Latest news with #SophieIngle
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson vowed to seek out opportunities for her players after the 'mind-blowing' experience of naming a Euro 2025 squad with five players out of contract. Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
The Independent
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
England v Wales live: Women's Euro 2025 team news as underdogs vow to ‘spoil the party'
England face Wales in the final group stage match of Euro 2025 as the Lionesses look to reach the quarter-finals with a victory over their rivals. The holders are prepared for a 'derby' against the tournament debutants Wales, who are the lowest-ranked team at the Euros and are all-but eliminated after defeats to France and Netherlands. England bounced back from their opening defeat to France with an impressive 4-0 win against the Netherlands and Sarina Wiegman's side can book their place in the quarter-finals with a win. Wales, however, will be determined to not come from the Euros empty handed and potentially play a part in knocking the Lionesses out of the tournament before the quarter-final stage. Head coach Rhian Wilkinson said Wales are out to 'spoil the party' while the captain Angharad James said: 'It's in our blood, it's in our DNA, the rivalry has always been and always will be there.' What is the Wales team news? Former Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle returned to the pitch off the bench in the defeat against France so could start following a year out due to a knee injury. Olivia Clark may return in goal and Hayley Ladd could also return to the starting line-up. Jamie Braidwood13 July 2025 10:34 What is the England team news? England made some key changes for the Netherlands game and looked to have found a settled formula with Lauren James on the right wing, Ella Toone in midfield and Jess Carter at centre-back. Sarina Wiegman, who confirmed that everyone is fit and ready to play 90 minutes, could name an unchanged team in order to build some momentum and consistency. Jamie Braidwood13 July 2025 10:32 When is England v Wales? Women's Euro 2025 kick-off time and TV channel When is England vs Wales? The Euro 2025 match kicks off at 8pm BST (UK time) on Sunday 13 July in St Gallen, Switzerland. How can I watch it? It will be shown on ITV 1 and ITV X, with coverage starting from 7pm. Jamie Braidwood13 July 2025 10:31 Good morning England face Wales at Euro 2025 as the British rivals clash with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Holders England could have been out if they lost to the Netherlands on Wednesday but produced an excellent performance to win 4-0 and spark their tournament into life. The Lionesses are guaranteed to reach the quarter-finals with a win of any kind while Wales need to win against England and hope other results go their way. Wales, who have lost both of their games, need to win and for France to beat the Netherlands but the tournament debuts also require a huge goal swing to advance. Jamie Braidwood13 July 2025 10:30 How Sweden turned Germany's biggest strength against them in the wildest 30 minutes of Euro 2025 If given the choice, who out of Sweden or Germany would England prefer to play should the holders make it past Wales and into the Euro 2025 quarter-finals on Sunday night? After a frenetic opening 10 minutes in Zurich, where Germany were able to carve Sweden apart at will, the answer appeared obvious. A little over 20 minutes later, as Sweden counter-attacked their way to triggering a capitulation in the Germany defence, that answer had completely flipped again. How Sweden exposed Germany in the wildest 30 minutes of Women's Euro 2025 Sweden 4-1 Germany: A chaotic opening spell gave England plenty to think about if they play either of these teams in the quarter-finals Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 22:16 Why England v Wales will reveal how far the Lionesses will go at Women's Euro 2025 If there was any question about how England would prepare for Sunday's 'derby' against Wales, Sarina Wiegman actually revealed it the moment the build-up started. The coach had been asked whether goal difference had been a consideration in the minutes after the 4-0 win over the Netherlands. 'No,' Wiegman responded. 'We discussed how to play at our best.' As classically simple as that sounds, and as different as this game is to the Dutch, it does illustrate the mentality running through the squad now. Why England vs Wales will reveal how far the Lionesses can go at Women's Euro 2025 The Lionesses don't want to just beat Wales, but to make a statement as they reach the quarter-finals Miguel Delaney12 July 2025 21:05 England's Alex Greenwood: Women's Euro 2025 derby may mean more for Wales England defender Alex Greenwood admitted the big-rivalry billing for their final Euro 2025 group-stage encounter might hold more weight for their Welsh opponents than it does for her. A win against their fellow home nation – the lowest-ranked team in the tournament – would be enough to book defending champions England a place in the quarter-finals, while newcomers Wales would require a victory of four goals or more, as well as France beating the Netherlands. Greenwood's cool demeanour and downplayed approach to the opposition was in direct contrast to Wales captain Angharad James, who, when sat at the same St Gallen table moments before and asked if she wanted to knock England out, said: 'Of course you do. It's in our blood. It's in our DNA.' But quizzed as to whether or not she felt the same sense of rivalry, Greenwood conceded: 'Maybe not as much. I think, for me personally, it's another game. 'It's now the most important game that we're going to play and I think that's how I look at it, that's how I treat it. I think for the fans and everybody around it, the rivalry is brilliant. 'I think the atmosphere tomorrow is going to be great and something we should all look forward to, but from a personal perspective, it's another really important game.' England's Alex Greenwood: Women's Euro 2025 derby may mean more for Wales An England win would be enough to book defending champions a place in the quarter-final. Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 20:05 Rhian Wilkinson: 'Wales want to spoil the party against England' Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson not shying away from the chance to 'spoil the party' ahead of facing England at Women's Euro 2025, 'These women have fought for so long, many of them their whole careers, to have this opportunity and I will not allow us to feel like we're just here to just participate. So we will continue to celebrate. 'England, of course there's a storyline. Why wouldn't we go towards a rivalry? This will only benefit the women's game. We're going to give them as much as possible, push them to the very end. 'And it is the very end. We're in an incredibly close group. England will be forced to play a strong line-up because it is such a close group and there's also a goal differential. So for my women, we get to show up and spoil the party and that's a wonderful job.' Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 19:05 'It's in our blood': Wales determined to knock England out of Women's Euro 2025 Wales captain Angharad James said the motivation to beat England and knock the holders out of Euro 2025 is 'in our blood and DNA' as the rivals prepare to meet in the final round of the group stage. Wales are the lowest-ranked nation at Euro 2025 and landed in the group of death at their major tournament debut, being drawn alongside the last two champions in England and the Netherlands as well as France. Wales are all-but eliminated after a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands was followed by a 4-1 defeat to France but James said her team-mates are focused on delivering a performance to be proud of. 'It's in our blood': Wales determined to knock England out of Women's Euro 2025 Both teams are aware of the historic rivalry as Wales and England clash in the final group match of Euro 2025 Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 19:03 'For them it is a big game but for us it is too' - Sarina Wiegman Sarina Wiegman speaking ahead of England's game against Wales at Euro 2025. "I hope we will see a game where we have a lot of the ball and we play very good in possession, so we don't let it become into a fighting game. 'I am not worried [it will become a fighting game]. I think Wales are very compact and they can fight and are really together but also when they have the ball they can play direct. 'We are trying to prevent that, and the best way is to be good on the ball yourself and move the ball quickly to exploit the spaces. "For them it is a big game but for us it is too. We want to win and get through the group stage. There is passion but we have passion too. We want to be really focused and good on the ball. We have to be patient." Jamie Braidwood12 July 2025 18:14
The Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
When is England v Wales? Women's Euro 2025 kick-off time and TV channel
England face Wales at Euro 2025 as the British rivals clash with a place in the quarter-finals on the line. Holders England could have been out if they lost to the Netherlands on Wednesday but produced an excellent performance to win 4-0 and spark their tournament into life. The Lionesses are guaranteed to reach the quarter-finals with a win of any kind while Wales need to win against England and hope other results go their way. Wales, who have lost both of their games, need to win and for France to beat the Netherlands but the tournament debuts also require a huge goal swing to advance. Here's everything you need to know. When is England vs Wales? The Euro 2025 match kicks off at 8pm BST (UK time) on Sunday 13 July in St Gallen, Switzerland. How can I watch it? It will be shown on ITV 1 and ITV X, with coverage starting from 7pm. What is the England team news? England made some key changes for the Netherlands game and looked to have found a settled formula with Lauren James on the right wing, Ella Toone in midfield and Jess Carter at centre-back. Sarina Wiegman could name an unchanged team in order to build some momentum and consistency. Possible England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway, Toone; James, Russo, Hemp What is the Wales team news? Former Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle returned to the pitch off the bench in the defeat against France so could start following a year out due to a knee injury. Olivia Clark may return in goal and Hayley Ladd could also return to the starting line-up. Possible Wales XI: Clark; Roberts, Evans, Green, Woodham; Ladd, Ingle, James, Holland; Fishlock, Hughes What are the group permutations? England will reach the quarter-finals if they beat Wales on Sunday. If England draw, they can still go through as long as the Netherlands don't beat France. Where things could have started to get complicated is if England beat Wales and the Netherlands defeat France, leaving those three teams on six points and breaking the head-to-head record tiebreak. However, by winning 4-1 against Netherlands and only losing 2-1 to France, the Lionesses would have the advantage on goal difference as long as they beat Wales and would be guaranteed to go through. Wales are not out just yet - but they need to beat England and hope the Netherlands lose to France. Wales' goal difference after losing 3-0 and 4-1 means progress is very unlikely, however.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales 'over the moon' to see Ingle get her Euro 2025 moment
For Wales it might well end up being the enduring image of Euro women's greatest ever player, Jess Fishlock, leaving the field to a standing ovation and hugging and kissing her long-time international teammate and fellow cap centurion, Sophie ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a pre-season match last year, meaning her appearance in Wales' 4-1 defeat to France was her first competitive match action in over a year."It would have been a tragedy if Sophie had never played in a major tournament," said former Wales international Kath Morgan."She has given everything for Wales." 'I did everything I could to be positive' Unflappable in both playing style and personality, Ingle, 33, admits she had some moments of self-doubt as she faced a race against time to be fit for Euro 2025, Wales' first major winning the race to be fit for the finals, Ingle admits she was unsure if she would actually get onto the pitch."It was obviously a daily process," she told BBC Sport Wales."I did everything I could to be positive and thought that I could make it back. I wasn't sure if I was going to get minutes, but to get in the squad, that was my first challenge, to get in the 23."I made that a few weeks ago, so as soon as that happened, it was like, 'right, can I get minutes in this tournament?' Be on the big stage, something I've worked my whole career for. Thankfully, the ACL didn't stop me from doing that."Ingle's introduction got one of the biggest cheers of Euro 2025, with Wales' fans aware of the importance of the Women's Super League's most capped player."It felt weird to be honest. I was just excited going on and as soon as Jess was obviously walking over to me, what a person to swap in for after scoring her first goal at the Euros," Ingle added."And then the crowd just went wild and I kind of had goosebumps and I was just like, yes, I'm finally back, I've made it. Yeah, just really happy to get on the pitch. It didn't feel like I'd been out nine or ten months." 'We are over the moon for her' Wales defender Lois Joel, who rates her appearance in Wales' 4-1 defeat by France as "the highlight of her career", says the entire squad were ecstatic to see Ingle return."You couldn't write it any better really, Jess exiting and Sophie coming on," she said."Sophie's such a key player for us, whether she's on the pitch or off it, just in terms of how she handles herself and the leader that she is. She's worked so hard to get back to where she is, to get back on the pitch."We're over the moon for her and I was very happy. It was a bit touch and go, but I don't think you can ever write Sophie off. She works hard, she does what she needs to do and I'm very glad she got that moment."Bristol City defender Ella Powell says it would have been tough to compete at Euro 2025 without Ingle."When we first heard about Sophie being injured it was kind of a heart in mouth situation," she said."Sophie is another player that has been part of the Welsh set-up her whole career and has worked so hard and tried so many times to get into a major tournament and when we achieved that, it was hard to think about Sophie not being there."She was able to make it back to make the squad and we were all sort of hoping and praying that she would be able to step onto the pitch and it was a really nice moment to see her come on. She deserves that and we were all so happy for her."
The Independent
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Wales v Netherlands live: Women's Euro 2025 underdogs set for historic major tournament debut
Wales make their major tournament debuts as they take on Netherlands at Euro 2025. The Welsh are the lowest-ranked team at the Euros and have been drawn in a heavyweight group alongside holders England, 2017 champions Netherlands and France. But Wales are determined to embrace the occasion and inspire a generation back home when they play the Netherlands in Lucerne. 'This is what we've been wanting,' head coach Rhian Wilkinson said. 'To showcase Wales as a country, this team and their talent.' Former captain Sophie Ingle has been named in the Wales squad despite not playing a competitive match in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while Netherlands have a number of star players including striker Vivianne Miedema. "They are a top team, very fluid, and have some of the biggest stars in the game,' Wilkinson said. "They're really an enjoyable team to watch and I'm looking forward to challenging my team against them.' What is the team news? Former Wales captain Sophie Ingle has been named in the squad and is fully fit, but has not played in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury so her possible role is unknown. Wales have no other injury concerns but defender Mayzee Davies was ruled out before the tournament. Forward Lineth Beerensteyn is a doubt for the Netherlands but Vivianne Miedema is fit to feature and is a goal away from reaching a century for the Netherlands. Jamie Braidwood5 July 2025 15:02 How to watch Wales v Netherlands When is Wales v Netherlands? The match will kick off at 5pm BST on Saturday 5 July How can I watch it? It will be shown live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and S4C, with coverage starting from 4:15pm. Jamie Braidwood5 July 2025 15:01 Good afternoon Wales make their major tournament debuts as they take on Netherlands at Euro 2025. The Welsh are the lowest-ranked team at the Euros and have been drawn in a heavyweight group alongside holders England, 2017 champions Netherlands and France. But Wales are determined to embrace the occasion and inspire a generation back home when they play the Netherlands in Lucerne. 'This is what we've been wanting,' head coach Rhian Wilkinson said. 'To showcase Wales as a country, this team and their talent.' Former captain Sophie Ingle has been named in the Wales squad despite not playing a competitive match in over a year after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while Netherlands have a number of star players including striker Vivianne Miedema. "They are a top team, very fluid, and have some of the biggest stars in the game,' Wilkinson said. "They're really an enjoyable team to watch and I'm looking forward to challenging my team against them.' Jamie Braidwood5 July 2025 15:00
