England boss Sarina Wiegman has praised her crew’s collective effort to earn a vital 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday evening.
The Lionesses put Friday’s defeat to the identical opponents firmly behind them as they scored twice within the first half in Saint-Etienne. Targets from Georgia Stanway and Alessia Russo set the crew on their technique to a much-needed victory.
Regardless of the specter of a late comeback from France, after Leah Williamson tripped Grace Geyoro within the field and Kadidiatou Diani calmly dispatched the ensuing penalty kick, England dug deep to cling on to their slender lead.
The consequence doesn’t drastically alter the outlook of their UEFA Girls’s Euro 2025 qualifying group; England nonetheless sit third behind Sweden on aim distinction, but it surely does considerably increase their probabilities of computerized qualification for subsequent summer season’s match in Switzerland.
“The crew effort,” Wiegman instructed ITV post-match, talking on what happy her most concerning the efficiency. “In fact, you realize the second half goes to be totally different since you’re 2-0 up and they’re going to push. We labored so laborious to remain collectively to get the win.”
Russo was among the many standout performers on the evening. Not solely did her aim give the Lionesses a cushty lead heading into the break, however her hold-up play, positioning and drive was one of many key driving forces behind what was some of the full first half performances beneath the present supervisor.
“She’s working so laborious on that, holding [the ball] up but in addition being in the suitable positions within the build-up and after we enter the ultimate third,” Wiegman added, when requested about Russo’s contributions. “You noticed right now and I believed on Friday she performed a correct sport, too. You see how necessary that’s as a result of the crew can then transfer up [the pitch] too.”
Though Friday’s end in Newcastle was a sucker-punch blow for Wiegman and her gamers, there have been loads of positives for the England supervisor to take. That was evident in her crew choice on Tuesday as she caught by the identical gamers, with only one change as Hannah Hampton got here in for the injured Mary Earps.
“On Friday I feel we performed components of the sport very well,” Wiegman concluded. “However, within the remaining third and defending corners, we didn’t do nicely.
“Immediately we conceded the primary nook on 70 minutes, in order that was already so much higher. First half I feel was the most effective we’ve ever performed. I feel we created round six enormous probabilities to attain objectives, in order that was actually good.”