England’s recent track record now includes losses to Spain, the Netherlands, and Belgium, raising alarms over their Olympic qualification prospects.
England’s Olympic dream under Team GB’s banner has taken a hit after suffering yet another setback, this time at the hands of Belgium. The defeat makes it a troubling trend for the team, revealing glaring vulnerabilities that are becoming hard to ignore.
Having made it to the finals of the Women’s World Cup just a few months ago, the Lionesses couldn’t sustain their momentum, falling 3-2 to Belgium in Leuven. The result sees them in third place in the Women’s Nations League standings, with just two games left to play.
Alarmingly, this marks their third loss in five matches, shedding light on the Lionesses’ struggles to find the net and keep their defensive line intact. These issues are now front and center as England vies for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics as Team GB’s representative.
When quizzed about their Olympic chances, manager Sarina Wiegman was upfront with ITV: “We’ve got to outscore the Netherlands by at least two goals at Wembley in December, so there’s no shortage of work on our end. We’re in a tough spot right now.”
Wiegman had initially enjoyed a dream run as England’s manager, going undefeated for 30 games until a surprise loss to Australia derailed their record in a pre-World Cup friendly. Since that hiccup in Brentford, the team’s performance has waned, failing to consistently hit the high notes they managed during their victorious Euro 2022 campaign.
Despite reaching the World Cup finals, England had shown signs of inconsistency, with critics pointing to less-than-stellar performances on the road to the Sydney finals. Excluding their strong outings against China and Australia, the team has largely been lackluster, particularly when it comes to offensive creativity.
Coming into the new Women’s Nations League season, the Lionesses had a chance to start fresh and silence their critics. However, a narrow win over Scotland followed by a loss to the Netherlands didn’t exactly inspire confidence, even before the latest stumble against Belgium.
Injury setbacks to captain Leah Williamson and forward Beth Mead have certainly been a blow, but most of the problems in Leuven seemed to be of England’s own making. “We should have been more precise with our ball control,” said Wiegman. “We had chances, dominated the game, but let ourselves down, particularly with counter-attacks.”
Sarina Wiegman, who’s already secured four trophies with England since her arrival in September 2021, has some thinking to do. Defensive lapses from centre-backs Millie Bright and Jess Carter and a handball penalty from Georgia Stanway proved costly. Those mistakes, along with missed opportunities from Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly, Fran Kirby, and Lucy Bronze, played significant roles in England’s defeat.
Statistically speaking, England dominated possession at 73% and took 18 shots. However, only five were on target, while Belgium capitalized on three out of their five attempts. “It’s becoming a challenge to convert our chances,” Wiegman noted, clearly exasperated by the team’s inefficiency in front of the goal.
Although the Lionesses have lost just four times under Wiegman’s management, two of these losses came against supposedly weaker European sides in this competition. This raises red flags that need immediate attention.
Defender Lucy Bronze, however, is optimistic about navigating out of the group stage and into the Nations League semi-finals, thereby keeping their Olympic ambitions intact. “We’ve got a fighting chance,” Bronze said. “Our upcoming games are against the Netherlands and Scotland, both tough opponents. But we believe we can turn this around. It’s a steep hill to climb, but not insurmountable.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Olympic qualification
Who did England’s Lionesses recently lose to in the Women’s Nations League?
England’s Lionesses recently lost to Belgium in the Women’s Nations League with a score of 3-2.
What is the current status of England’s Olympic qualification?
The Olympic qualification for England’s Lionesses is now in jeopardy. They currently sit third in their Women’s Nations League group and must win the group to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
How many defeats has England suffered in their last five games?
England has faced three defeats in their last five matches, including this recent one against Belgium.
What challenges has the team faced recently?
The team has struggled with defensive errors and a lack of ruthlessness in scoring. They’ve also been affected by injuries to key players like Leah Williamson and Beth Mead.
What did Sarina Wiegman, England’s manager, say about their performance?
Sarina Wiegman said the team dominated the game and created lots of chances but were sloppy in possession. She emphasized that they have to do better in the final third and also avoid mistakes that make it hard for themselves.
Who are the key players who missed chances during the match against Belgium?
Alessia Russo, Rachel Daly, Fran Kirby, and Lucy Bronze missed key chances that contributed to England’s defeat against Belgium.
What is the team’s next big match?
The next big match for the Lionesses is against the Netherlands at Wembley Stadium. It is considered a must-win match if they want to keep their Olympic qualification hopes alive.
Is the team’s defensive performance up to par?
No, the team’s defensive performance has been a concern. They have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven matches and have conceded six goals in their four Women’s Nations League games.
How does Lucy Bronze feel about their current situation?
Lucy Bronze remains optimistic that the team can make it out of the group stages and into the Nations League semi-finals, thereby keeping their Olympic hopes alive.
What’s the mood within the team according to Wiegman?
Wiegman expressed frustration at the team’s inefficiency in front of the goal and said they’ve put themselves in a hard position at the moment but have work to do to turn things around.
More about Olympic qualification
- England Women’s Football Team Official Site
- Women’s Nations League Standings
- Interview with Sarina Wiegman on ITV
- Leah Williamson and Beth Mead Injury Updates
- 2024 Paris Olympics Women’s Football Qualification Rules
- Highlights of the England vs Belgium Match
- Sarina Wiegman’s Managerial Career
- Lucy Bronze’s Post-Match Interview
10 comments
If this was FIFA 22, I’d have rage-quit already. But real life doesn’t have a restart button. They better level up soon.
Ugh, those defensive errors are killing me. And why can’t we finish? So many missed chances. Wiegman better sort this out asap.
If this was a movie, it would be a drama turning into a tragedy. Hope they turn it around soon. Or it’s gonna be a sad ending folks.
Does anyone know the tech behind how they analyze these games? Like, do they use AI or something to spot weaknesses? Just curious.
Wow, what’s happening to the Lionesses? From World Cup finalists to this? They need to step up their game, big time!
Why is the Netherlands match a must-win? Didn’t we already lose to them? What’re the odds here?
ya know, it’s just a game. Why is everyone freaking out. They’ll bounce back.
If their performance was a song, it would be off-key. Seriously, need to harmonize their play or it’s no go for Paris.
Sarina Wiegman was like a superhero when she started, what happened? Kryptonite in the cleats or something?
I was planning on going to Paris for the 2024 Olympics mainly to watch them. Guess I should hold off on buying those tickets.