The beginning of England until 2025 was not as impressive as many hoped, and Portugal proved to be a strict test in the new UEFA Nations League campaign on Friday night.
Sarina Wiegman moved forward after a promising start in a portima, the kindness of a good goal that was expertly ended with Alessia Russo. Optimistic England Fans would hope that the tide was firmly in their favor, but she turned dramatically, and the second half told a completely different story.
Portuguese coach Francisco Net made the necessary changes, bringing to Barcelona ahead Kika Nazareth, for which many expected to start. The 22-year-old dismissed the extraordinary strike late, and Mary Earps had no chance because she ran the back of the net.
With 15 minutes to play, England made its own changes, but it was too small, too late. The damage was already done, and Lionese ended the first game of 2025 with a draw.
Here, 90mine looks at what we learned from Friday’s results in League of nation…
It was not a catastrophic result, but it wasn’t very good either. It is crucial for England to use your campaign on nations Confirm your dominance as a top team before Euro 2025while they want to defend their title. But this draw will do little to instill any fear in your opponents.
There is room for Grace, since it is the first international break of the year, but with a huge test against Spain to arrive on Wednesday, early signs are not as promised as he hopes. If England occurs as in the second half against Portugal at Wembley this week, it could be much worse than pulling.
Among several positive results from Friday night was Alessia Russo’s starting goal. The striker is in good shape for his club after change this season in the lead, and it is comfortable to see that he has transferred this form to the international stage.
If England hopes that it will progress from the extremely difficult groups of national leagues or retain the European Championship title in the summer, Russian will be crucial. The attacker options have changed drastically since 2022, in a small part through the Ellen White retirement, but Arsenal The star was one constant. Much hopes of England rest on her shoulders.
Arsenal defender Leah Williamson was the best player of England against Portugal. Not only was that an offensive exit with her ability on the ball, but her determined defense actions in the second half ensured that England had gone with at least a point.
Williamson made several key blocks and interceptions to prevent Portugal in the second half, while England fought for the claim. Some may point out that he gently pulled her out of the position in the accumulation to the Portuguese equalizer, but without her, it could be different, and even worse stories.
Wiegman knows better than anyone how replacements can change games, and her use of Russo and Ella Toone, especially during the last Euro 2022, was one of the mobile forces of the Historical Victory of England. Because of this, it was confusing to see so little change until it was too late in Portugal.
In the first 10 minutes of the second half it was clear that the momentum moved in favor of Portugal and that England was not control as it was in the first 45. The warnings were there, and the indecision from the bench ultimately led to the host equalization.
Wiegman admitted after the game that they were waiting for the right time to replace. However, it was clear that England struggled to adapt to the tactical adjustment of Portugal – which is a huge merit of the net and his staff.
In addition to the defensive change at halftime, where Lucy Bronza gave way to Jess Carter, Chloe Kelly and Aggie Bever-Jones were late. They both got just over five minutes to make an impact, and it is fair to say that no form of sparks.
Wiegman has to trust his bench and take advantage of the team at their disposal, especially when tired legs are on the field, and the previous tactical instructions are no longer working.
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