice quite often,” she continued. “I think it is making sure that you have got second and third options.
“Obviously, I’ve been on penalties for a while so there is going to be a moment where I might be caught out or I might have to change my routine, so it is just practice.”
And Stanway was pleased with how Sarina Wiegman’s side executed their game plan.
“It was exactly what it was there,” she explained. “We knew we would have moments of dominating the ball, but it was going through the thirds.
“We knew they would have a real high line so it was, can we get in behind early?
“If the ball turns over can we look in behind because we know that Alessia is going to be running.”
The Lionesses play their final game of 2025 against Ghana at St. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on Tuesday looking to end a memorable year on a high.
