01 December 2023 , 22:04
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A last-gasp Ella Toone winner saw England down Netherlands 3-2 at Wembley to keep their Nations League campaign alive.
Substitute Toone’s volley in the 91st minute gave the hosts a remarkable win, that means they could still top the group and reach the tournament finals, which could lead to possible qualification for the Olympics next year.
It rounded off a remarkable second-half fightback which begun with a quickfire Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp double, after the Netherlands led 2-0 at the break. With England on the verge of elimination, Lauren James ' perfect cross was met by Toone at the back post to complete a sensational comeback.
The Lionesses got off to a nightmare start when Lineth Beerensteyn wriggled free of Jess Carter to fire past Mary Earps inside 11 minutes and dampen the Wembley mood. And things got worse for the hosts when Earps allowed a tame shot from Beerensteyn to squirm between her and the post to double the Dutch lead.
England nearly responded with both Chloe Kelly and Lucy Bronze's efforts only narrowly flying past the post. Sarina Wiegman introduced Beth Mead at half-time in hope of a response. And she got one when Georgia Stanway headed home a James cross.
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Hemp then curled home a superb goal from the edge of the box to send Wembley into near delirium before Toone's late show won the game. Here are the key talking points from a freezing Wembley.
1. England are still alive in the Nations League
In a must-win game, England left it very late before Toone's late goal kept their hopes of qualification for the finals alive. Sarina Wiegman’s decision to turn to the returning Beth Mead at the break changed the game, after a nightmare first 45 for the hosts had been topped off with Earps’ costly error.
And her team rallied superbly, Stanway flicking home from close range, before Hemp’s curling effort beat Daphne van Domselaar. From that point on England dominated, roared on by a wonderful Wembley crowd.
It still looked as if they would be out, before James found some space to pick out Toone for a dramatic winner. The victory means England join Netherlands on nine points ahead of Tuesday’s final group game away to Scotland.
Netherlands double their lead through Beerensteyn2. Earps caught cold
Mary Earps has enough credit in the bank at international level to excuse a mistake. But the Manchester United star will be disappointed with her goalkeeping on the Netherlands' crucial second goal.
Beerensteyn's effort from just inside the box was hardly leathered with fury. But Earps let the ball fly straight through her hands.
On a night when England needed their stand-in captain to step up, Earps uncharacteristic error summed up a shocking night for Sarina Wiegman's team.
Mary Earps after England concede the crucial second goal3. England's makeshift defence can't hold firm
The big question mark hanging over England coming into this one was whether the defence could hold firm without first choice centre-backs Leah Williamson and Millie Bright. The latter's squad withdrawal at the 11th hour, was probably the final nail in the coffin for England's Nations League hopes.
The European Champions had made a positive start in the opening 10 minutes, using the crowd's energy to play at a high tempo. But the night turned after Victoria Pelova threaded through a superb pass between Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter.
England's makeshift centre-halves allowed Beerensteyn to get between them in the area. Once she swivelled to find space there was only one outcome. The Dutch's second was an Earps error, but Carter didn't clear her lines before Greenwood failed to show the Dutch forward on her outside.
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Beerensteyn had too much time to drill home her effort, even though Earps should have done better. In truth, it was a chastening night for England's backline who never looked truly at ease.
4. Hemp leads the line
After no goals in five games for her country coming into this one, Sarina Wiegman decided to shift Alessia Russo to the substitutes' bench. That meant Lauren Hemp was given a more central forward role, a position she flourished in on this very ground against the USA last year.
The Manchester City forward had the first big chance of the game, using her blistering pace to exploit the Dutch high line. Hemp forced a superb stop from Daphne van Domselaar, although bizarrely the officials awarded a goal kick rather than a corner.
Although she brought energy and movement to the role, Hemp looked to be having an off night in front of goal. That was until her stunning curling finish in the 60th minute that drew the hosts level. It was a well-deserved goal for Hemp, on the night she won a landmark 50th England cap at the age of just 23.
Beth Mead had not featured for England for over a year5. Beth Mead's return
She had to wait until half-time, but seeing Beth Mead back on the pitch in the England white was a truly special moment. The Arsenal forward had not featured for over a year at this level, but her introduction when England were trailing 2-0 seemed to lift the entire stadium.
Mead's direct running had the 75,000 crowd on tenterhooks, while the players around her seemed to find an extra confidence. Her presence changed the complexion of the tie, at this level that is not easy.
England may have a number of world class forwards. But perhaps tonight showed Mead is still the biggest weapon in Wiegman's attacking arsenal.