Nearly two years after their clash in the Women`s World Cup final in Sydney, England and Spain are set to face each other once more in the Women`s Euro final this Sunday in Basel. This highly anticipated match will again feature two of the most formidable teams in international women`s football.
While their presence in the final is hardly a shock, both England and Spain revealed certain weaknesses during their semifinal encounters. Spain, known as La Roja, secured a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time victory against a defensively resolute Germany on Wednesday. Despite this being their toughest test yet, Spain remains the favorite for Sunday`s final, particularly against an England squad that has displayed inconsistency. The Lionesses` tournament journey has been marked by fluctuating performances, with their 2-1 extra-time win over Italy on Tuesday highlighting clear defensive frailties, as they once again had to mount a comeback.
This Sunday`s final promises a clash of giants. However, Spain possesses the ability to destabilize opponents who are either unprepared for their formidable attacking power or lose concentration, even momentarily. For England, performing at their peak in Basel will be crucial – a feat they are capable of, even if it hasn`t been a consistent characteristic throughout their Women`s Euro campaign this summer. Beyond the pursuit of a second consecutive European title, this match also offers the Lionesses a chance for redemption after their 1-0 defeat in the 2023 World Cup final.
Here are three critical factors for England as they aim to defeat Spain, who are widely tipped to secure their inaugural Women`s Euro title on Sunday.
Unwavering Defensive Resolve
England`s consistent ability to recover from deficits is commendable, showcasing both the Lionesses` talent to dominate a match and their resilience to escape difficult situations. However, this pattern also prompts questions regarding why they frequently face such adversity. The reigning European champions have conceded the first goal in four of their five matches this summer, indicating an imbalance at the start of games, particularly in defense.
While individual mistakes have contributed, England`s defense, as a collective unit, has struggled to contain physically and dynamically adept offenses, often appearing disorganized. This issue has persisted regardless of player selection; manager Sarina Wiegman has consistently fielded Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Jess Carter, and Alex Greenwood in most games, with Esme Morgan replacing Carter once against Italy. Despite their offensive prowess often rescuing them, relying on this strategy against Spain is highly perilous. The Women`s World Cup winners effortlessly find the net, featuring tournament leading scorers like Esther Gonzalez and Alexia Putellas, alongside a wealth of other elite attackers. Should England`s defensive instability resurface early in the final, Spain could swiftly establish an unassailable lead.
Sarina Wiegman`s Tactical Decisions
Sarina Wiegman`s impactful substitutions have been pivotal throughout the Women`s Euro. Notably, 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, who debuted for England in April, has scored two crucial goals as a substitute, netting equalizers in both the quarterfinal against Sweden and the semifinal against Italy. Chloe Kelly`s extra-time winner against Italy on Tuesday further exemplifies this trend. These contributions underscore the Lionesses` deep talent pool, Wiegman`s astute in-game management, and the team`s strong morale, making England`s matches consistently thrilling.
The onus is now on Wiegman to implement a flawless strategy from the outset, preventing England from falling into an early deficit that could prove insurmountable against an opponent of Spain`s caliber. This doesn`t necessarily imply starting a player like Agyemang – Wiegman is prudently integrating the talented teenager into senior international football – nor does it demand drastic lineup changes. Alessia Russo, for instance, has been instrumental with one goal and three assists in five appearances. However, a sluggish start on Sunday would likely disadvantage England significantly, making it imperative for Wiegman to demonstrate her decisive tactical acumen from kick-off and leverage her impressive array of attacking talent.
Disrupt Spain`s Flow
While Spain registered a high number of shots (22) in their semifinal against Germany, La Roja were held to a stalemate for 113 minutes. This was not solely due to Germany`s disciplined defense, but also because Germany successfully disrupted Spain`s midfield rhythm. As anticipated, Montse Tome`s team dominated possession, completing 87% of their over 600 passes. However, their pass distribution deviated significantly from earlier matches. Previously, Spain typically played twice as many passes in the opposition half compared to their own. On Wednesday, this equilibrium was shattered, with only about 50 more passes made in Germany`s half than in their own, and they resorted to 31 long balls, a stark contrast to the maximum of 13 in their preceding Women`s Euro matches.
Spain appeared to lack a contingency plan against Germany`s defensive strategy, a weakness that perhaps should not have caught the World Cup winners by surprise, despite Germany`s injury woes in defense. Tome also failed to adapt her dynamic attackers` roles; for instance, Salma Paralluelo`s introduction for Gonzalez in the 68th minute did little to penetrate Germany`s rearguard. Ultimately, Aitana Bonmati`s late goal rescued them, underscoring the benefit of their abundant attacking talent. While England isn`t expected to replicate Germany`s exact tactics, the Lionesses can draw considerable confidence from Spain`s apparent lack of a `Plan B`. If Wiegman`s team can effectively disrupt Spain`s typical playing patterns, they could significantly curtail their formidable attacking threat.
