Vision, instinct and tenacity: Stanway shines as Lionesses lay down a marker | Sophie Downey

England laid down a marker at Wembley on Saturday evening as they waltzed to victory over China with a scintillating show of attacking force. Among the many eye-catching performances, Georgia Stanway stood out, joining Beth Mead and Aggie Beever-Jones by becoming the third Lioness to score a hat-trick at Wembley. Her three goals and assist formed part of a midfield display that was right up there with the best the national stadium has witnessed over the years.

The 26-year-old has been one of the first names on Sarina Wiegman’s team sheet since the Dutchwoman took over as manager in 2021. Famous for her long-range finishing and tenacious tackling, she is emblematic of the fight and quality that this England team possess. When in top form, she and Keira Walsh form one of the best midfield partnerships out there, complementing each other’s attributes. She is one of the leaders of this team, unafraid to stand up and be counted on and off the pitch when things go wrong and at the core of their success when they go right.

By her own admission, Stanway is “not known for scoring goals at the moment” but against the Asian Cup holders, she was given the freedom to bring all her attacking qualities to the fore. This performance was all about that side of her game – her vision, her innate habit of finding the spaces inside the box and her instinct for finding the net. Each of her three finishes illustrated different attributes that have made her the player she is today.

The first was pure instinct – a first-time hit off a parry from China’s goalkeeper, Pan Hongyan, arriving at the edge of the penalty area at the perfect time to drive it home. Her second came from the spot just before the break, her 13th conversion from 13 penalty kicks marking an exceptional record from 12 yards. She capped off her night with a slick team goal that displayed the almost telepathic connections she has with those around her. Receiving the ball off Lucy Bronze to play a neat one-two with Ella Toone, she caught the China defence on the back foot as she broke on to the return pass to turn the ball home.

Hers was just one of the standout offensive performances as England dominated from the first minute in a display reminiscent of the last time these two teams met. At the World Cup in 2023, Wiegman’s side dumped China out of the tournament with a surprising change of system and a superb display from Lauren James. Neither were on display on this occasion – England have long reverted to their traditional formation while the Chelsea player has been afforded extra time to continue her recovery from the ankle injury suffered at the European Championship.

Sarina Wiegman saw her side thrash China for the second time in two meetings. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

The Lionesses, however, have a healthy array of attacking options who showed their best in front of the 74,611 packed into Wembley on a chilly evening. Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo combined to stretch China’s high defensive line and exploit the gaps left in the channels by their rather disjointed backline. Russo pulled the central defenders around, popping up centrally before suddenly appearing on the wing, dropping deep to collect while also breaking the line on to long balls. She did the dirty work to tire out the defenders, stretching the defence until it broke, and was well-deserving of her 78th-minute goal.

Mead looked back to her very best in the opening half, her partnership with Bronze down the right proving particularly fruitful. Hemp played an equally crucial role down the left, marking her first game back in an England shirt with a close-range finish.

There will no doubt be sterner tests to come. China are not the force they once were and the gap between the sides has evidently grown since that meeting in Adelaide almost two and a half years ago. The Steel Roses are undergoing an extended period of transition under Ante Milicic, who took over in May 2024 while also having one eye on the Asian Cup that begins in March. Questions will remain about England’s defence – their new-look backline and Anna Moorhouse, winning her first cap in goal, were rarely tested.

That should not take away from the impressive nature of the Lionesses’ performance. On several occasions in the last few years, England have struggled to break down opponents. Those games drew justified criticism just as this one should draw praise. It was a statement from Wiegman and her team on their own turf that they have no plans to slow down any time soon.