Latest news with #BethMead
Daily Mail
6 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
England star Lucy Bronze reveals why Arsenal's Champions League win is a major boost to Lionesses ahead of clash with world champions Spain
Arsenal 's historic Champions League triumph in Lisbon is more than just club success — it's a major boost for England ahead of this summer's Euros, according to Lionesses star Lucy Bronze. The Gunners ended an 18-year wait for English dominance in Europe with a 1-0 win over Barcelona in the Women's Champions League final just over a week ago. And crucially, the squad featured England regulars Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead — with Mead assisting Stina Blackstenius for the winning goal. Bronze, who has lifted the trophy five times herself — three with Lyon and twice with Barcelona — believes the impact of that win stretches far beyond club level. 'The more players that we have that are used to that winning feeling, the experience, going up against the best players in the world — because that's what you do in the Champions League as well — it's fantastic for England. 'It's something that I've always said, years and years ago, a long time when I first went to Lyon, that was what I wanted to do: test myself against the best players, win the Champions League, bring that experience to England. 'And you see as the years go on, and more and more players have done it, Alex (Scott), Nikita (Parris), Izzy Christiansen, Jodie Taylor, Keira (Walsh), and then now we've got all the Arsenal girls as well it's just fantastic for us as an England team and us as a country, to have so many more players who are doing great things and achieving great things.' Meanwhile England head coach Sarina Wiegman has revealed she is 'close' to finalising her 23-player squad for the European Championship and gave fans a reason to smile with her injury news. 'Everyone is available and everyone can start,' said Wiegman, with a smile on her face. This includes Ella Toone and Alessia Russo, who missed the 6-0 thumping of Portugal but are now back in full training. Georgia Stanway also made her long-awaited return to action, featuring in the final 15 minutes after six months out. Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood also logged minutes after a lengthy period away, leaving only Lauren James an ongoing fitness doubt. 'It is really good (Toone is back), but also for Alessia (Russo) that she's back. 'So we have decisions to make, and that's very nice.' England face world champions Spain in their penultimate game before the Euros on Tuesday, and three days from Wiegman's squad announcement. As to how many decisions she has left, Wiegman said: 'We are pretty close. Of course, I still want to go through to the game tomorrow and then make the final decisions, but we're pretty close.'
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Arsenal, a packed Estádio José Alvalade and the reason I fell in love with football
I can't type the words. Sophie Downey's stopwatch, started the moment the clock hit 90 minutes, is running on the desk next to me, but my fingers won't move. I refuse to write a variation of 'Arsenal are European champions' with time still on the clock because the thought of having to press that backspace key and delete it is too much. The editors will have to wait; I'll start writing the intro paragraph when there's one minute 30 seconds of the seven minutes of stoppage time to go, but gingerly, agonisingly – even that feels too soon. I believe, I really do, but what if? And then I'm too busy sobbing into my hands to finish or press send. The narratives, there are so many narratives: Renée Slegers, the former academy player head coach with the retro Arsenal ring on her little finger who was made permanent manager only four months ago; Leah Williamson's journey from being a mascot at a European Cup final to playing in one; Chloe Kelly's salvaged season; Beth Mead's emotional turmoil; Mariona Caldentey making it three in a row after winning the past two with the now vanquished Barcelona; Kim Alison Little. Where to start? Where to end? My first report, sent not quite on the whistle, is rushed but I don't really care. What does this mean? Everything. Williamson has said she now felt ashamed for having previously put 'trophy for England over trophy for Arsenal', because the feeling last Saturday was 'the happiest I've ever been in my whole entire life'. The lifelong supporter of the club said she hoped 'that other Arsenal fans are happy too'. Understatement of the century, Leah, understatement of the century. The England captain had said she had been reflecting on her journey and reconnecting with those who helped her get to where she is today after the trophy lift outside the Emirates Stadium on Monday morning, and that chimed. Her journey from fan and academy player to Champions League winner is something few can relate to, but her undying love for Arsenal is more understood and she is not the only one who will have been reflecting on their relationship with the north London club this weekend. Remembering adds to the emotion of the occasion and triggers it. My own journey started when a smile was actually wind, my arms and legs manoeuvred into a little flannel babygrow that had the badge on the front and 'Arsenal babe' across the back. The earliest memories I have come in flashes across a weekend in Lisbon; then kicking a green translucent plastic ball with white flecks against the wall while I watched Arsenal Ladies play opposite my council estate in Shoreditch Park; finding out the score of the 1998 men's FA Cup final via a smuggled radio on a school trip; buzzing as I headed to a two-week Arsenal Foundation course on designing a magazine on QuarkXPress in the school holidays; winning a McDonald's competition to kick penalties on the pitch at Highbury on the final day of a season; staying the night at the home of a family member who lived a stone's throw from Islington town hall so I could get as close to the Invincibles trophy parade as possible; going to football sessions at school only to find them being led by Faye White and Rachel Yankey; the 'Arsenal win the World Cup' Mirror front page Blu-Tacked to my wall after France's 1998 men's team's triumph. Could I fill this piece with the memories? Yes, probably five times over. Plenty of journalists choose to keep their personal allegiances private and having decided not to do that I can very much understand why (thanks, social media), but why should I hide or reject my fandom when my love of Arsenal is why I stumbled into this industry, having not ever considered it as something I could do, in the same way aspiring to be a professional footballer was a pipe dream for so many girls my age? My fandom and my journalism are very separate things to me; if anything, I'm most critical of the club I adore because I want to see it do things right. As a journalist, you build bonds and relationships with players and staff across clubs and national teams. I struggle to think of a time I've interviewed a player and not come away wanting everything good to happen to them, for them to have their drive, work and passion rewarded. There isn't a Women's Super League team I dislike, not even Tottenham, because, while I'll never fully understand what it takes to be a professional footballer, I've been given an insight into that world; the highs, the lows, the injuries, the emotional and mental tolls, the hidden battles, the fight for professional standards and respect and more. But there will always be one team I love, love with a passion fuelled by those memories that flitter in and out. That is why there has been a lot of personal emotion this week. Hell, I'm crying periodically while I write. Arsenal gave me a way to experience collective joy and pain, to share a deep emotional bond with my dad, to feel connected to my community and a career. The feeling of watching a women's team that played for a short while in the park opposite Clinger Court on Hobbs Place Estate go on to lift the Champions League, in the modern era, in a packed Estádio José Alvalade, and be celebrated by more than 10,000 fans within 48 hours, after pioneering the game for so long, is indescribable – though I've tried. So, forgive the slipping of the journalistic cap in the aftermath, the blurring of the lines as the fan in me seeps out a bit, because if I didn't feel all this, I wouldn't be doing this job.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
England Women vs Portugal Women prediction: Lionesses to edge tight contest?
England Women vs Portugal Women betting tips England to win, both teams to score - 13/5 William Hill Beth Mead to score anytime - 1/1 Bet365 England face Portugal at Wembley this Friday as Sarina Wiegman's side look to end their home Nations Legue campaign in the perfect way ahead of Euro 2025 this summer. Advertisement The Lionesses head to Switzerland as defending champions and will be treating their last two Nations League fixtures as good warm-up matches ahead of the tournament, especially considering the second fixture comes against world champions Spain. But first, England must once again face a Portugal side who they drew 1-1 with back in February, with Alessia Russo's early goal only enough for a point in the end on that day. The injured trio of Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp and Alex Greenwood have all returned to the squad after respective knee surgeries, and though Lauren James, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone miss out through injury, it is still a strong group that Sarina Wiegman has named in the last squad before deciding who is on the plane for Euro 2025. And many players will use these two matches to fight for a place ahead of that squad announcement, with one warm-up match to come against Jamaica on 29 June before the tournament opener against France on 5 July. Advertisement England are ranked as 2/7 favourites with football betting sites, with Portugal priced at 13/2 and a draw at 9/2. England Women vs Portugal Women betting tips: Lionesses to secure home win England have shown mixed results in this Nations League campaign, illustrated by a draw away to Portugal and a 3-2 loss to Belgium. Nevertheless, a 1-0 win at home to Spain showed that the Lionesses are more than capable of competing with the world's best. Overall, England have won four of their last seven and drawn two, including with Portugal and former world champions the USA. Portugal have won three and drawn one of their last seven matches, though two of those came against South Korea and Czechia, and they lost heavily – 7-1 and 4-2 – away and home to world champions Spain. Advertisement Sarina Wiegman's side will need to put in a convincing home performance if they are to convince fans that they could be a match for Spain in the upcoming European Championship, but with 12 goals in their last seven, they are expected to beat Portugal comfortably at Wembley. But despite England being favourites, the last time Portugal failed to score in a match was in a 1-0 defeat to France in December 2023, with all six matches since then bringing at least one goal despite some heavy defeats. A bet on England to win to nil is offered at 5/6, but a wager on the Lionesses to win but both teams to score could offer better value at 13/5 with various betting sites. England Women vs Portugal Women prediction 1: England to win, both teams to score - 13/5 William Hill England Women vs Portugal Women prediction: Mead to find the net With Alessia Russo, Jess Park and Lauren James missing out on this international camp, Arsenal's Champions League-winner Beth Mead could well be tasked with carrying the goalscoring burden for the Lionesses against Portugal. Advertisement Mead has 33 goals in 52 games at international level, and the 30-year-old has rediscovered some form despite a season in which she scored just seven goals for the Gunners in the WSL. Mead scored a penalty in the last Lionesses match – a 3-2 loss to Belgium in April – and is offered at 1/1 to score anytime against Portugal – as is Aggie Beever-Jones – and we think a wager on the Arsenal forward to score could provide value tonight. England Women vs Portugal Women prediction 2: Beth Mead to score anytime - 1/1 Bet365 Responsible gambling Always practice responsible gambling. When have a bet using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. Advertisement The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having: Advertisement We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Sarina Wiegman praises hat-trick hero Aggie Beever-Jones
Sarina Wiegman praises Aggie Beever-Jones after the forward scored a hat-trick in the Lionesses' 6-0 Nations League rout over Portugal. The 21-year-old became just the third woman – and second Lioness after Beth Mead – to score three times at Wembley, where she fired England out to a third-minute lead and Lucy Bronze headed home less than two minutes later. Beever-Jones struck twice more either side of Beth Mead's 29th-minute goal to hand England a 5-0 lead in the 33rd minute, while substitute Chloe Kelly added a sixth after the break.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Beever-Jones hails ‘incredible' first Wembley start following England hat-trick
The 21-year-old became just the third woman – and second Lioness after Beth Mead – to score three times at Wembley, where she fired England out to a third-minute lead and Lucy Bronze headed home less than two minutes later. Beever-Jones struck twice more either side of Beth Mead's 29th-minute goal to hand England a 5-0 lead in the 33rd minute, while substitute Chloe Kelly added a sixth after the break. Aggie Beever-Jones! 🎩 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 30, 2025 'I'm delighted,' said Beever-Jones. 'I don't even know any of the records and whatever, but I think someone just said it was Beth. 'To be alongside her is something really, really incredible. It's my first time playing at Wembley for England and I don't think it could actually get much better than that. 'It was incredible. I think Wembley's always been a special place. Obviously, we won the FA Cup here, not so long ago with Chelsea. 'I saw the girls win the Euros here. For me it's such an historic place. I was just focusing on getting into the game and trying to do the basics well – I can't quite believe that. 'As a team, the first half was incredible. We executed the game plan really well. The girls took the goals really well. I'm just so happy.' England's triumph ensures they are still in contention to advance to the autumn Nations League finals, but will need to beat group leaders Spain on Tuesday night. Build-up to the penultimate group-stage contest was dominated by the shock international retirement of goalkeeper Mary Earps, who was instrumental in England securing their first major silverware with a 2-1 extra-time win over Germany at Wembley, three summers ago. Head coach Sarina Wiegman is expected to name her squad for that title defence – kicking off in Switzerland in just over a month – on June 5th, with next week's Spain meeting the last chance for players to make their case for selection. News of Earps' retirement on Tuesday had dominated the Lionesses' discourse leading up to the encounter, in which Chelsea's Hannah Hampton was England's number one. Beever-Jones added: 'As cliche as it sounds, Sarina said, 'It's a new kit, new England today. Go out there and put a graft in'. I think her words were 'destroy them' in her Dutch accent.' On a PLATE! 🍽️@bmeado9 🤝 @chloekelly — Lionesses (@Lionesses) May 30, 2025 Asked about her hat-trick hero, Wiegman said: 'I think she is a goalscorer. She scores goals very easily and very well. She has such quick feet and is keeping them on their weight all the time in good positions. 'She is really tight on the ball. The team did well coming into positions so the connections were really good. I think she played really relaxed.' But the England boss would not say whether or not Beever-Jones had cemented her place on the Euros squad, only conceding with a smile: 'You are putting some words into my mouth. I think she did really well today.'
