Published 07 October 2022 4 min read
England Women's Senior Team
Sarina Wiegman and Lauren Hemp speak after USA victory
England boss Sarina Wiegman and goalscorer Lauren Hemp reflect on win over USA at Wembley
Sarina Wiegman says she enjoyed the intensity of England’s 2-1 victory over world champions USA in front of a buoyant Wembley Stadium.
The Lionesses began their preparations for next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with a game against the current holders and perennial challengers.
And first-half goals from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway, either side of Sophia Smith’s equaliser for the States, were enough to settle a thrilling encounter in England’s favour.
“That was really intense,” said Wiegman.
“The USA played as we expected, they gave us some hard times which was obviously normal because they are really good.
“I thought we played really well too. At moments in the first half I think we were a little better than the second half, when we had some problems getting out of the press.
“But it’s 2-1 and I think a great game.”
The Lionesses began their preparations for next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with a game against the current holders and perennial challengers.
And first-half goals from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway, either side of Sophia Smith’s equaliser for the States, were enough to settle a thrilling encounter in England’s favour.
“That was really intense,” said Wiegman.
“The USA played as we expected, they gave us some hard times which was obviously normal because they are really good.
“I thought we played really well too. At moments in the first half I think we were a little better than the second half, when we had some problems getting out of the press.
“But it’s 2-1 and I think a great game.”
Wiegman’s team secured their place at the 2023 World Cup when they rounded off their European Qualifiers with wins over Austria and Luxembourg last month.
And this was the first of their games with next summer in mind, before they head to Brighton to face Czech Republic on Tuesday.
“We said before the game that whatever happens, yes we want to win the game, but we know this is just one stage - it’s a starting point to get in preparation for the World Cup,” explained Wiegman.
“It’s really nice when you win the game and show you are at a very high level.”
Hemp showed her versatility to the team too, leading the Lionesses’ line as a centre forward for the first time at senior level.
And the Norfolk-born ace took just ten minutes to get on the scoresheet before proving a constant menace to the States’ rearguard beyond that.
And this was the first of their games with next summer in mind, before they head to Brighton to face Czech Republic on Tuesday.
“We said before the game that whatever happens, yes we want to win the game, but we know this is just one stage - it’s a starting point to get in preparation for the World Cup,” explained Wiegman.
“It’s really nice when you win the game and show you are at a very high level.”
Hemp showed her versatility to the team too, leading the Lionesses’ line as a centre forward for the first time at senior level.
And the Norfolk-born ace took just ten minutes to get on the scoresheet before proving a constant menace to the States’ rearguard beyond that.
“I thought we did really well, especially in the first half,” said the Manchester City player.
“I thought we created a lot of chances, out of possession we were fantastic as well, on the press. I thought we all put in a shift today and it’s a great result obviously.
“There’s a lot of preparation now for the World Cup. It’s important that we stay grounded and focus on the task in hand. We’ve got another game on Tuesday which we’re all really excited for.
“I really enjoyed it tonight. I sort of had a free role, and I could roam where I wanted so it was a case of right place, right time. I’m happy with any goal and especially that tap-in there.
“I think it’s great preparation and it’s important that we stay grounded now and we focus, we’ve got a lot of months coming up, a lot of games that we can prepare for so we’re in the best possible position for the World Cup.”
“I thought we created a lot of chances, out of possession we were fantastic as well, on the press. I thought we all put in a shift today and it’s a great result obviously.
“There’s a lot of preparation now for the World Cup. It’s important that we stay grounded and focus on the task in hand. We’ve got another game on Tuesday which we’re all really excited for.
“I really enjoyed it tonight. I sort of had a free role, and I could roam where I wanted so it was a case of right place, right time. I’m happy with any goal and especially that tap-in there.
“I think it’s great preparation and it’s important that we stay grounded now and we focus, we’ve got a lot of months coming up, a lot of games that we can prepare for so we’re in the best possible position for the World Cup.”
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