Lionesses have plenty to look forward to despite cruel end to Nations League
Chaos and confusion.
Two words perhaps, more than any other, sum up England's maiden Women’s Nations League campaign. Every step on the road since September has felt bewildering, with riddles at each corner. Why are England playing on behalf of Team GB? Why are Scotland not? Is this a conflict of interest? How does a team get relegated? Why is VAR not in use? What matters more, the tournament itself or qualification for the Olympics?
It all felt a tad strange. England won their last two group games, but at the end of both, they had the body language of a beaten team. Against both Netherlands and Scotland, the ensuing chaos of the previous 90 minutes left them victorious, yet perplexed.
Even when the full-time whistle went in their final fixture they were, somehow, sneaking through to the Nations League finals. Yet only minutes later it all ended in crushing disappointment.
The Lionesses' hopes of competing (as Team GB) at the Paris Olympics, and potentially winning another trophy fizzled out into the cold Glaswegian air. And it was a goal over 700 miles away in Nijmegen that made the final difference.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
A 95th-minute strike for the Netherlands in their 4-0 victory over Belgium, proved the final twist of a rollercoaster campaign. One last moment of chaos and this time there was no way back. In the bowels of Hampden Park an hour later, Sarina Wiegman had a rare chance to pause and assess the last few months.
“The World Cup was really, really intense and we had a lot of things thrown at us,” said the England boss. “We performed at a really high level and made the final.
Beth Mead celebrates England's fourth goal against Scotland“After that there was hardly any rest and we went straight into the Nations League - which I think is good that the Nations League is there, because it’s more competitive games - and I think that we played well in the Nations League, and we had some moments where we struggled, and that was punished.”
At times it has been exhausting just watching, let alone playing or coaching in this campaign. England didn’t play particularly well in narrow home victories over Scotland and Belgium at home but did just enough to get over the line.
They were maybe a tad unlucky to lose over in Holland in September, the Dutch benefiting from a lack of VAR in their opening goal. Equally, at times England defended naively against a good team and paid the price.
But the result that really cost them was a Halloween horror show away to Belgium. In a dramatic see-saw game, Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby had England in control, and then Tessa Wullaert scored twice, including the winner from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.
It was a result that visibly rocked the England players. They had lost games and dealt with setbacks under Wiegman before, but this was easily the most shocking. In the long run, it proved fatal.
That loss meant that by the time Christmas trees were being put up, England were requiring snookers to advance. Remarkably, they very nearly got them.
At Wembley against the Dutch, the Lionesses found their heart, roaring back from 2-0 to win 3-2, Ella Toone doing Ella Toone things in the dying minutes. But it led to mixed emotions after the final whistle. The European Champions were still alive, but their fate was out of their hands. They needed to win by two goals to have a greater head-to-head record. Chaos causing confusion again.
England's defeat in Belgium eventually proved costly to their Nations League and Olympic ambitions (The FA via Getty Images)It was a scenario that didn’t suit Wiegman or her team. Every success they have had over the last two years has been achieved through measure and control. Now they needed favours. The goal glut at Hampden Park, against a surprisingly bad Scotland, was impressive. But it was also too little, too late.
Man Utd boss Skinner sends firm message to Arsenal over Russo contract saga
Wiegman wanted her team to “go wild” in attack. They did but fell one goal short. Once again a win didn’t feel like a win. Players consoled each other rather than danced to Sweet Caroline. It all felt very peculiar, very un-England.
Over the six games, it has always felt as if the Lionesses were chasing, rather than setting the pace. Eventually, they ran out of road. And perhaps it was always going to end like this, with the players left confused, anxious and tired on the cold Hampden turf having given everything.
But those players should take heart from a remarkable 2023. The historic run to the World Cup final, without three key players, was gutsy, and heroic and made you want to burst with national pride.
England are out of the Nations League despite a huge win against Scotland (The FA via Getty Images)Two more trophies were collected, and memories were made. The Nations League may have ended in disappointment, but Wiegman and her team made sure they were still in the mix on the final night. Football’s a cruel game and they lost out on the barest of margins, it’s hardly a disaster. It’s also easy to lose perspective.
A decade ago, England lost all three group games at the European Championships. The team were terrible, left with a whimper and the status of women’s football at the time meant it barely registered in the wider national sporting conscience.
Today England’s internationals will wake up with plenty to look forward to. The Eurostar to Paris may not be needed, but the 2025 Euros in Switzerland will soon be on the horizon. “We’ll be back” a composed Wiegman vowed at Hampden. You’d be foolish to think otherwise.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
