Izzy Christiansen scores in England's 1-0 win over Australia in China
Tuesday 27 October 2015 12:41, UK
Izzy Christiansen's second international goal earned England Women a 1-0 victory over Australia in the CFA International Tournament in China.
England lost 2-1 to the host nation on Friday but came into Tuesday's game full of confidence after recording a 3-0 win over the Matildas at the Cyprus Cup earlier this year.
Jill Scott marked the occasion of her 100th international cap by leading England out for their fixture against the 2015 Women's World Cup quarter-finalists in Yongchuang.
England made a brisk start to the contest with Eni Aluko and Lucy Bronze narrowly missing the target in the game's early stages.
Midfielder Samantha Kerr forced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley into a couple of saves before Emily Van-Egmond missed a gilt-edged opportunity to give Australia the lead, heading over from close range.
Aluko came closest to opening the scoring in the first half, rattling the crossbar with a stinging drive just before the break after some good work from Bronze on the right flank.
But Christiansen got England's second half off to the perfect start when latching onto a pass from Manchester City team-mate Bronze before firing past Lydia Williams from an acute angle.
Bardsley then made a good save to deny Kyrah Simon's header before England centurion Scott blazed over twice. Scott then turned provider for substitute Jodie Taylor who raced clear and put the ball in the back of the net late on, only to see her effort ruled out for offside.
England's next match sees them take on Germany in Duisburg on November 26 before they face Bosnia in a Euro 2017 qualifier at Bristol City's Ashton Gate three days later.
