After a challenging evening at the Galgenwaard Stadium in Utrecht, the Netherlands, The Lionesses fell just short against the Netherlands. A 90th-minute winner by Renate Jansen saw the hosts victory in the important second game of the Women’s Nations League campaign. Remarkably this was just the third time England suffered defeat under Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman, and even more remarkable was the fact that each of the losses occurred in the all blue ‘away-kit’.
A fatigued and flat performance
England’s performance in the first half was flat and underwhelming. The Lionesses struggled to maintain possession and initiate forward play, leaving the double pivot of Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone tirelessly chasing the ball without opportunities to link up with Alessia Russo up front. The team appeared fatigued, which was understandable given the demanding schedule between the World Cup, pre-season, and this international block. However with the Olympic qualification on the line in this Nations League campaign the lack of intensity and creativity was painfully evident.
The Dutch put early pressure on England’s midfield, leading to a build-up mistake and the opening goal by Lieke Martens. Had VAR been available, this goal would likely have been disallowed due to Van de Donk’s clear offside position. Regrettably, the assistant referee’s incorrect positioning prevented a correct assessment, further fueling England’s frustration throughout the first half.
Van Domselaar keeps the Dutch in the game
Towards the end of the first half, England finally found opportunities to score. Rachel Daly hit the post, and Lauren Hemp, along with Lucy Bronze, forced Dutch and Aston Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to make a crucial double save. Moments later, the Dutch hit the woodwork when Lineth Beerensteyn escaped from Jess Carter and lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Mary Earps, only to see it bounce back into play.
Formation chance at halftime
England made a tactical shift at halftime, transitioning to a back four. Rachel Daly, who had played as a left-wing back in the first half, was substituted for Chloe Kelly, reverting to a 4-3-3 formation. The defense appeared more solid, and scoring opportunities began to emerge. In the 64th minute, the ball fell to Russo, who confidently slotted it into the corner of the net, leveling the score at 1-1. Following the equalizer, the game went back and forth, with both teams creating chances. Beerensteyn had an opportunity to pass to Victoria Pelova for an easy tap-in, but opted for a solo effort. Perhaps the Netherlands’ best chance came when Martens found herself unmarked at the penalty spot, but her shot went straight at Earps for a comfortable save.
Limited Offensive options hinder England
England continued to press, but were unable to apply significant pressure on the Dutch defense. The decision to play Daly as a left-wing back may have limited England’s ability to vary their attacking style, and Russo, the only true number 9 in the squad, appeared fatigued towards the end. With Beth England sidelined due to injury, Wiegman had limited substitution options. When Russo was replaced by Lauren James, Hemp assumed the role of the number 9, but England struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Build-Up Struggles and the Decisive Blow
Despite an improved second-half performance, England’s build-up play remained sluggish and predictable. In the end, a mistake by Alex Greenwood allowed the Dutch to counter swiftly. Martens delivered a precise pass to Jansen, who struck the ball perfectly into the top corner, securing a 2-1 victory. This defeat saw the Lionesses slip from the top spot in the Nations League table to third place, with four games remaining. The potential return of Kirby and Mead in the next camp may provide the creative spark needed for this England team. However, the next international break is in October, meaning another quick turnaround for the players.
