Sarina sets sights on World Cup play-offs

Sarina Wiegman admits she was pleased with her team’s response, as the bounced back from defeat in Spain to end their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign with victory over Ukraine in Liverpool.

Goals from Jess Carter, Georgia Stanway and Beth Mead saw the Lionesses cruise to a 3-0 win in what was a first England game at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

While England finish their group stage campaign with 15 points on the board, it means they now have to face a play-off in October with Spain usurping them at the top of the table to seal the only automatic qualification spot.

But Wiegman is optimistic that her team can finish the job, and was happy with how her much-changed lineup performed.

“I’m happy with how we showed up, how we played the game against a very defensive Ukraine,” she said.

“Of course we wanted a response, the whole team did straight after the Spain game and of course everyone was really disappointed.

“But we also knew we had another game to play and we had to stick together and I think that is what we showed today.

“We have seen good things and also things that we want to improve on. We have a year and we know some things that we really have to improve and be ready. On Friday, some things got exploited and we are trying out some things too.

“So you see many players playing at the back, we have played many players in our midfield too, so we need that year to work out what is best for us, what are the best players to play.

“We’re also playing players who are improving, and also they have a year to get more competition in. That is exciting and then you can really finalise and tweak and make the last decisions on how you want to play.”

For now, the Lionesses will be looking to take a summer break before regrouping in October, with the draw for the European World Cup play-offs taking place on 18 June in Switzerland.

“Of course, there is no major tournament for us this summer so there is a little time off.

“We’ll be getting prepared for 18 June for the play-off draw and then we start our preparations straight after.

“We knew there were two scenarios, either you qualified or you go into the play-offs and we know the FIFA window is in October and then November and December, so we’ll get ready.”

Wiegman also had encouraging words for Laura Blindkilde Brown, who was handed a spot in the starting line-up and put in a lively performance in front of a crowd of more than 26,000.

“This game, it really fits her,” added Wiegman. “She’s had a great season and, to be honest, I think she was one of the best players on the pitch today.

“Her positioning was really good, she’s really tight on the ball, there were spaces where it was really tight. Also, she is thinking of ahead on what is going to happen, she is already on the way, so I am really happy with her performance.”

Her performance certainly gives Wiegman plenty of options in that number ten position as the Lionesses look towards the play-offs, and hopefully, beyond that to Brazil next summer.

“Sometimes we can make choices now with which team we have in front of us, so my tactical staff have to figure out what is best in what moment.

“For example, when we played the first game against Spain, Lucia Kendall played in the ten position, that was more of a defensive role she had and she is not a typical ten, she is more an eight that plays deeper on the pitch. But she can play higher, and it’s the same with Georgia Stanway.

“Today we played three tens with different qualities. We know that Laura brings something else, and Georgia, Lucia and also Ella [Toone] bring something different.

“Of course, Ella has been injured for a while and is just back. There are many options, and they can show themselves the whole next year.

“Let’s first qualify and then I hope we get a lot of headaches making the decision.”