New Women's football thread (inc World Cup) 2023-26

[Durhamfootman]

the difference in quality between England's starting XI and their finishing XI is quite stark. Yes Wales were much better in the second half, but for much of the second half England were far less assured and offered far less goal scoring threat. I've been critical of Ella Toone in the past, but she scored one and set up two more. Russo scored her first goal tonight. For all their ability, Mead and Kelly were much less of a handful down the wings for Wales than James and Hemp were. Park was much less effective than Toone. Only Beever Jones really looked the part amongst the replacements, although I'm being rather unfair on Mead who scored the 5th and set up the 6th.... they both happened late in the game though and she'd been on for a big chunk of the second half before she got going.

England's passing was much less fluent in the second half, but as I said, Wales improved a lot

[Durhamfootman]

Sarina Wiegman has replaced Bronze with Charles late on in three of the last four games. Keira Walsh has been playing noticeably higher up the pitch in the last two matches and gone further forward more often. Makes me wonder whether we might see a change in formation at some point. Three at the back with either Stanway pushed forward into a 10 with Walsh playing more as an 8 when she can, or replacing Stanway with the extra CB. The Wales goal was very well worked and well taken. It'll give them something to take home after a bit of a thumping tonight, but it also highlighted England's continued lack of defensive speed which the more mobile teams will seek to exploit.

crikey.... Belgium did it to them to score three times in 30 mins in Leuven, just days after being battered by England in Bristol

[Durhamfootman]

If England beat Wales, they are pretty much nailed on to make the QF's no matter what NL do. Finish behind France (very likely) they get the top half of the draw with Sweden in the QFs and probably Norway in the SF's if they win. Finish ahead of France (not very likely at all) and they go to the bottom half of the draw to face Germany and then (nailed on certainty) Spain in the SF

for a big chunk of last night it looked as though England might finish top and get the harder side of the draw, but then France reasserted themselves over the dutch. I would have taken a top placed finish if it had meant that France had gone out (I do like a bit of wailing and breast beating from the neighbour from hell), but I certainly didn't want it if it just meant France avoiding Germany and Spain

It will all be moot anyway if Sweden turn up and knock England out

[Gingerfinch]

Sweden are physical and looked good on the counter against Germany, though they were their own worst enemy. I do worry a little about our defence but on the flip side, we have goals in our team.

[Durhamfootman]

we do

and we need to keep James playing. no injuries and definitely no red cards

[sussexpob]

Sweden are physical and looked good on the counter against Germany, though they were their own worst enemy. I do worry a little about our defence but on the flip side, we have goals in our team.

Hard to look too much into that game, I felt the play leading up to the red card for Germany was clearly offside, and once down to 10 it became a bloodbath but before a fairly even 11 v 11 game.

I really do not like these auto-VAR offsides, I have counted three that were visibly wrong, and the England one v France was clearly wrong because it took the offside line from the English foot and not the French hip, which was playing her on.

[Gingerfinch]

Sweden are physical and looked good on the counter against Germany, though they were their own worst enemy. I do worry a little about our defence but on the flip side, we have goals in our team.

Hard to look too much into that game, I felt the play leading up to the red card for Germany was clearly offside, and once down to 10 it became a bloodbath but before a fairly even 11 v 11 game.

I really do not like these auto-VAR offsides, I have counted three that were visibly wrong, and the England one v France was clearly wrong because it took the offside line from the English foot and not the French hip, which was playing her on.

Yes Germany were for me the better team before Sweden scored. Don't start me on VAR !!!

[Durhamfootman]

Italy might regret squandering those 2 great chances. Two players going for the same point blank header and getting in each other's way, followed by a glory shot saved by the keeper when a back post ball option was there for the tap in

[sussexpob]

Italy might regret squandering those 2 great chances. Two players going for the same point blank header and getting in each other's way, followed by a glory shot saved by the keeper when a back post ball option was there for the tap in

As might Ada with that miss. Twice now she's had the goal beckoning, only to fail to control the ball.

Italy have been the better team, but Norway have some threat on the break.

[sussexpob]

Cor Blimey, I thought she had put that in... did it hit the bar? Would have been instantly goal of the tournament...

[Durhamfootman]

I thought she had as well. really close

if nothing it ought to make the keeper more reluctant to play centre half

was that the youngster i've been hearing about?

[Durhamfootman]

Beckham-esque

[sussexpob]

was that the youngster i've been hearing about?

Signe Gaupset... 20 year old. She scored both against Iceland.

[Durhamfootman]

that'll put the cat amongst the pigeons. First thought was offside, but she was just on. poor defending and it has been coming, really

[Durhamfootman]

that was offside, but poor defending again