Spain has been quoted with the feat time and time again in this World Cup since the round of 16 matches began. He had to leave the Netherlands on the way, Sweden and now the title will be played with the resounding England, who defeated the host Australia. The ‘lionesses’ held up against the lashes in attack from the Maltildas led by Sam Kerr and. Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo give the English a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of legendary teams like the United States or Germany. Winners of Euro 2022 against the Germans, of the duel between continents baptized as Finalissima against Brazil, they will pursue glory against Spain. Their success is based on many virtues and few defects.
One of the great pillars of the success of the English team is its coach, the Dutch Sarina Wiegman. In September 2021, she replaced Phil Neville on the national team bench thanks to an enviable record. In 2017 she led the Netherlands to win the Eurocup and, two years later, at the World Cup in France she was runner-up after being defeated by the United States of Rapinoe. Her career with England could not be more successful. Of the 33 games he has led on the bench, he has only lost one, precisely the last one against Australia before yesterday’s semifinal. Winning the Eurocup made her the first coach to do so with two teams. With a contract until 2025, the English Federation (FA) wants to tie her up for longer.
It is another of the characteristics of England: they hardly change their starters except for injury or suspension. In the last Euro Cup, Wiegman became the first coach to repeat starting eleven in all the matches of the competition. For this World Cup, three key pieces that that triumph fell due to injury: Arsenal’s center-back, Leah Williamson, Chelsea forward Fran Kirby and the goalscorer gunner Beth Mead, who was the Boot and Ballon d’Or of the tournament. It is in the attack where Wiegman has done the most tests until he was fine-tuning his eleven type. It was difficult for her to introduce the young and spectacular Lauren James but, since then, the only thing that has upset the lineup is the expulsion of the midfielder in the round of 16 for stepping on a Nigerian rival. Before Spain she will return and it will be a headache
Nor has England offered surprises in their style of play. If schema is very defined. With three defensemen, Carter, Bright and Greenwood, Luzy Bronze and Rachel Daly have tremendous freedom to join as attacking lanes. The pair Stanway and Keira Walsh provide the balance in the midfield, with James or Toone as hooks with the two ends and goalscorers against Australia, Alessia Russo, the Arsenal player, and Lauren Hemp, from City. It is precisely this scheme that he put on the Wembley lawn to overcome Spain in the Euro in the quarterfinals.
Strategy is one of the strong points of Spain’s rival. Their players have finishing power but, in addition, they take advantage of throw-ins. England’s first goal against Australia, scored by Toone in the 36th minute, came from the wing.