England beating Norway 8-0 led to criticism of the women’s game but why treat it differently to Germany 7-1 Brazil?England were fantastic at Brighton on Monday but I was still shocked by Norway’s capitulation. It’s rare for teams at that level to lose 8-0 – and going into Euro 2022 Martin Sjögren side’s were ranked 11th in the world, only three places behind the Lionesses – but, crucially, it’s far from unprecedented. And, no, that record scoreline hasn’t damaged the tournament, let alone its credibility.Remember that during the 2014 men’s World Cup something similar happened to Brazil when they were thrashed 7-1 by Germany. As recently as 2020 Aston Villa beat Liverpool 7-2 in a Premier League match, while Southampton,...
After watching the 8-0 win against the former European champions, it was reasonable to feel a little concussedThe half-time whistle feels like an act of mercy. As Norway’s traumatised players sprint down the tunnel towards the four solid walls of the dressing room, England saunter off the turf with broad smiles, trying and failing to pretend this is still a meaningful contest.On the sidelines, the St John’s Ambulance staff are chuckling behind their masks. In the stands, mouths are dropping agape and there is simply not enough air in the stadium to fill them. Up in the gantry, holding a BBC microphone, Jonas Eidevall looks utterly stunned, like he’s just seen a sheep doing geometry. The mood is giddy, bordering...
The Lionesses face their toughest group game against Norway whose striker is looking to make up for lost timeWe will have a better perception of England’s Euro 2022 chances after they have played Norway on Monday night. I believe the depth of talent in Sarina Wiegman’s squad will be enough to reach the final but this is their toughest group game. If they are to frustrate Ada Hegerberg and the rest of a Norway team adept at playing between the lines, England’s defenders must be solid and remain in constant communication. Their focus at set pieces needs to be 100%.A lot of people ask if I’m envious of England’s players and regret being retired but my overriding emotions are happiness...
Old Trafford was a bracing, stunning sight before kick-off amid the belief this could genuinely be the start of somethingTrailblazers. Pioneers. Game-changers. History-makers. Yes: England scored a first‑half goal and began a major tournament without looking flustered or getting booed off the pitch at full-time. It was comfortable rather than easy, composed rather than fluent. But as England completed their lap of honour in front of 69,000 chilly but cheering fans, the sense was of a team that were simply relieved to be off and running, determined to ride this wave of noise all the way to the end.For all England’s busyness, their 15 shots on goal, perhaps the moment that best encapsulated them came just seconds from the end....
Manchester City defender’s inclusion in the provisional squad has caused debate but big match experience could prove vitalWhen the news broke that Steph Houghton had been included in the provisional 28-player England squad for the Euros, social media went into overdrive.Defenders and detractors were out in force, with the latter greater in number. The former England captain has not played since January, when she competed five times before reaggravating the achilles injury that had kept her out since September’s international break. Continue reading...