‘Very high’ expectations on England’s Lionesses at World Cup, Georgia Stanway says
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England were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Portugal in their final match before the Lionesses head to the Women’s World Cup.
The hosts dominated possession and had several chances to take the lead at Milton Keynes but could not find the breakthrough, with Alessia Russo coming closest with a shot that was cleared off the line by Portugal defender Marques Borges.
Russo also dragged a chance wide after a pull-back from Chloe Kelly while Lucy Bronze hit the post from a corner during a flurry of second-half chances.
England fly to Australia later this week and play their opening match of the World Cup against Haiti on July 22. Before then the Lionesses will play Canada in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Brisbane.
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Lionesses have no need to panic – Sarina Wiegman has found another weapon
The Lionesses couldn’t hide it, Sarina Wiegman admitted it: England head to the Women’s World Cup with a feeling of disappointment and frustration. A goalless draw against Portugal was not the send-off England wanted and several missed chances spoiled the expectant atmosphere in Milton Keynes.
There was always going to be an element of rustiness at play here, five weeks after many of England’s players had their final match of the domestic season. This was England’s first game for two of months, a fixture that was arranged with conditioning in mind as much as anything else, with a focus on sharpening minds and combinations ahead of the World Cup rather than results.
Had it been for one of those chances falling in – if Alessia Russo hadn’t been denied by the sliding defender Marques Borges after rounding the goalkeeper, or if Lucy Bronze’s header had drifted inside the post moments later, then of course England would have an outlook that is much much rosier ahead of the World Cup.
But they didn’t – and it means that England suddenly head into the World Cup without a win in two games, both of which have come without a goal.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 19:08
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FULL TIME! England 0-0 Portugal
England were unable to make the most of their chances as they were held to a goalless draw by Portugal in their send-off warm-up match at Stadium MK ahead of the Women’s World Cup.
Georgia Stanway sent an effort against the bar, Lucy Bronze’s header hit the post and substitute Alessia Russo was denied by a goalline block as the European champions created a number of opportunities to no avail.
Other notable moments included Lauren Hemp heading over and Russo firing wide from fine positions in a somewhat frustrating last home game for the Lionesses before departing the country for this summer’s showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.
Sarina Wiegman’s players fly to Australia on Wednesday and face Canada behind closed doors in another, final warm-up on July 14 before opening their World Cup campaign against Haiti in Brisbane eight days later.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 18:03
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Wiegman, speaking to ITV: “We are disappointed that we didn’t score a goal. I think we have seen a lot of things. I think we were too slow in our possession game in the first half. We did a little better in the second half and in moments we played quicker and the tempo was higher. Although we did create lots of chances, shots doesn’t say everything. We should have put it in the back of the net. We all know that.”
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:35
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The closest England came.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:34
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The Lionesses still got a great reception by the England fans here. Still, a few players couldn’t hide their disappointment at full-time. Next stop: Brisbane.
(The FA via Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:21
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Disappointment for England.
Not the send-off they wanted before the World Cup but there will be plenty of positives to take from that I’m sure.
The Lionesses created loads of chances and their attacking play was excellent at times.
They just couldn’t take those chances – but better to get that out of the way than in Australia!
England will head Down Under later this week.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:11
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90+4 mins: Through to Russo! BLOCKED by the recovering Portugal defender! Some of their defending has been excellent today.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:11
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90+2 mins: Kelly’s cross is blocked as she looks to send an inswinger into the box, before the ball doesn’t drop to James after a flick from Bronze.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:09
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90 mins: Time is running out for England. There will be just five minutes of added time left to get the breakthrough.
There has been a sell-out crowd of over 26,000 at Milton Keynes today.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:07
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85 mins: The second half has been an onslaught of England chances… Kelly creates room for the cross again on the right: it breaks to Russo but doesn’t quite come down in time. The striker is still able to get a shot off, but it doesn’t trouble the goalkeeper.
Again, that is not the only time we’re said that today.
Jamie Braidwood1 July 2023 17:01
