Sarina Wiegman wrung the changes on Friday and will have been impressed with what she saw as Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze and more watched from the bench

England's first fixture of 2024 wasn't really as advertised. The Lionesses would've expected a stern test from an Austria team that impressed so many at the European Championships in 2022. But as the rain came hammering down in Algeciras, making a brief mockery of the warm-weather training camp, their opponents folded like a wet paper bag in a rather straight-forward 7-2 win for Sarina Wiegman's side.

It was easy and quick enough for England to open the scoring. Alessia Russo started the move that she would then put the finishing touches on, finding Beth Mead on the right and pouncing on the rebound of her saved shot. Soon enough, it was two, debutante Grace Clinton getting a deserved goal just a few minutes after striking the upright. It was surprising to see such a passive and disorganised display from Austria but they showed glimpses of their quality at times and pulled a goal back with a bullet of a header from Virginia Kirchberger, leaving Hannah Hampton with no chance in the Lionesses' goal.

However, despite Austria's flaws, England deserve credit for the way they played with a more experimental starting line-up, even if it was a string of familiar faces who put the game beyond doubt. Mead made it three with a gorgeous curling strike, Georgia Stanway's high press helped Russo bag a brace and Jess Carter even came off the bench to grab an unlikely goal with a skilful flick.

A late flurry saw the game end as eventfully as it started, too, Kirchberger getting another for Austria late on before Mead profited from Lauren James' good work at the other end and Rachel Daly rounded off the scoring with a thumping finish.

GOAL rates England's players from Estadio Nuevo Mirador…

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Hannah Hampton (6/10):

Didn't have many saves to make but commanded her area well and her distribution was excellent, too.

Maya Le Tissier (7/10):

Hasn't played at right-back for a while but didn't look rusty. Got involved in the final third and played some nice balls into the box. Would've had a goal if not for a great Zinsberger save.

Esme Morgan (6/10):

Relatively solid in a rare start, though could've done better for Austria's second goal.

Alex Greenwood (5/10):

Generally good in possession but did give away a cheap corner that led to Austria's goal. Subbed off at half time.

Niamh Charles (6/10):

Wasn't as involved in attack as usual.

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Georgia Stanway (8/10):

Did fantastically well in the deeper, Keira Walsh-esque role she was asked to perform. Wasn't afraid to push up and press, either, assisting Russo's second by doing exactly that.

Grace Clinton (7/10):

Minutes after striking the post, marked her well-earned debut with a goal after nice movement into the box. A superb display.

Ella Toone (7/10):

Thrown in at short notice due to an injury to Fran Kirby but was sharp and creative. Took her opportunity after finding herself on the bench for both games in December.

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Beth Mead (7/10):

Wouldn't have expected her early shot to give Russo a goal but produced a real quality strike for England's third and was in the right place at the right time to tap in her second.

Alessia Russo (8/10):

Opening goal was a perfect example of what she's good at: starting a move with a nice pass, then getting in a goal-scoring position to benefit from the play that follows. Showed great composure for her brace, too.

Lauren Hemp (6/10):

Superb skill to get past her marker and tee up Clinton to score. Subbed off at the break.

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Lotte Wubben-Moy (7/10):

While many would've liked to see her start after her super form for Arsenal, she did get 45 minutes off the bench and continued that momentum from club. Credited with an assist after her strong header was flicked in by Carter, too.

Lauren James (6/10):

Came on at half time and showed nice glimpses, most notably with a fantastic run and shot that would lead to Mead's second.

Rachel Daly (6/10):

Had around half an hour to make her mark but struggled for service until emphatically putting a chance away deep into stoppage time.

Jess Park (5/10):

Another player in good form who Wiegman rewarded with significant minutes from the bench, but she couldn't get involved much.

Jess Carter (7/10):

Came on at left-back just past the hour and found herself on the scoresheet for just the second time in her England career with a wonderfully improvised backheel.

Keira Walsh (N/A):

Only on for the final 15 minutes or so to see the game out.

Sarina Wiegman (8/10):

Will have learned a few things after handing out starts to Hampton, Le Tissier and Clinton while also trying Stanway in a new role. Mixed things up with the subs, too, in a worthwhile evening when it comes to experimenting.