England’s Lionesses rout Scotland 6-0 but Olympic football dreams over

GLASGOW – England’s Lionesses were “disappointed and devastated” as they thrashed Scotland 6-0 in the Nations League on Dec 5, but it was not enough to keep alive their dreams of a Paris Olympic berth.

Lucy Bronze scored a last-gasp goal for the team, who briefly celebrated, believing it was enough to win Group A1 and move into the semi-finals of the competition, but the Netherlands’ Damaris Egurrola netted twice in added time as they beat Belgium 4-0 to clinch top spot.

“I’m very, very disappointed. That’s the biggest emotion right now. I am really proud of the performance. We delivered tonight, the team showed lots of character, but it is disappointing,” coach Sarina Wiegman said at Hampden Park.

Both countries finished with 12 points, but the Dutch edged out England on goal difference of just one.

“Obviously devastated to lose out on such small margins,” England’s Beth Mead told the BBC.

“We got the goals later on, we thought we’d maybe got over the line but, unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. It’s a tough one, the girls have worked really hard, I thought we were incredible. Unfortunately, it was out of our hands.”

England, runners-up at the recent World Cup, came from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-2 last week in a must-win game to set up the thrilling finale on Dec 5.

Lauren James scored two in the first half less than two minutes apart, while Mead netted in her first start with the World Cup finalists in more than a year due to a knee injury.

Alex Greenwood and Fran Kirby also scored for the Lionesses who were ruthless in their quest for goals, retrieving the ball from the net with no celebration to run back to the centre circle after each time they scored.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was “gutted” after conceding twice against the Netherlands, made a spectacular last-gasp save before Bronze added England’s sixth in the 93rd minute, pumping both fists in celebration.

Yet joy soon turned to sadness.

“I said to the players... I don’t know what to say because I’m very proud but we’re not through and that’s very disappointing,” Wiegman added.

“If you win 6-0, that doesn’t happen very often any more in the women’s game. Six goals is a lot. If the Netherlands also scored four goals, then it’s not enough.”

That was exactly what the Dutch did, as they and Germany booked their places in the Nations League Finals, where they will also fight for spots at the 2024 Olympic Games.

The Germans drew 0-0 in Wales but secured their passage thanks to Iceland’s 1-0 win over Denmark.

The Dutch and Germans will join France and world champions Spain in the semi-finals which take place in February.

The two finalists will qualify for Paris. If France – who are guaranteed a place as hosts of the Olympics – reach the final, the team winning the third-place play-off will also progress. REUTERS, AFP