In one movement, as Brazil slipped past Jess Carter and sent Katie Robinson the wrong way, England’s World Cup credentials briefly flashed before their eyes. It was quickly forgotten by the time Chloe Kelly had scored her winning Finalissima penalty and the Lionesses had lifted their third trophy in 10 months; but it was the first real reckoning England have had as to whether winning a fourth in Sydney this summer will be a pipe dream too far.
Before Sarina Wiegman’s side pack for Australia, they must first do some reverse hospitality, welcoming the Matildas to Brentford’s Gtech Stadium. Aside from one final international break this summer, it is their last chance to prepare for the World Cup.
The risks are familiar, though this will be a diminished Australia posing less of a threat than Brazil. Chelsea striker Sam Kerr is expected to return after being rested in Australia’s 1-0 defeat to Scotland, but they will be without Arsenal duo Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley.
That, ostensibly, is two thirds of what would normally make facing Australia a more daunting prospect; they will almost certainly lose the midfield battle again, especially if Keira Walsh replicates last Thursday’s performance.
What Wiegman needs to see is control, which was totally conceded at Wembley last week. The Lionesses boss has done her bit, promising to limit any more tinkering as she decides on the XI that will lead England out in their first group game against Haiti in July.
This week, defender Steph Houghton issued an ultimatum that is unlikely to have endeared herself to Wiegman. In an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, the former captain admitted she had found her ongoing exile “mentally tough”, adding: “Sometimes no matter what you do, you’re not going to please someone.
“I just want closure on the situation. Have I got a chance, or is it not possible? But, I understand she can’t provide that closure because there’s a World Cup coming up and you’ve got to have as many players available.
“I respect what she has done for the country and I’m proud of all the girls and what they’ve achieved, but as a professional footballer you want to be playing in the best teams and tournaments and the World Cup is certainly that.”
Alex Greenwood’s injury may have left the back four temporarily looking a little threadbare, but come the summer Millie Bright will be fit again and there is unlikely to be room for Houghton who is quite right – no matter how she finishes the campaign with Manchester City, she is seemingly pushing against a locked door.
Instead Wiegman’s real dilemmas come in attack. Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly are expected to be her preferred front three, but that is before Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly’s roles are finalised. Hemp could be deployed behind the front three, though as it stands she will likely be an impact sub.
Only Khadija Shaw has more goals than Daly since the Aston Villa forward’s return to England, and Wiegman has taken note – she is no longer considered a left-back for club or country. Hemp, meanwhile, has as many goals as James in the WSL this term – on that note Beth England has just one less than Russo thanks to a resurgence since joining Tottenham, but she was overlooked for April’s fixtures.
Nikita Parris, Jess Park and Ebony Salmon have the remainder of the season to ensure they are part of the conversation too. And it is only that simple because Beth Mead would need a “miracle”, in Wiegman’s words, to return from her ACL tear in time for the World Cup and Fran Kirby’s fitness remains an ongoing issue.
After the narrow victory over Brazil, Wiegman stopped short of admitting it had been a “wake-up call”, which is about right. England will have to be better to win the World Cup, but they still have another opportunity to get it right.
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