FIFA Women’s World Cup warm-ups: Lionesses held, Ireland game abandoned

Womens International - Australia v France
Australia’s Mary Fowler celebrates as she scores the winning goal. (Liam Ayres/ SPP)

Some final warm-ups for the FIFA Women’s World Cup saw England draw with Canada, Republic of Ireland versus Colombia abandoned and Australia beat France.

England drew 0-0 with Canada in a behind-closed-doors training game, as 21 players in Sarina Wiegman’s squad featured.

The Republic of Ireland also played a goalless behind-closed-doors game against Colombia, this lasting only 20 minutes though due to the ‘over physical nature of the encounter that saw Denise O’Sullivan suffer a shin injury.

A crowd of 50,629 in Melbourne saw Australia defeat France, Mary Fowler scoring the only goal and Les Bleues’ Selma Bacha being stretchered off.

Italy edged New Zealand with a Valentina Giacinti goal, Japan put five past Panama as Yui Hasegama bagged a brace.

South Africa beat Costa Rica 2-0 with Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia their scorers, Argentina got four against Peru.

Spain thrashed Vietnam 9-0 with seven of the goals coming in the second half, Salma Paralluelo, Jennifer Hermoso and Esther Gonzalez all scoring twice.

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