England boss Sarina Wiegman maintained full religion in her aspect to stage the beautiful second-half comeback that lifted the Lionesses to a 3-2 win over the Netherlands of their penultimate Girls’s Nations League group-stage conflict at Wembley.
Needing a victory to stay in competition to complete high in Group A1 and advance within the event, which serves as a qualifier for subsequent summer season’s Olympics in Paris, England rapidly dug themselves a gap after Lineth Beerensteyn netted twice earlier than the break to place the Dutch 2-0 up.
However the Lionesses battled again after the restart on a frigid evening in London, Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp stoking the gang again right into a frenzy by the hour mark earlier than substitute Ella Toone sealed a dramatic victory in stoppage time.
Ella Toone loves scoring massive targets at Wembley. pic.twitter.com/FCg8wvdwk7
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 1, 2023
Wiegman stated: “I used to be truly fairly calm. I used to be very disillusioned they scored the second purpose as a result of I didn’t suppose we performed dangerous. The second purpose we had been a little bit bit unfortunate, it was an pointless purpose. We didn’t play dangerous however we wanted some extra. We really believed we may flip it round. We by no means misplaced belief.
“At half-time we stated the sport was completely not over and that if we rating a purpose they’ll change into a bit shaky.
“They had been scuffling with the defence with how we performed in assault. We additionally did a tactical factor we wanted to do higher in defence. We stated everybody wanted to step up and convey one thing further. You possibly can inform the gamers gave every thing as a result of they had been actually drained.”
It leaves England in second place within the group, degree on factors with the Netherlands and one in entrance of Belgium, forward of concluding their group matches by taking part in Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday. Belgium drew 1-1 with Scotland in Friday’s different Group A1 contest.
All to play for in #UWNL Group A1 – with one recreation remaining! pic.twitter.com/mux5FvtjUy
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) December 1, 2023
England and the Dutch are degree when it comes to head-to-head document, with the latter – who face Belgium at residence subsequent week – having a purpose distinction superior by three, whereas England will end their group stage away at relegated Scotland on Tuesday.
Regardless of the victory, England’s keeper Mary Earps was left in tears as she spoke post-match in regards to the two targets the Lionesses conceded, the second of which noticed her get her glove to the ball solely to see it slip previous her and trickle in – one thing that left the Manchester United stopper beating the turf in frustration.
Realizing England wanted to win by two targets to take over on the high of the group, Earps advised ITV: “I believed the ladies had been unbelievable to return again into the sport. I believed they had been unbelievable, the subs that come on impacted the sport.
“I’m simply sorry that my efficiency has value the staff tonight.
“That [second goal] will hang-out me for a very long time at this time, I’m actually gutted as a result of it may have been a extremely particular evening.
“The staff had been unbelievable, don’t get me incorrect, the targets are unbelievable, the way in which that they performed and moved it round confirmed nice endurance at occasions, actual tenacity, actual depth to the play.
“I’m a competitor however when it’s not adequate, it’s not adequate and I can solely apologise to my team-mates and to the followers, I take that absolutely with my complete chest.”
The apology was completely pointless for Wiegman, who stated: “I spoke to her very shortly and I don’t need her to speak like that.
“We win as a staff and lose as a staff. That’s a part of the sport. In fact she didn’t just like the staff down, everybody does her finest. You solely let the staff down once you don’t put effort into the sport and we by no means don’t put effort in.
“Everybody stepped up. We wanted to step up as a staff. I feel everybody did that.”
