Euro 2025: Can the Lionesses Triumph Again?
Sarina Wiegman
Three years ago, the Sarina Wiegman led Lionesses ended English football’s trophy drought, winning the Euros on home soil.
Success continued to follow for England, despite injuries to Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, they would make it to the World Cup Final a year on from their Euro’s triumph.
The Lionesses have ebbed and flowed through the last two years, and whilst the likes of Ella Toone and Alessia Russo remain a key contingent of the side’s plans, this is a far different team to 2022.
The run to the World Cup Final was an unpredicted wild ride, England will head to Switzerland with expectations of success as they look to retain their trophy.
So, with different personnel, the shadow of expectation and three years of cementing this team on the global map, can the Lionesses do it again?
The atmosphere of this England team has changed drastically. Whilst Williamson remains captain, the leadership roles within the squad have moved. Mary Earps, key to the sides run in 2023 has retired from international football, alongside Fran Kirby, who played 77 times for the national team.
Millie Bright, who was captain in Williamson’s place at the World Cup, has taken a leave of absence from the team.
Whilst Wiegman would have liked some of the old guard, this squad is as strong as could have been hoped for.
Russo and Toone are no longer young prospects but firm quality at the top of their game. 26-year-old Russo is coming off the back of winning the Champions League with Arsenal and scoring in six of her last 10 games for the Lionesses.
To fill the formative roles of Russo and Toone, England isn’t short of talent. Despite her World Cup discretions, Lauren James is back and a the top of her game, Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones can play anywhere across a front three, Manchester United’s Grace Clinton can take over from Kiera Walsh or Georgia Stanway whenever needed, and Brighton loanee Michelle Agyemang offers an x-factor up top.
Some may say that Wiegman’s England can lack tactical flexibility on occasion but what that brings is a strong foundation. The core of the Lionesses has not changed in the last three years, and it has brought continued success.
Wiegman has set up a side that not only has talent, but also belief. In the sides last two tournaments, when it has mattered most, individuals have performed. Some would like more flexibility and that’s understandable, but it is this strong organization, combined with the quality of this side that has brought the success and now weight of expectations that England have going into this tournament.
Unlike the last two tournaments, this team feels more balanced. Whether that changes Wiegman’s approach is unlikely, but it can offer England more than it has before.
The squad itself is likable and has the blueprints to succeed, the questions of rigidity are not alone.
At times England can be caught napping, often leave space in behind when overloading in attack.
In the team’s 7-0 win over Jamaica this is exactly what happened. Luckily for the Lionesses, VAR stepped in to rule Kiki van Zanten offside.
“The first half, they scored from the corner and we wanted to do that better but that was disallowed. We were lucky there and we did better in the second half. We know that next week we have to take our game to the next level. But we wanted to play a good game and entertain the fans, get everyone ready for next week and get everyone fit out of this game.” Wiegman said. (Via The Athletic)
Nothing’s perfect but England will go to Switzerland with that shadow of expectation, and a squad and management that are good enough to match it.
Fans should be positive, but as always with any England national team, only time will tell.
The Lionesses EURO 2025 campaign kicks off against France on July 5, at 8PM BST.
