Sarina Wiegman pleased with England’s development before Euro title defence
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England defender Lucy Bronze (far left) scoring the opener in their 5-0 Group A3 Women’s Nations League rout of Belgium.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Manager Sarina Wiegman is happy with the improvement England showed in their 5-0 Women’s Nations League rout of Belgium on April 4 as she prepares for their European Championship title defence in July.
England ended 2024 on a shaky note, losing 4-3 to Germany in a friendly in October following a loss to France and a draw with Sweden in the Euro qualifiers.
In February, England were held 1-1 by Portugal in the Nations League but bounced back with back-to-back wins over Spain and Belgium, placing them at the top of their group.
“It’s the preparation for the Euros. If you get the opportunity to see many players that are knocking on the door and different combinations, that’s really nice,” Wiegman told reporters on April 4.
“We need to keep having these connections because I do feel something is happening and we are getting closer.
“Of course, winning helps. I think we’re developing. I also thought we were developing in October and November, but we had results we didn’t really like.”
First-half headers from Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright set England on the road to beating Belgium at Ashton Gate in Bristol. There were maiden Lionesses goals from Aggie Beever-Jones and Keira Walsh, with substitute Jess Park also contributing to the lopsided 5-0 win.
The two sides meet again on April 8 in Leuven.
Elsewhere, world champions Spain downed Portugal 4-2 to go second, one point behind England in Group A3.
Germany were also in trigger-happy mood, routing Scotland at Dundee’s Tannadice Park 4-0.
Scotland conceded their first goal after less than a minute, following a terrific strike from Elisa Senss.
The hosts responded well and were in the match until Scotland’s Germany-born defender Sophie Howard’s own goal.
The world No. 3 side completed Scotland’s miserable night with goals from Cora Zicai and Lea Schuller.
Scotland have plenty of food for thought before they meet again in Wolfsburg on April 8.
Germany are top of their group on goal difference from the Netherlands, 3-1 winners over Austria, with Sherida Spitse becoming the joint-most capped European player.
France, who lost to Spain in the 2024 Nations League final, beat Women’s Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland 2-0 in St Gallen.
Sandy Baltimore opened the scoring, with Selma Bacha’s powerful long strike lifting France five points clear at the top of their group from Norway, whom they face in Oslo on April 8.
The four League A group winners will qualify for the Finals.
The group standings also determine the teams contesting promotion and relegation matches. They will determine their starting league position in the European qualifiers for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, running through 2026. REUTERS, AFP
