‘We're never beaten': Esme Morgan talks up England's mental toughness at Euros
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 vital equaliser. Their efforts helped book a last-four spot against Italy on Tuesday following 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. 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 [inside] I just knew she was going to land it on someone's head.
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'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 are 'very optimistic' that the captain will be fit enough to face Italy. Whether Morgan plays alongside her from the start, is one for the head coach to ponder.
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- South Wales Argus
Ella Toone: Back-to-back European Championships would be a 'dream'
The 25-year-old scored the opener in the Lionesses' 2-1 victory at Wembley in 2022 as they won their first major tournament trophy, and they could repeat the feat just three years later. They face a rematch of their World Cup final defeat in 2023 as they lost 1-0 to Spain in Australia, and now they are aiming to avenge that with victory at St. Jakob Park. '[Back-to-back champions] is the dream. That's the aim. You want to come into a tournament, and you want to put on performances,' said Toone. 'You want to make the country proud, and you want to inspire a generation and those were our aims for the tournament. 'We've got all this way, so we want to go out into the game and give it everything. No one wants to lose a football match, especially a final, so we'll do everything we can to put on a performance. 'We'll fight, we'll believe in ourselves, we'll have that togetherness like we always do, so we will hopefully get over the line." England's route to the final has been far from straightforward with their quarter-finals and semi-finals both requiring extra time, and in the former, penalties, to decide them. It has led to tense viewing for fans and family of the Lionesses alike. Against Sweden, Michelle Agyemang's late equaliser saw England recover from a two-goal deficit to take the game to penalties. Then in Geneva against Italy, Agyemang once more popped up to take the game to extra-time where Chloe Kelly struck the winner to send England to the final. 'It's mad. I'm not all for the drama but we've definitely made it dramatic this tournament. Sometimes football's not always how you want it to be,' said Toone. 'It would be lovely to win in 90 minutes, but the teams we've been playing against have been really tough and we've right until the very end. 'We've never given up and we like to add that little bit of drama. I know the fans at home we've probably given a heart attack. 'You can see the fight from the team that we want to win whatever game we play in.' That fight has emerged from what the Lionesses are dubbing a 'proper English mentality'. It has come to sum up their approach to the positions they have found themselves in, seemingly escaping from scenarios they seemed destined to go out. 'We spoke a lot about a 'proper English performance' at this camp. We have it in us all individually and as a team that we want to fight, and we want to not stop running,' added Toone. 'You've seen that in games where it's 90 minutes and it might look like we're down and out, and then someone comes on and we have one moment, and we take that moment. 'That's what it's all about. It's squad depth and players having that belief that they can come on and really change the game. 'But it's all in us individually that we're competitive and we want to win and we know what it takes to win in tournaments. That's what we've managed to do and that's what has got us to a third consecutive final.' The Lionesses will face their toughest test yet in Basel as they meet the reigning world champions to defend their European crown. Having faced each other twice already this year, the teams have one win each from their recent meetings, but Spain are yet to lose at Euro 2025 with a perfect record in their group. They boast a midfield three of Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati who play together at Barcelona and have looked unbeatable at times this tournament. It will likely be Toone, Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh who come face-to-face with the trio, but they are under no illusion about their own strengths, too. 'In football, games can be won and lost in the midfield. We know that we have to be on our game,' said Toone. 'We have so much respect for [Patri, Putellas and Bonmati]. All three of them are world class players and are very talented. 'But we know what we're capable of. Whoever plays in the midfield will do an important job. No matter what, we'll go into that game, we'll give 100% and we'll fight like we always do.'
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The Independent
a few seconds ago
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman: I have fallen in love with England after ‘craziest' tournament yet
Shortly before Sarina Wiegman walks into one of the grand rooms at England 's five-star Dolder base overlooking Zurich, Ella Toone can't help but laugh. 'We've nearly killed her twice in this tournament,' Toone says. It sometimes feels like at least twice in single games, especially those against Sweden and Italy. 'You've definitely aged me,' Wiegman told the players after the semi-final. You wouldn't think it as she walks in for a more informal chat with media on the eve of the Euro 2025 final. Wiegman is all smiles and laughs, as you might well be when your team repeatedly get through emotional late rescue acts. Everyone conspicuously looks to the coach in such moments. That isn't always the case in football. Wiegman admits that she finds focus on her 'awkward', if of course 'very special'. Except, it's hard not to focus on her. This is the 55-year-old's third consecutive major final in the England job, and fifth as a manager, going back to Euro 2017. It sums Wiegman up that she says it's a record she doesn't even want to think about until she retires. For everyone else, it defines her. While there have been a number of factors in England's rise, not least FA investment, the money they have spent on Wiegman is well justified. She is almost certainly the single most important figure in the history of the women's team. Hence the FA being 'in awe' of Wiegman, according to many insiders, to the point chief executive Mark Bullingham says she's priceless. If England loves Wiegman, however, what does Wiegman think of England? As a manager, she can come across as an abrupt figure, especially when talking in that matter-of-fact manner. Some close to her just say it's part of being Dutch. Nevertheless, Wiegman's success comes as her own players talk about how she's changed; maybe even softened. She is relaxed enough to elaborate on her relationship with England outside the job, something she hasn't really done before. 'I have been here four years and it just feels like my home away from home. I always enjoy it when I'm at work, when I'm in England. It is just the people, the sporting culture. I really love the sporting culture and the fans of course. It is the connection I have with the people, we are very, very close. The people at the FA, with everyone.' Wiegman is eventually asked whether she's 'fallen in love' with England? 'Yes, I have,' she says. 'Otherwise, I would not be sitting here with such a smile on my face.' Wiegman has certainly harnessed some of England's distinctive sporting traits, most visibly in the resilience of this team. 'Proper England', as her players keep saying. 'I absolutely see that,' she says. 'People that really want to work hard and are very committed.' That quality has been honed for this England team through Wiegman's nurturing of a proper old-fashioned team spirit. It has meant that, no matter how the team plays - and, in this tournament, that hasn't been very well - they always have a chance. Hence her resistance to speak about herself, except in the most couched way. 'I think I'm pretty good at bringing people together. But, without the quality, you're not going to win a tournament. So you need very good players and the support staff. The environment we created, the performance, how we do recovery… but they're important things to be the best prepared. 'What I'm trying to do is bring people together in the best possible way. Players and staff and the people around are really, really good.' As is always the case with such figures, you can't truly separate the real personality from the sporting personality, much as they try to. 'I'm kind of a caring person,' Wiegman says. 'I care about them… but at the same time I'm the coach.' The England players say she now lets out more emotion when they score. 'That comes from these performances,' she laughs. 'It's so intense. Of course I look very calm, but when the whistle goes and we score a goal and we change the game, when you have one minute left, of course that is emotional. Now, yes, like every person, I develop too with experiences. 'What I really wanted to do over all these years was try to enjoy it a little bit more, instead of always being so…' Wiegman interrupts herself. 'You have to be focused in this job, but you need to celebrate the moments that are good. It's really nice.' Some of the squad go even further and describe her as 'a mum'. 'Yeah, you know, sometimes when people say about 'the girls', I think 'do they mean my daughters or my team?!'I care about them but at the same time I'm making these hard decisions at the moment. So sometimes you should leave that caring and leave it up to them. They're grown-up women! But at least a mum should care.' Being in the job for four years has naturally seen her become closer to players, though. 'Those informal moments are just nice, to have a conversation in so you get to know each other better on and off the pitch. I say this a lot, but I truly believe connections make a difference. That's why I like team sports so much. That's what I like about the tournaments because you have more time together, so you have more time to have these informal moments.' Wiegman even admits that she misses the players away from camps. 'When we go into international breaks it's 11 days… you don't have much time. And then I'm not a person who just goes out and has a conversation where there's no purpose.' Much of this comes from the amount of consideration she put into actually taking the job in 2021. 'I think from both sides, before 2021, we have been really diligent to figure out if we were a good match. And you never know until you go in.' They now know so well that she's signed a contract to take her at least to the 2027 World Cup. There was 'a click', as Wiegman puts it. No matter how long she goes in the job, though, she's unlikely to face a tournament as tumultuous as Euro 2025. From the retirements beforehand to the being on the brink throughout, she admits there's been nothing like it. 'Before the World Cup, we had challenges with players who were injured. But in this tournament, it has been the craziest one with how the games went. That has been different.' The words don't quite reflect the mock exasperation on her face. Wiegman does admit that she now recovers from matches better. 'I've worked on that, too, because I always say don't put too much emphasis on the result. Of course, we are here to win, but you can't control winning. You can control what you do and what you try to do to win the games. And I do better at that.' As another tournament proves, however, she's not bad at winning either.
The Independent
a few seconds ago
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman says Euro 2025 ‘craziest' run of tournament matches in her career
England boss Sarina Wiegman concedes Euro 2025 is the 'craziest' run of tournament matches in her managerial career. The Dutchwoman's defending champions are now just one win away from their second major trophy, but will need to seek revenge on Spain – who beat them in the World Cup final two summers ago – to secure back-to-back European titles. To reach this point, the Lionesses have leaned on late heroics, a never-say-die attitude, a sprinkle of luck and the wisdom of a head coach described by her Football Association boss as priceless, one who has now led teams to an unprecedented five consecutive major-tournament finals. 'In this environment you have challenges all the time. Before the World Cup, we had challenges with players who were injured,' said Wiegman. 'Of course, we prepare a lot and we know the players really well. We think of scenarios, 'Who is the first player to select? Who is the second?'. You're prepared for challenges. 'But in this tournament, it has been the craziest one with how the games went. That has been different.' Wiegman was forced to navigate through tumult even before the tournament started. The shock retirements of Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacking midfielder Fran Kirby were followed by veteran defender Millie Bright – who captained England at the 2023 World Cup – withdrawing from selection to prioritise her physical and mental health. 'Of course, the challenge ahead of the tournament – whether players are available or not – the result is the same as an injured player or a player who is not available,' said Wiegman. 'You have to move on to what you want and who is ready to compete.' Some of those primed to do battle were expected – like Lucy Bronze, the 33-year-old now seven-time major tournament veteran Wiegman hailed as 'one of a kind', after she sparked England's stunning quarter-final comeback over Sweden with a late goal, then emphatically netted the winning penalty with the Lionesses' seventh try. But surprise standouts have also emerged in Switzerland, perhaps none so powerfully as 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, twice England's saviour with equalisers in their quarter and semi-final comebacks. Speaking to Agyemang, who has won three of her four England caps at this tournament, or 21-year-old Chelsea forward Aggie Beever-Jones, paints a picture of Wiegman as a maternal figure, particularly for her seven major-tournament debutants. 'Yeah (I feel like a mum)', agreed Wiegman. 'You know, sometimes when people say about 'the girls' I think, are they meaning my daughters, or are they meaning my team. 'So that's tricky, I'm kind of a caring person so I need to, maybe that's the part, I care about them but at the same time I'm the coach, I'm making these hard decisions at the moment so sometimes you should leave that caring and leave it up to them. 'They're grown-up women! But at least a mum should care.' Wiegman is under contract until after the 2027 World Cup. On Thursday, FA chief Mark Bullingham said she was 'not for sale' and 'no price at all' would be tempting enough to allow her to be prised away. And while she admits some of the attention is 'awkward', Wiegman added: 'Of course I find it very special too. But I do believe that everyone plays his or her part in the success. 'What I'm trying to do is bring people together in the best possible way, players and staff and the people around me are really, really good. And if they perform at their highest level, then the chance of winning a game is the highest possible. And that's what I'm trying to do. 'I think I'm pretty good at bringing people together, but without the quality, you're not going to win a tournament.'
