Wiegman knows lessons need to be learned ahead of the World Cup

Sarina Wiegman acknowledged England Women’s 2-0 defeat to Australia has provided her side with a big lesson.

The Lionesses suffered their first defeat since Wiegman took charge in September 2021 on Tuesday night at Brentford Community Stadium, having previously won 26 and drawn four of their previous 30 matches under the coach.

And Wiegman said: “We always take learnings, even in the games we win, we see things we have done well and we also see things we have to do better. 

“We know we have to improve to be at our best at the World Cup. Every game is a learning and this one was a big one.

Australia opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark when Leah Williamson’s header back to Mary Earps was intercepted.

But Wiegman stressed: “Sometimes mistakes happen, you don't want to make those mistakes a lot but it happens.”

The England coach instead preferred to focus on several areas where she believes her team should have been better against Australia.

The Lionesses had 71 per cent of possession on Tuesday night but only five of their 16 attempts at goal were on target and Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold enjoyed a relatively comfortable night.

Wiegman said: “They were very efficient with the chances they got. We gave them chances but most of all in possession we were a little bit too slow. 

“They waited for us, and then you need dynamics, you need runs, opposite movements, to be tight on the ball. We wanted to switch play quickly so you get some space, stretch them in width and depth but we didn't do that well enough. 

“In the final third, before those moments, we weren't good enough.”

She continued: “We need to be quicker, pass quicker, switch quicker but also in front of goal we need to stretch them in behind because they were really tight. 

“We lost the ball a little quick, especially second half later on.”