Wiegman fires defiant World Cup message despite first Lionesses defeat

11 April 2023 , 21:51

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Sarina Wiegman during the loss to Australia

Sarina Wiegman says she is not worried about losing momentum ahead of the World Cup after the Lionesses suffered a first loss under her management against Australia.

Wiegman tasted defeat for the first time as Lionesses boss, with the Matildas winning thanks to goal in each half. Sam Kerr capitalised on a rare Leah Williamson error before Charlotte Grant's header deflected in off the England skipper after the break to end the Lionesses' winning streak.

But Wiegman refused to panic despite the loss and insisted England will still go to the World Cup finals full of confidence. The two sides could meet again in the last 16 at the tournament this summer, if they both win their groups.

"This is a big learning moment for us," said Wiegman. "I'm not worried about losing momentum. We know we have to be at our top level - that is when we go to the World Cup too.

"Every game we have some warnings. It was the same against Brazil. We know where we want to go to and what we need to do. This is a moment, but I don't think we are losing momentum, it is building, it is 100 days to go and everyone is excited.

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"This just shows we need to get to a higher level to win these games.

"We don't talk about the (unbeaten) run at all. We talk about the next game and how to improve. It would be nice to have the 31st game unbeaten, but sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."

England struggled for fluency on a sodden Brentford pitch, but there was very little in the game until Williamson's error gave Sam Kerr a simple chance. With Australia producing a disciplined defensive display, the Lionesses failed to create genuine clear-cut chances, although Rachel Daly headed narrowly wide with less than 20 minutes to play.

"We had a lot of possession but struggled to stretch them," explained Wiegman. "Their counter-attack was very dangerous.

"I think we can expect opponents we come up against to drop a little deeper - we have to find solutions to this."

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Jack Lacey-Hatton