England manager Sarina Wiegman praised her team's "incredible" 2022 after their 1-1 draw against 10-player Norway.
Rachel Daly headed England in front but Norway,reduced to 10 players, levelled through Frida Maanum after she capitalised on an error made by goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck.
This result ensured that the Euro 2022 champions have gone the entire calendar year unbeaten. The Lionesses have played 17 matches this year and won 15 of them. Following this friendly played in Murcia, Spain, the Lionesses have not lost in 26 games since Wiegman became head coach in September 2021.
"If you had said this would have happened from last September to now I wouldn't believe you," said Wiegman.
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The Dutch manager told ITV4: "This week three players made their debuts, lots of players have made minutes now. We take a lot from this and the overall year. You hope for things but this is really incredible."
Daly was deployed at left-back during the Euros, but got a long-awaited start up front against Norway in the position she plays at club level for Aston Villa, which she has been enjoying in the Women’s Super League this term.
It was rather a forced decision by Wiegman with Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead absent because of family circumstances while Lauren Hemp and Fran Kirby pulled out of the squad last week.
However Daly has given manager Wiegman a selection headache with her energetic performance and she offers a new dynamic up front for he Dutch boss.
Daly got her goal just after the half-hour mark after some fine work by Chloe Kelly with a deep cross which the Villa star guided past goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen.
She told ITV4 after the game: "I love the number nine position but I love football, I say it to everyone, I am happy to play everywhere.
"It is special wearing the number nine shirt, it was the number my dad wore when he played so even more special.”
"But I'm prepared for both positions always, I can't just focus on one. It's nice to have that role."
Wiegman acknowledged she has a lot of options to lead the line, saying: "We have many players for the number nine role.
"We saw Alessia [Russo] coming in from injury but she did a great job too. When Ebony [Salmon] played she did great there too and when Lauren James played she did great. So we have lots of options."
