S Poddar
Alessia Russo was quick to make her mark, scoring England’s first goal within five minutes against the Republic of Ireland. Despite the early success, the match ended with a 2-1 victory that left room for improvement as England prepares for a crucial Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden.
Although the Lionesses secured the win, they conceded a late goal and missed several key opportunities, prompting manager Sarina Wiegman to describe the play as “sloppy.” The team dominated possession, yet struggled with finishing, a point Russo acknowledged needed addressing before facing Sweden, who trail England by three points.
Russo expressed the team’s commitment to higher standards and the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities. She emphasized the need for recovery and improvement ahead of the next match, aiming to correct their inefficiencies.
Former England defender Gilly Flaherty echoed these sentiments, finding the performance at Carrow Road “disappointing” despite the victory. She highlighted England’s numerous missed chances and the necessity for a more clinical approach.
The match saw Russo score an early goal thanks to a precise pass from Beth Mead, while Georgia Stanway doubled the lead with a penalty in the second half. However, a late goal from Julie Russell for the Republic of Ireland underscored England’s vulnerability. Jess Carter, Lauren Hemp, and Mead all faced tough saves from Irish goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, with several players hesitating to shoot when well-positioned.
Wiegman pointed out that the team had been focusing on decision-making during training, which may have led to some hesitation. She encouraged her players to take more shots when opportunities arise.
Despite dominating much of the game, England showed signs of sloppiness after the first goal. Currently second in their group, they trail leaders France, who recently defeated Sweden. The top two teams in each League A group qualify for Euro 2025, while the other two face play-offs.
A draw against Sweden in Gothenburg would secure England’s place in the finals in Switzerland. Wiegman stressed the importance of the upcoming match, noting the high stakes and the need for top-level performance to avoid the play-offs.
