England’s Lionesses recently kicked off their Women’s Nations League campaign with a match against Portugal that left fans feeling a bit underwhelmed at full-time. Despite a promising start, including a well-taken goal by Alessia Russo in the 15th minute, England was unable to secure a win, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw.
Manager Sarina Wiegman remains optimistic about the team’s progress, emphasizing that they are “moving forwards” and expressing no concern about their recent string of lackluster performances. However, defender Millie Bright acknowledged that there is still “lots to work on,” particularly when it comes to maintaining their level of play in the second half.
Portugal’s Unbeaten Streak and England’s Missing Players
Portugal, who had not suffered a defeat in their last 10 matches leading up to this game, proved to be a formidable opponent for England. Despite their lower FIFA world ranking compared to England, Portugal’s resilience and tactical play posed a challenge for the Lionesses.
England faced the match without key players such as Georgia Stanway, Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead, and Lauren Hemp due to injuries. However, the team initially seemed undeterred by these absences, with Grace Clinton stepping up in Stanway’s role and Lucy Bronze delivering a strong performance on the right flank.
Russo’s goal early in the match gave England a boost, but their failure to capitalize on additional scoring opportunities allowed Portugal to regain momentum and eventually equalize, leading to a frustrating draw.
Wiegman and Bright both highlighted the need for England to be more clinical in front of goal and capitalize on their chances, especially when facing tough opponents like Portugal. The team’s inability to convert their dominance into a bigger lead proved to be a crucial factor in the final outcome.
Looking Ahead to Future Challenges
As England prepares to face Spain, the reigning world champions and current Nations League titleholders, in their next match at Wembley Stadium, the team is focused on demonstrating their growth and resilience. Wiegman sees this upcoming game as “another opportunity” for England to showcase their progress and build confidence heading into the summer.
Bright echoed Wiegman’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of consistency and positivity in the team’s approach. Despite the draw against Portugal, Bright emphasized the need to draw on the positives from the performance and make necessary adjustments to elevate their game to the next level.
With the Euro 2025 tournament looming just five months away, England will need to address their second-half struggles and work on converting their opportunities into goals to compete at the highest level. While there may be concerns about the team’s recent performances, Wiegman remains focused on the process and the incremental improvements that will ultimately lead to success.
As England navigates the challenges of international competition, including injuries and evolving opponents, the team’s ability to adapt, grow, and learn from each match will be critical in shaping their journey towards Euro 2025. The road ahead may be filled with obstacles, but with determination, teamwork, and a commitment to improvement, England’s Lionesses are poised to make their mark on the global stage.
