When England were consigned to the World Cup play-offs back in June, it felt like a massive step backwards. How were the European champions not a shoo-in for the next major tournament in the international calendar?
The Lionesses only missed out by a whisker, finishing their qualifying campaign with 15 points from a possible 18. Just one result away. But it’s difficult to overlook how we got here. England’s 4-0 defeat to Spain was an eye-opener, their biggest margin of loss for 17 years. The heaviest of Sarina Wiegman’s time in charge.
It highlighted a gulf that felt more technical than tactical. In the moment, Spain showed themselves to be streets ahead in style and substance. A team with a plan, rooted in DNA and identity. Their possession-dominant performance blew England away.
The ignominy of the scoreline actually managed to flatter the losers rather than the other way around. And bigger picture, that poses a significant problem for Wiegman. Is a rivalry that was previously highly competitive now partial to Spanish supremacy?
The boss was at a loss to explain why England suffered for so long in a game that she expected to be “very tight”. “What I’m trying to do now is think, what caused this?”
Hopefully by now, some of that soul searching has offered answers. Wiegman will be grateful not to have to prepare her side to play Spain on this ocassion, but Greece, a nation ranked 55 places below England in international status. The Lionesses are fierce favourites to progress across two legs.
England were totally outclassed by Spain in June
Perhaps this window presents an opportunity, then. A chance to stress test England’s resilience under pressure ahead of next year’s World Cup tournament in Brazil. Clearly the most important outcome is getting there. But how they do it is relevant, too.
Those nations who consistently dominate international football are masters of reinvention. This is England’s platform to prove themselves capable of that.
Wiegman has selected a squad of reliables mixed with a few wild cards, which will be welcome news to those critics (myself included) that believe England would benefit from an injection of fresh energy. Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone have been left behind. Chelsea’s Lexi Potter has been named in her first senior squad. Captain Leah Williamson also returns after missing June’s fixtures.
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Sarina Wiegman has demanded more from Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone after the pair were left out of the England squad.
None of that constitutes a huge shake-up but is evidence of an intentioned move towards form-based decision making over reputational clout. In the thick of a World Cup cycle, that is the smartest play.
Potter is a precocious young talent who has thrived for Chelsea in a role alongside Keira Walsh this season. That pairing shows plenty of promise if Wiegman is looking for a tidy balance between ball winners and ball players in midfield. The boss believes Potter has already shown herself to be “comfortable” against top level opposition. Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall, 22, and 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson of North Carolina Courage are of similar ilk.
England’s risk will of course have to be managed. They must accept these two games for what they are: must win. This next period is effectively their punishment for such severe underperformance in defeat to Spain three months ago. The reality of retribution.
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Nikita Parris and Jordan Nobbs discuss Lexi Potter’s maturity for Chelsea this season.
And yet, the upshot might be beneficial. The Lionesses are clearly not World Cup ready and playing games of real consequence should help that. Ideally new faces stake a claim for a permanent place but it’s equally important Wiegman’s leaders turn up, too.
England’s fear factor is built on their nucleus of world-beaters. Get Walsh pulling the strings, Lauren Hemp crashing down the wing and Lauren James firing worldies. Ask Williamson to be brave stepping out of defence. Lucy Bronze to take no prisoners. Alessia Russo to finish the move that tells the world England remain a creative force. Above all, be fearless.
While the other already-qualified European superpowers – France, Germany and Spain – watch on from their sofas, England must prove, beyond any doubt, that they deserve to join them.
The play-off route
England’s path to next summer’s tournament in Brazil is via two play-off rounds.
Round 1 takes place over two legs this month and is split into two paths. England are in path 1, drawn against Greece. They travel to Crete for the first leg at the Pankritio Stadium in Heraklion this Friday, before hosting at the King Power Stadium next Tuesday.
Round 2 is scheduled for late November. If successful, England will face the winners of Slovakia vs Ukraine, again with the away fixture played first.