Photo via BBC Sport

'Unplayable' Stanway a free-scoring warrior for Lionesses

England midfielder Lauren Stanway has cemented her status as one of the most clinical finishers in world football, delivering a dominant display in recent matches that underscores her versatility and goal-scoring prowess. Over the past five days alone, Stanway has been a constant threat, culminating in a season where she topped England’s scoring charts and scored in 11 consecutive appearances.

Her impact was particularly evident in a match against Greece, where she was described as 'unplayable' by former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, winning every tackle, maintaining a 90% pass accuracy, and scoring a goal—despite another strike being controversially ruled out for offside. Manager Sarina Wiegman praised her relentless work rate, highlighting Stanway’s ability to excel both defensively and offensively, whether as a midfielder, winger, or even a second striker in a fluid system that included debutant Lexi Potter’s support.

Stanway’s adaptability was on full display as England experimented with tactical adjustments, including her shift to a right-wing role midway through the Greece game. Her athleticism and composure were on show in a near-perfect strike in Leicester, where she controlled a long ball before firing a powerful shot into the corner—only for it to be disallowed.

Wiegman emphasized Stanway’s dual role, noting her effectiveness in both pressing high up the pitch and breaking up play at the back, while Brown-Finnis called her performance 'absolutely brilliant' across multiple positions. With England still chasing qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, Stanway’s ability to dominate in different roles could prove decisive in their upcoming play-off against Ukraine.

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