Sweden 0-0 England
GOTHENBURG — Football may be back on home soil. The Lionesses qualified for Euro 2025 with a draw with Sweden and will defend their title in Switzerland without the rigors of a playoff round. That’s as far as certainty goes.
It took two years to reset after the World Cup. Now it’s been cut in half. Sarina Wiegmann’s scream at the end of the game was one of joy, relief and liberation.
England have often failed to impress this season and it looked like the European champions might actually miss out on an automatic spot until their crucial 2-1 win over France in Saint-Etienne.
A combination of new and old problems is beginning to rear its ugly head.
A lack of early goals was a concern in Australia last summer, and then a high line let them down as England failed to make the Nations League and miss out on the Olympics in the autumn. Now the pressing questions are just as pressing, and so are the lack of defining moments going forward.
It was a masterful display of possession against Sweden, with England needing just one point to win but achieving it whilst feeling stagnant.
England have scored just one second-half goal in six matches, home and away against France, the Republic of Ireland and Sweden – a penalty scored by Georgia Stanway against Ireland at Carrow Road.
They have usually relied on early momentum but that did not happen here: neither team had a shot on goal in the first half and the home team were noticeably without Stina Blackstenius.
England are averaging just over a goal per game in the qualifiers and will have to reach a new level in Switzerland if they are to defend their title.
Coach Wiegman made the bold decision to start Hannah Hampton in goal over the once again fit Mary Earps, the clearest indication of her choice of new number one. Hampton may have been hoping for a chance to impress more, having made two one-handed saves off Filippa Angeldal’s shots, and she even received insufficient protection from the referee despite spilling the ball three times and being fouled each time.
Stanway’s shot from 25 yards was the closest England came initially, then Zecila Musovic was undeterred by a Lucy Bronze header. Beth Mead, still slowly returning to full fitness and Ella Toone failed to create any chances.
After a tough final defeat to Spain (no, not that Spain), the time felt ripe for a mini-overhaul, and while Bronze and Millie Bright raised doubts about their long-term futures in Sydney last August, it’s testament to their longevity that they’re likely to remain in the team next year.
But overall, England Lioness 3.0 France missed out on top spot in the group, and their best chance of doing so has certainly passed, as they suffered a shock 3-1 defeat to the Republic of Ireland in Cork.
A tumultuous day for English football and perhaps one of the lessons from the Gareth Southgate era: results matter, but performances matter too. Next up, Switzerland.
Wiegman: England men’s rinks ‘inappropriate’
Wiegman was quick to deny being linked with the England manager job following Southgate’s resignation, claiming it would be “inappropriate” to discuss it while he was in charge.
Southgate resigned on Tuesday, two days after his team’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Wiegman and Southgate are the only two managers in history to lead the England national team to two major finals, but Southgate has dismissed suggestions he could be a candidate to replace Wiegman.
“It’s a shame to see him go,” she said after her team qualified for Euro 2025 with a goalless draw in Sweden.
“I really like Gareth as a person but also as a coach and it’s really inspiring that he’s done such a great job with the England national team for so long. It’s something to be really proud of and something to be very proud of for England.”
“To be honest, I think it’s really inappropriate to have that conversation. [about replacing him]”I’m part of the England Lionesses team, I’m very happy and it’s at the highest level.”
The Dutch manager was also linked with Southgate’s job last summer after leading England to the World Cup final just a year after winning the 2022 European Championships.
I My understanding is that the FA’s position was that they would consider candidates on the basis of merit, not nationality or gender.
Wiegman seemed relieved after leading England to second place in Group A3 and acknowledged they “absolutely have to improve” ahead of next summer’s tournament.
“It’s good to have a year because things aren’t going to change overnight,” she said.
The stalemate in Gothenburg meant Hampton was selected as goalkeeper and the battle for the number one shirt intensified, but Wiegman revealed Earps was “very professional and ready to reclaim his place”, adding that “the competition is really on”.