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England fans couldn’t have anticipated a more entertaining Wembley Stadium performance, but Sarina Wiegman did not resist the urge to be more experimental. How much did she actually learn from it?
The Lionesses have won three of their four friendly matches, which were intended as a “homecoming” celebration, since winning Euro 2025.
Their most recent was a 4-0 victory over China on Saturday night, which was not their best effort.
Although the display, which included a Georgia Stanway hat-trick, was understandably entertaining, China had real lack of competition.
England were in charge of the game, dominating 70% of the ball, as they won. It was the tried-and-true players who put the ball on the scoresheet.
By half-time, they had led by 5-0, and Wiegman claimed she had learned something from the performance.
“Yes, of course, the game always teaches us something.” We really wanted to get things moving forward,” said Wiegman.
They started playing really well after a few minutes of playing in a slightly different shape than what we anticipated.
You saw how good we are after we had a little more time on the ball. We had a good relationship, and we did well, in my opinion.
A chance to experiment even more was missed?
What purpose does this match serve, Brian, one BBC Sport live text reader, put it. It is a waste of time for England.
Could Wiegman have given some of England’s unfamiliar stars more minutes after such a brilliant display, which the 74, 611 inside Wembley Stadium undoubtedly enjoyed?
Karen Bardsley, the former England goalkeeper, stated on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra 2: “I think the chance may have been missed to start a few more debutants or to give players more caps, perhaps even make some changes a little sooner.
We anticipated a quarter of the first half of the game knowing it would be comfortable.
Instead of getting anything the fans are really going to learn from a tactical standpoint, they felt like they had an opportunity to come and see the players.
It would have been great to see Lucia Kendall at Wembley from the beginning since she impressed in her debut last month against Australia, winning 3-1. She did come on, but only after England had already led with a 6 0 0 score in the 68th minute.
Freya Godfrey, 20, received her first call-up this week, and Taylor Hinds picked up her second cap, but only played 15 minutes.
Due to her team’s dominance, goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, the one player given a debut, had little chance to impress.
Aggie Beever-Jones missed out on regular number nine Alessia Russo due to a lack of experience in the middle and front lines in the starting XI.
Lotte Wubben-Moy, an injury-hit defense, was still on the bench, but things did change.
Before kick-off, Ian Wright said on ITV, “At some point, that has to happen]to see more youngsters. We want to see more of those players.
We need to know that there are players who can step up and succeed in the World Cup in 2027, “I believe.”
This is a chance to do that through friendlies.
World Cup qualification and a double header against 2026 world champion Spain are in order for stiff competition that starts in March.
While an 8-0 win should be applauded, Wiegman does not have much to gain when connections are made between players who may not return in two years. It is unusual for her to not feel pressure on her shoulders.
When England had taken the lead so decisively and early on, could Wiegman have altered things even more?
When we add three substitutes at half-time, she said, “We take every game seriously,” she said.
There are many players knocking on the door because our squad is 25. Everyone desires to play.
Mead has always been a wise player, she said.
It was a simpler evening than many people had anticipated because the national team had not played together since July and the domestic league came to an end on September 28.
However, it did not diminish England’s impressive performance.
China struggled to put on a glove despite England’s relentless, clinical, and composed nature, aside from a few set pieces early on.
Beth Mead, the top-scoring player for the Euro 2022 season and who has seen increased competition for her spot in the side, was one of the standout performers.
When she connects so well with right-back Lucy Bronze and creates numerous opportunities from wide positions, Wiegman is understandably so frequently turning to Mead in big games.
Russo and Lauren Hemp had plenty of opportunities in the opening half, and almost everything came out of her lap.
“I think that showed today,” Mead told BBC Radio 5 Live, “Me, Georgia] Stanley and Lucy] have had the opportunity to play together for a number of years.”
We filled in for each other, filled in for each other, and caused issues for their left. “We found the spaces,” he said.
Mead may have been the star of the three-year film, but she’s still making money, so has she changed?
She appears to have improved. She’s always been a smart player, picking up positions, remaining calm in the final third, and always keeping the camera on her,” said Wiegman.
She did that as well today. We’ve asked her to do more rotations, pick up more positions, and feel free to do that.
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