Wiegman: "I thought we were going to lose it three or four times!"
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The Guardian
35 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘We're never beaten': Esme Morgan talks up England's mental toughness at Euros
Esme Morgan says her faith in the Lionesses' unwavering belief that they would overturn a two-goal deficit in their dramatic last-eight triumph over Sweden was built on the quality of England's substitutes' bench. The Lionesses defender, who came on as one of three changes in the 70th minute, insists that at no point did she think the holders would be knocked out of the tournament despite being 2-0 down. 'I really had a sense throughout the game, even when we were down, that it wasn't our time to go,' she said. 'Sometimes you just have a sense of calm, which you can't explain, of belief that we're not going to let this happen. I always had faith.' Besides Morgan, Sarina Wiegman was able to bring on Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Grace Clinton, Niamh Charles and Michelle Agyemang, who scored England's equaliser. Their efforts helped book a last-four spot against Italy on Tuesday, after a penalty shootout. Morgan added: 'The depth we have in the squad is such an incredible thing for us to be able to fall back on through this tournament. That's something we're going to continue to rely on. When all of us sat down on the bench for the second half it was just: 'Be ready to come on and change the game' – and all of us were. We've just got such amazing character, grit and determination within the group that we're never beaten.' Morgan's own substitute appearance was her major tournament debut, and she was thrilled that her mother was there to witness it. 'It was really, really special,' the 24-year-old said. 'Apparently my mum was sobbing when I came on, bless her. It was just really nice to get that opportunity. I have been working hard throughout the tournament to stay prepared if I was called on.' Of the 19-year-old Agyemang, who scored her second international goal on only her third cap, Morgan said: 'I'm so proud of the impact she's been able to make. That's twice now she's stepped up in pressure situations. She's someone that we know we can turn to in stressful moments to be a presence, holding the ball up and linking play, making runs in behind. 'She's just so chilled and positive all the time, and ready to take her opportunity. She's such a hard worker in training and so you know that in those moments she's absolutely ready to come on and make an impact, which is exactly what she did, just getting in great positions around the box. She's proven all the times that she's come on that she's ready to go and make an impact when we need it.' England were also grateful to two decisive crosses from the winger Kelly. 'She's an incredible player,' said Morgan. 'She's been training amazingly in the last few days, scoring a lot of goals, so she was high on confidence coming into that game. She seems to thrive on those moments when the team needs her to pull a performance out of the bag. When I saw her cut in, I just knew she was going to land it on someone's head. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion 'She had a decisive penalty as well and under that pressure, there is nobody I'd rather have in that position. She is so reliable and so composed and calm. She said afterwards she made eye contact with the goalkeeper and they were smirking so she just started laughing. I just think the composure in that moment, to be so free and confident, and just laugh, just shows what a brilliant player she is for stepping up.' Wiegman must now decide for Tuesday's semi-final which of her 'finishers' should start in Geneva. Leah Williamson rolled her ankle and left Thursday's contest in the first period of extra time but Morgan said England were very optimistic that the captain would be fit enough to face Italy. Whether Morgan plays alongside her from the start is one for the head coach to ponder.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Lionesses huge 1/2 favourites to beat Italy in women's Euro semi-final as Sky Bet back England to make back-to-back continental finals
England are heavy 1/2 favourites to beat Italy in the semi-final of the women's European Championship. The Lionesses are two wins away from defending their crown after progressing to the last-four stage with a nail-biting penalty shootout win over Sweden. Sarina Wiegman's team have been one of the best sides in the tournament and have understandably been backed to make the final over an unfancied Italy. Sky Bet have priced England as 1/2 favourites, while Italy - who upset Norway in the quarter-final - are priced at 19/4. The draw after 90 minutes is priced at 16/5. Sky Bet are also offering several Price Boosts for the occasion. These include Georgia Stanway 2+ fouls won in 90 mins, boosted to 1/1 from 5/6. Odds for Lauren James to have 3+ shots on target in 90 mins have also been boosted from 4/1 to 5/1. For Alessia Russo to score two or more goals in 90 minutes is now priced at 7/1, from 6/1, while odds for there to be six or more shots on target by each side in 90 minutes have now been boosted to 9/1 from 8/1. England remain second favourites for the competition behind world champions Spain, who beat England in the final of the World Cup two years ago. Sky Bet odds for England vs Italy: England - 1/2 Italy - 19/4 Draw - 16/5 Sky Bet Price Boosts for England vs Italy: Stanway 2+ fouls won in 90 mins WAS 5/6 NOW 1/1 James 3+ shots on target in 90 mins WAS 4/1 NOW 5/1 Russo to score 2+ goals in 90 mins WAS 6/1 NOW 7/1 6+ shots on target each team in 90 mins WAS 8/1 NOW 9/1
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Lucy Bronze hopes England not taking knee sends ‘more needs to be done' message
The defending champions have collectively chosen to refrain from participating in what has become a widespread anti-racism gesture, in the wake of England defender Jess Carter revealing she has been the target of vile racist abuse on social media during the tournament and will be stepping back from the platforms for the remainder of the campaign. Football Association chief Mark Bullingham announced his organisation has already involved UK police, and vowed to ensure 'those responsible for this hate crime are brought to justice', while Bronze said 'strong ' and 'ferocious' Carter's choice to speak out – in a statement posted to her social media – was 'empowering to our whole team'. Bronze said: 'The decision (not to kneel) was driven by the group, obviously certain individuals more than others. We stand with Jess, and all #Lionesses players past and present who have suffered racism. A message from the squad: — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 20, 2025 'I think it was just the fact that we feel, as a collective, 'Is the message as strong as it used to be? Is the message really hitting hard?'. 'Because to us it feels like it's not, if these things are still happening to our players in the biggest tournaments of their lives. It's putting another statement out there to say it's something that still is a problem. 'It's something that still needs to be put right. More needs to be done in football, more needs to be done in society. What that is right now, as an individual, I don't exactly know, but it's something that us, collectively, as a team and as a federation, we want to work towards. 'We want to make changes. This is a small step, trying to create another change.' While Bronze agreed England know 'people higher up are the ones that can ultimately put in things to make change', she added: 'I think we're never helpless as players. A post shared by Lionesses (@lionesses) 'I think that is something that we are very proud of as a Lionesses team, that we have created this voice and this platform that we can reach the highest of heights, and that we are willing to use that platform and that voice to make differences. 'I think the sentiment of (not) taking a knee and standing, as small as it might seem to other people, I think the noise will be reached around the world.' The widespread use of kneeling in sport was sparked by NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who in 2016 sat – then later knelt – during the United States national anthem to protest racial injustice and bring awareness to police brutality. England are currently preparing for Tuesday's Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy, and while Bronze said Carter is someone who 'would stand up for the right thing no matter what', she admitted: 'Jess herself, I think it's difficult. — Jess Carter (@_JessCarter) July 20, 2025 'I think she would probably not admit it to the wider world, but it's obviously difficult for her to go through, but all the players (and staff) are here to support her.' Bronze was quick to point out that Carter's situation is in no way unique. She added: 'I think we all know that any player of colour that's played for England has probably gone through racist abuse. That's a sad fact in this day and age. 'There was a lot of anger, to be honest, because as players we want to stand up and we want to make a change. It's anger and sadness that our team-mates are going through this and we don't want it to happen. 'We want to be focused on the football, we want to be making changes. We want Jess and anybody else who puts on an England shirt to be brave, to be happy when they play for England, to have the fans' support through it all.'
