England’s unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman ended with a 2-0 loss to Australia in an international friendly. Despite missing out on their star player Caitlin Ford, the Matildas secured victory with goals from Sam Kerr and Charlie Grant. For the Lionesses, Lauren James and Rachel Daly had chances but couldn’t convert. Still basking in the glory of their final victory, England were unable to find their rhythm in a relatively low-key campaign at Brentford. The defeat was a far cry from the nerve-wracking drama we witnessed at Wembley Stadium last week. While the defeat may have stinged the pride of the Lionesses, it was a valuable lesson as they prepare for the future.
Chelsea secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Arsenal in the latest round of Women’s Super League fixtures, with goals from Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby and Sophie Ingle. It was the first time the Blues had defeated the Gunners in five meetings and marked a statement of intent from Emma Hayes’ side. The opening goal was a result of Leah Williamson’s rare mistake, which Kerr took advantage of to give Chelsea the lead. The Australian striker has now scored in each of her last four league games and looks to be in phenomenal form. The result also saw the return of Kirby, who grabbed her sixth goal of the campaign with a composed finish, reassuring fans of her class after a brief injury layoff. All in all, a fantastic display from Chelsea and a worrying sign for their rivals.
Leah Williamson is known as a reliable player for the England team under Sarina Wiegman, but even the best players can make rare mistakes. In a crucial match against Australia, the Arsenal centre-half attempted to cushion a long ball back to the goalkeeper with her head, but her effort fell short. Sam Kerr, one of the world’s best strikers, seized the opportunity and scored one of the easiest goals of her season. Unfortunately, the error proved costly for England, who found themselves trailing. It serves as a reminder that even the smallest mistakes can be punished at this level of play.
Alessia Russo may not have scored in her latest match for England, but she’s still the top pick for the number nine position, according to head coach Wiegman. For three games in a row, Russo has been given the nod to start upfront, while Rachel Daly has been relegated to a supporting role, despite her impressive goalscoring record this season. It seems clear that Russo is viewed as the main striker for England this summer, and fans will be eager to see her flourish in this crucial position. Despite the pressure, Russo is sure to rise to the challenge and cement her place as the team’s go-to goal scorer.
Man Utd forward Russo made her presence felt early on in the game with her signature move, sliding across the near post and forcing an early save from Mackenzie Arnold. However, England struggled to break through a formidable yellow defense and Russo found herself outnumbered on the ball. A change in formation saw Russo partnered with Daly as a forward duo and the crowd came to life with the new attacking threat. Despite England’s best efforts, they were unable to find the back of the net, but the promise shown by Russo and Daly gave fans something to look forward to in future matches.
The Lionesses‘ unbeaten run has come to a close with a defeat under Sarina Wiegman’s management. However, some say that this may not be the worst result for England. The team’s unbeaten run with easy victories could have given a false sense of security that they are ready for the World Cup finals. Wiegman wanted tough tests against Brazil and Australia before the tournament, and this defeat could be a blessing in disguise. Losing hurts, but it also reminds the team to be prepared for real adversity. Now, the challenge is to see how they react and bounce back from their first defeat. Wiegman needs to discover the best way to correct a poor performance and make sure that the team can learn from this experience.
The Australian forward, Sam Kerr, is a force to be reckoned with on the field. Her return to the team has added an extra dynamic to their attack, and she proved to be particularly effective against the Lionesses. The wet weather conditions made the ball over the top a key option, but Kerr’s willingness to chase down lost causes was what gave her team the edge. The makeshift Lionesses back four had a tough challenge facing off against one of the best forwards in the world, but Kerr’s skill and persistence proved too much for them, resulting in the opening goal of the match.
