England’s poor performance and defeat against Belgium has cast doubt on their qualification for the Olympic Games as representatives of Team GB. The Lionesses, who reached the Women’s World Cup final in August, have now lost three out of their last five games in the Women’s Nations League.
The mounting concerns surround their lack of scoring prowess and defensive errors. They currently sit third in their group with only two matches remaining. To secure their spot in the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, England must win their Women’s Nations League group.
Manager Sarina Wiegman addressed their qualification hopes, stating that they need to beat the Netherlands by more than one goal at Wembley in December. She admitted that they have put themselves in a difficult position.
Wiegman had a successful start as the England manager, going unbeaten in 30 games before their defeat to Australia. However, since then, the team has struggled to maintain their high level of performance.
While they reached the World Cup final, their journey was lackluster at times, aside from standout matches against China and Australia. The new Women’s Nations League competition was meant to showcase their potential, but victories against Scotland and the subsequent defeat to the Netherlands did little to inspire confidence.
Injuries to key players have undoubtedly impacted their performance, but their faults in the game against Belgium were mostly self-inflicted. Wiegman acknowledged their sloppiness on the ball and their vulnerability to counterattacks.
Defensive errors and missed chances from several players contributed to their defeat. Despite having the majority of possession and numerous shots, England struggled to hit the target, while Belgium capitalized on their opportunities.
Wiegman expressed frustration at their inability to score goals, and she emphasized the need to address their mistakes and improve in the final third. The team has kept just one clean sheet in seven matches and has conceded six goals in the Women’s Nations League.
However, Wiegman remains optimistic about their chances of progressing to the semi-finals of the competition and keeping their Olympic hopes alive. Defender Lucy Bronze echoed this sentiment, highlighting the upcoming matches against the Netherlands and Scotland as challenging but not impossible.
While England’s recent performances raise concerns, their previous success under Wiegman suggests that they have the capability to overcome their current struggles. The team will analyze their performance against Belgium and work towards rectifying their mistakes in order to secure qualification for the Olympic Games.
