England will have the opportunity to retain their European crown in Switzerland next summer as they secured Euro 2025 qualification on Tuesday evening.
A goalless draw in Gothenburg against Sweden was enough on the night, but it was far nervier than the Lionesses would have hoped. After dominating the first half, England failed to muster a shot on target until after the break.
The hosts grew into the game and ended as the better side. Sweden had chances to clinch it, but England just about held on to the result, even if they were fortunate to do so.
Here are five things we learned from England’s draw against Sweden and what it means moving forward.
Job done, as they say. A draw was all England needed to get over the line on Tuesday night and that very much showed as the game entered its latter stages.
Sweden’s desperation was evident in the second half as they threw bodies forward and, naturally, England retreated when put under sustained pressure. Their free-flowing, slick football that was on show in the first 45 minutes became dishevelled and nervy after the break.
Arguably, it shouldn’t matter how they got over the line. What matters is they did. It was one of the toughest qualifying groups with France and Sweden, both ranked in the top 10 of FIFA’s Women’s world ranking, and England did well to navigate a tough run of fixtures.
Much like the game against the Republic of Ireland, eyebrows will have been raised when the team news dropped on Tuesday evening. Hannah Hampton kept her place in the starting lineup ahead of Mary Earps.
Hampton’s inclusion against Ireland was understandable given Earps had recently recovered from a hip injury. However, there was a feeling the former Manchester United goalkeeper would return to the fold for what was a must-not-lose game.
That wasn’t the case and there was a sense Sarina Wiegman’s selection on Tuesday was a significant statement. Earps has major tournament experience, which works in her favour, but she now faces the difficult task of reclaiming the no.1 jersey from Hampton.
The manager’s comments post-match were telling. When asked how close England are to fulfilling their potential, Wiegman admitted they require a year to get where they need to be.
Standards in Europe are improving and the competition is as tough as it has ever been. Spain remain the side to beat, even 12 months out from the Euros, and will undoubtedly be the firm favourites in Switzerland.
After a staggering 30-game unbeaten run at the beginning of the Dutchwoman’s tenure, England’s form over the last 12 months has been largely inconsistent. If they’re to have any chance of retaining their European crown next summer, they will need to rediscover the ruthless form that served them so well in 2022.
With qualification now beyond doubt, there are no excuses when it comes to team selection and in-game substitutions. Wiegman understandably relies on the more experienced heads in the squad – after all, they ultimately guided England to Euro glory in 2022 and a World Cup final in 2023.
However, it’s fair to say the last 12 months have laid bare their shortcomings. After a strenuous Nations League campaign and an even more gruelling qualifying group, England have looked tired and laboured at times.
Wiegman will need to use the year ahead to bed in the youngsters and build their experience. Grace Clinton and Jess Park have impressed in recent months, but they are still not trusted in games when the stakes are high. That will need to change before England kick off their Euro 2025 campaign in Switzerland next summer.
Leah Williamson has shown in the last few games why she is so integral to the way England play. As a player who places such high expectations on herself, she may not admit it, but she is close to getting back to her best.
Despite one nervy moment in the second half when she was fortunate not to concede a penalty for sliding into a challenge on Rosa Kafaji, she barely put a foot wrong all night. She stopped countless Sweden counter-attacks, mopped up after her teammates and stepped into midfield when necessary to keep things ticking for England.
She is, without a doubt, England’s best defender at present and it goes to show how big of a miss she truly was at the World Cup last year. It is absolutely vital she stays fit for the Euros next summer as the Lionesses’ hopes of winning will drastically reduce if she’s not there.
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