Published 01 December 2023 2 min read
England Women's Senior Team
Sarina: 'I'm impressed with my team'
The Lionesses boss paid tribute to her side's second-half comeback against the Dutch at Wembley
Sarina Wiegman reflected on a mixed night of emotions at Wembley, following England’s 3-2 victory over the Netherlands.
Not only was she in opposition against her home nation, but the Lionesses found themselves two goals down at the break before a barnstorming second-half performance saw them turn the game around to secure a memorable win.
But with her team needing to win by two clear goals to usurp the Dutch at the top of their UEFA Nations League table and put things in their own hands going into the final round of games, there was something of a muted celebration at Wembley after coming so close.
“I am relieved [to win] and I feel strange, I’m really happy with the win but at the end hope you win by two to put us in a better position,” admitted Wiegman, after seeing goals from Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Ella Toone spark celebrations among the 70,000 plus crowd.
“But coming back from 2-0 down and how we showed up in the second half was so well done, so it was a really good performance.
“Overall, it was a very good game and we started the first half really well and totally dominated but they came with one counter-attack and went 1-0 up, that was a good goal from them.
Not only was she in opposition against her home nation, but the Lionesses found themselves two goals down at the break before a barnstorming second-half performance saw them turn the game around to secure a memorable win.
But with her team needing to win by two clear goals to usurp the Dutch at the top of their UEFA Nations League table and put things in their own hands going into the final round of games, there was something of a muted celebration at Wembley after coming so close.
“I am relieved [to win] and I feel strange, I’m really happy with the win but at the end hope you win by two to put us in a better position,” admitted Wiegman, after seeing goals from Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Ella Toone spark celebrations among the 70,000 plus crowd.
“But coming back from 2-0 down and how we showed up in the second half was so well done, so it was a really good performance.
“Overall, it was a very good game and we started the first half really well and totally dominated but they came with one counter-attack and went 1-0 up, that was a good goal from them.
“We said at half time, we are not playing bad but we conceded two goals, we have to do better to keep going because they are struggling too.
“I don’t think we played poor in the first half, but we had to score a goal so at half time we had to do something different and Beth Mead came in and after that we changed more to get other connections and new energy which we really needed.
“I am impressed with my team and Ella [Toone] scores a lot of important goals and shows up and she is ready to go when she starts or when she comes in and that is really good.”
England still have a chance to qualify for the Nations League Finals if they can win next Tuesday’s final game against Scotland at Hampden Park by a four-goal margin.
But that will also depend on the result of the game between the Dutch and Belgium on the same evening.
“What we need to do [against Scotland] is win and now we really need to win,” said Wiegman.
“We are dependent on the other score, but we need to have a great win, at least 4-0, and that still depends on the other result. But if we win and the Netherlands drop points, we are in.
“What we can control is play well and win that game, that is what we first have to do, we can’t control what all the other ones do.”
“I don’t think we played poor in the first half, but we had to score a goal so at half time we had to do something different and Beth Mead came in and after that we changed more to get other connections and new energy which we really needed.
“I am impressed with my team and Ella [Toone] scores a lot of important goals and shows up and she is ready to go when she starts or when she comes in and that is really good.”
England still have a chance to qualify for the Nations League Finals if they can win next Tuesday’s final game against Scotland at Hampden Park by a four-goal margin.
But that will also depend on the result of the game between the Dutch and Belgium on the same evening.
“What we need to do [against Scotland] is win and now we really need to win,” said Wiegman.
“We are dependent on the other score, but we need to have a great win, at least 4-0, and that still depends on the other result. But if we win and the Netherlands drop points, we are in.
“What we can control is play well and win that game, that is what we first have to do, we can’t control what all the other ones do.”
REPORT: ENGLAND 3-2 NETHERLANDS