England Women: Lions face first competitive challenge after Euro 2022 success | Football news

A month after lifting the Euro 2022 trophy, England’s Lions returned to St George’s Park this week, back to something close to normal after a whirlwind of record-breaking achievement. this summer.

With the buzz from their 2-1 extra-time win over Germany in the Wembley final on July 31 just beginning to subside, Sarina Wiegman’s side have now set their sights on their next goals as they continue their winning streak. translate World Cup qualifiers away to Austria. on Saturday.

After returning from Vienna, England will meet Luxembourg in front of a sold-out crowd in Stoke, knowing that their Euro success puts new expectations on their shoulders. “It’s a goal behind your back but the pressure is a privilege,” defender Rachel Daly was recently quoted as saying.

Saturday’s match will also see England start life without influential duo Jill Scott and Ellen White, both of whom have announced their retirement since winning the Euros, bringing with them 274 times of experience with the national team.

That has opened the door for players like Lauren James, 20, and Ebony Salmon, 21, who have been added to Wiegman’s youthful squad, while Fran Kirby is absent due to a foot problem.

England are yet to lose under Wiegman, who celebrated one year as England manager this week, with the Lionesses amassing 18 wins from 20 games in all competitions (D2), scoring 106 goals – an average of 5.3 per game.

Wiegman: Women’s Games Need to Think Bigger

Wiegman insists there will be no room for complacency after Euro 2022, while she thinks the women’s match has yet to reach its peak despite the success of the summer tournament.

“Yes, we have some changes against the euro,” she said. “But you also have to adapt to new situations. We have solutions. Of course, we are in a good position with the players we have at this level.

“It’s completely different – coming from the Euro [the support] was really good. This stadium [on Saturday] small. I thought we’d like to see some more people, which was a bit disappointing.

“The women’s game is growing to the point where we need to think a little bigger. We can play in bigger stadiums. It’s good that it’s sold out but I hope in the future. they will make a different decision.”

Analysis: Who Fills Ellen White’s Seismic Gap?

Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:

The answer to this is simple, right? There isn’t a soul on the planet that hasn’t been moved by Alessia Russo’s famous heel-to-toe strike against Norway, not to mention the three other goals she amassed during Euro 2022 – of which had a particularly great turn and finish against Northern Ireland.

But Russo has challengers. He has more than one worthy candidate waiting on the wing.

They could qualify for next year’s World Cup if they only avoid defeat to Austria on Saturday, but that won’t be enough for Wiegman. She will want to put a marker. The Lionesses, who now bring the element of fear aside after setting aside Europe’s elites, cannot lose the allure of that trembling. Especially not on the world stage.

Fortunately, the British team just continued to expand. Salmon replaced White in the squad after establishing a reputation in the US as a speedy striker with an eye for goals. She will be competing with Chelsea’s Russo and Bethany England for a spot in England’s fluid three-way forward. “She’s just a real goalscorer,” Wiegman said of Salmon when discussing her most recent picks.

Remind you of who?

White’s handing over of the baton completely coincided with the emergence of British attacking talent. James has also been added to the mix and provides an entirely different dimension. That was before the likes of Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp, and Ella Toone were specifically mentioned. This brave squad is stacked with threats on target.

White retired at the height of his career, but paved the way for future generations of aspirants. He has 52 goals in 113 senior appearances that can never be beaten, but with England’s increasingly rich attack you wouldn’t bet on that.