Leah Williamson: England captain an injury doubt for Euro 2025 semi-final
Williamson fell awkwardly while challenging for a cross in the first half of extra time, looked to be in serious pain, and required significant treatment on the pitch. The Arsenal centre back was able to soldier until the change of ends before she was substituted for Niamh Charles, and left Stadion Letzigrund with the boot and crutches.
Although these measures were considered precautionary, Williamson has little time to recover, with England's semi-final coming on Tuesday against Italy in Geneva. She will be assessed further on Friday but no update is expected.
'That's not fair, it wasn't about me,' Williamson told the BBC about coming off. 'A game like that requires you to be at 100 per cent and nobody can put a foot wrong. It wasn't the time to stay on the pitch.'
Sarina Wiegman also admitted that Williamson could not continue. 'She rolled her ankle,' the head coach said after England had beaten Sweden on penalties. 'She couldn't stay on the pitch any more so we had to take her off.'
Losing Williamson would be a big blow. She is an inspirational leader on the pitch and a gifted orator in both the dressing room and press conferences. The 28-year-old has been England's captain since Wiegman became head coach in 2021, and wore the armband when they won Euro 2022. She missed the World Cup the following year with an ACL injury, as the Lionesses reached the final before losing to Spain.
Williamson is also a world-class defender. At the Euros she has performed valiantly in a fragile back four, and against Sweden she moved over to left centre back in the first half of normal time to address England's struggles on that side of the pitch.
Esme Morgan is the most likely replacement, should Williamson be ruled out. The Washington Spirit centre back replaced Jess Carter in the 70th minute against Sweden and also started the friendly against Portugal last month. Alternatively, Alex Greenwood could shift to centre back — as she did after Williamson went off on Thursday — and Charles may come in at left back. The other centre backs in the squad are Maya Le Tissier and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Williamson was one of several England players hurt during a bruising extra-time period. Lucy Bronze ended the game with strapping around her right thigh — that she applied herself on the pitch — and will also need monitoring over the next few days. Lauren James rolled her ankle and Greenwood fell awkwardly on a shoulder, though Wiegman said she believed both would be OK. Hannah Hampton saved penalties with a bloodied nose, but is also thought to be fine.
No England player who featured in more than 20 minutes against Sweden was training on Friday. They will stay in Zurich until Monday before travelling to Geneva to play Italy.
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