Sarina Wiegman hails England Women’s ‘struggle’ as they kick-start Euro 2025 qualification bid | EUROtoday

That first penalty from Greenwood was awarded after a transparent handball by Ruesha Littlejohn, On the half-hour mark, England got a second penalty – this time when the ball struck Quinn’s highly-raised arm, a lot to the hosts’ frustration – however Greenwood’s second spot-kick hit the within of the put up and missed.

Unusually for Wiegman in a aggressive sport, she had made 5 modifications to her beginning facet, bringing in Hannah Hampton to start out in purpose as a substitute of established primary Mary Earps. Williamson, who had not performed for her nation for 2 days in need of one full yr due to harm, was visibly emotional about her return through the anthems and produced a powerful show. Jess Park, Ella Toone and Jess Carter additionally got here into the facet.

Wiegman has luxurious of two ‘incredibly good goalkeepers’

On her determination to start out Hampton as a substitute of Fifa Best Goalkeeper award winner Earps, Wiegman stated: “We have in Hannah as well as Mary two incredibly good goalkeepers so that’s a really luxury position we’re in.

“Mary has been really consistent with us, again on Friday she was really good and important for the team, [but] Hannah is also competing and really improved a lot. I felt this was a game to give her an opportunity to play – I have to trust she can do a good job. And we also know if something happens with Mary we have two goalkeepers and then a third [Khiara Keating] in the squad.”

Asked how Earps had reacted to being dropped to the bench, Wiegman added: “Of course she was disappointed because she wants to play. She has been so good for us and very consistent. Yes, she was disappointed, we had that conversation. Then she just showed up and moved on.”

England’s subsequent transfer can be to attempt to beat France at St James’ Park on Friday, May 31, and Williamson vowed that the Lionesses will enhance for that match. Wiegman added: “We know they [France] are top level so yes, we have to be at our top level. We have to improve all the time, first of all because we want to improve. Secondly, because if you want to stay at the top, then it’s necessary to develop. Yes, we demand that from ourselves too.”

Match particulars

Republic of Ireland (5-4-1): Brosnan 6; Mannion 7, Hayes 6, Louise Quinn 6, Patten 5, McCabe 6; Payne 5 (Kiernan 7, 61), O’Sullivan 6, Littlejohn 6 (Connolly 6, 45), Lucy Quinn 5 (Campbell 6, 61); Carusa 5 (Murphy 7, 67)
Subs not used: Stapleton, Caldwell, Barrett, Moloney (gk), Agg, Toland, Murphy, Atkinson, Whitehouse (gk)
Yellow playing cards: McCabe
England (4-3-3): Hampton 7; Bronze 7, Williamson 7, Greenwood 8, Carter 6; Park 6 (Kirby 6, 56), Walsh 9, Toone 6 (Stanway 7, 75); James 6 (Kelly 5, 86) Russo 6, (Daly 5, 86), Hemp 6 (Mead 6, 56)
Subs not used: Charles, Earps (gk), Wubben-Moy, Clinton, Rendell (gk), Morgan, Turner
Yellow playing cards: None
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)
Attendance: 32,742