Sweden 0-0 England
GOTHENBURG – Football may yet come home again. The Lionesses sealed qualification for Euro 2025 with a stalemate against Sweden, and they will defend their title in Switzerland without the arduousness of the play-offs. That is about where the certainties end.
Post-World Cup, there were two years to reset. That has now been slashed in half. The roar from Sarina Wiegman at full-time was one of relief and release as much as joy.
In this campaign England often failed to impress and before the pivotal turning point, a 2-1 win over France in Saint-Etienne, there looked a genuine possibility that the European champions would miss on the automatic spots.
A combination of problems, new and old, are rearing their heads.
Even in Australia last summer, there were concerns over the lack of goals in the early stages. Come the autumn, when on Team GB’s behalf England slipped up in the Nations League and failed to make the Olympics, it was a high line letting them down. Now the pressing questions are – well, pressing – and a dearth of cutting edge moments going forward.
Controlling possession against the Swedes is an impressive feat and England only needed a point to get the job done, but they did so feeling stale.
Across six matches home and away to France, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden, England have scored just once in the second half – and that was a penalty from Georgia Stanway against the Irish at Carrow Road.
Ordinarily they have relied on early momentum and here that did not materialise; neither side had a shot on target in the first half, the hosts clearly missing Stina Blackstenius.
England averaged just over a goal a game in the qualifiers and will somehow have to unlock a new level in Switzerland if they are to retain their crown.
Wiegman had made a bold call in once again selecting Hannah Hampton in goal over a fit again Mary Earps, one of the clearest indications that she has decided upon a new No 1. Hampton may have liked more chance to impress, making two key saves from Filippa Angeldal – one with a single hand – and while she spilled the ball three times, she did not get nearly enough protection from the officials, arguably fouled on each of those occasions.
Stanway’s effort from 25 yards was initially as close as England came, and Zecira Musovic was untroubled by Lucy Bronze’s header. Beth Mead is still edging slowly back to full form and fitness. Ella Toone could not create.
After that agonising final defeat to Spain (no, not that one), the time felt ripe for a mini-overhaul. In Sydney last August, Bronze and Millie Bright faced questions over their long-term futures, and it is testament to their longevity that they look poised to still be part of the set-up next year.
As a whole, though, England might wonder if the chance for Lionesses 3.0 has passed them by. A good opportunity to top the group definitely has, with France suffering a shock 3-1 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Cork.
On a seismic day for English football, perhaps one lesson from the Gareth Southgate era. Results are what matters, but performances do too. Onto Switzerland.
Wiegman: England men’s links ‘inappropriate’
Wiegman immediately shut down links to the England men’s job following Southgate’s resignation, insisting it was “inappropriate” to discuss it while she remains in charge of the Lionesses.
Southgate stepped down yesterday two days after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Wiegman and Southgate are the only two managers in history to have led an English national team to two major tournament finals, but she batted away suggestions she would be a candidate to take over from him.
‘I’m disappointed that he is going to leave,” she said after her side secured Euro 2025 qualification with a goalless draw in Sweden.
“I really like Gareth as a human being but also as a coach. I think it’s really inspirational what he has done, so well, for such a long time with the England team. That’s something to be really, really proud of and it makes England very proud.
“To be honest I think it’s really, really inappropriate to have that conversation [about replacing him]. I’m with England’s Lionesses, I’m very happy and that’s the top level.”
The Dutch head coach was also linked with Southgate’s job last summer after taking England to the World Cup final, just a year after winning the 2022 European Championship.
i understands the FA’s position has always been that they will consider candidates based on merit, not nationality or gender.
Wiegman was a relieved figure after leading England to second in Group A3 and admitted they “absolutely have to improve” ahead of next summer’s tournament.
“It’s good we have a year because you’re not going to change that overnight,” she said.
The stalemate in Gothenburg also intensified the battle for the No 1 shirt with Hannah Hampton selected in goal, but Wiegman revealed Mary Earps was “very professional and ready” to win her place back, adding: “The competition is really on.”
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