logo
'No regrets' for Wiegman - but who starts v Netherlands? Pick your XI

'No regrets' for Wiegman - but who starts v Netherlands? Pick your XI

BBC News06-07-2025
England manager Sarina Wiegman said she had "no regrets" with her starting 4-2-3-1 formation in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against France in their Euro 2025 opener.She has some big decisions to make as the Lionesses return to action against the Netherlands on Wednesday (17:00 BST), when they will need a much-improved performance to make their mark on Group D."I don't know yet," Wiegman said when asked if she will change formation against her former side."I make a lot of considerations before I make a starting line-up. Sometimes things go well, sometimes it doesn't go well - but I don't have regrets. We try to turn every stone before we make the line-up."Who should start for the Lionesses in what Beth Mead and Grace Clinton described as a "must-win" game on Wednesday? BBC Sport picks out some of the key decisions facing Wiegman - and you can choose the XI you want to start in Zurich below.
Clamour for Clinton to start? Toone instead of James?
England were overloaded in midfield with Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh unable to contain wave after wave of France attacks.Grace Clinton's introduction in the 77th minute, replacing Stanway, gave the Lionesses a different look in the middle of the park with the Manchester United midfielder providing some much-needed energy.Lauren James started for England against France, as she continues her return from a hamstring injury sustained in April, and she played in the number 10 role before going off on the hour mark.However, her free role sometimes left England exposed in midfield and they looked more secure when Ella Toone replaced her."If I was picking the team I definitely would have had Clinton in from the start," former England midfielder Izzy Christiansen told BBC Radio 5 Live."We know the talent of Lauren James but I'd have had it the other way. Start Clinton, bring James on to make an impact."Another position to consider is left-back, where Jess Carter was exposed numerous times by France's attackers before Niamh Charles replaced her for the final 30 minutes.Charles could provide a better option to deal with the pace of Netherlands forward Lineth Beerensteyn as well as captain Vivianne Miedema, both key attacking threats.Captain Leah Williamson said there are "different places available and different opposition", but should Wiegman stick or twist?Look at the squad list below and pick the XI you want to start in Zurich.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lando Norris holds off Oscar Piastri in thrilling finale to Hungarian Grand Prix
Lando Norris holds off Oscar Piastri in thrilling finale to Hungarian Grand Prix

The Independent

time24 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Lando Norris holds off Oscar Piastri in thrilling finale to Hungarian Grand Prix

Lando Norris held off a thrilling late charge from Oscar Piastri to win the Hungarian Grand Prix and reduce his F1 world championship rival's lead to nine points. Norris was running in fourth place but benefited from stopping for tyres one fewer time than his rivals to land his fifth victory of the season. The British driver took the chequered flag just six tenths ahead of Piastri, who went within centimetres of colliding with Norris on the last-but-one lap when he locked up his front-right tyre at the opening corner.'Remember how we go racing, Oscar,' came the warning from his race engineer, Tom Stallard. George Russell passed Charles Leclerc with eight laps to go to take the final spot on the podium. Pole-sitter Leclerc had to settle for fourth. Lewis Hamilton, who urged Ferrari to replace him after he qualified only 12th, finished in the same position, a lap down. Norris' win in the concluding round before the summer break – his third triumph from his last four appearances – reignites his bid to land a maiden world crown. But the Bristolian can count himself somewhat fortunate to be standing on the top step of the podium. Norris started third, and although he got away well from his marks, an attempt to pass Piastri on the inside of the opening corner backfired. Norris did not commit to the overtake and that left him in no-man's land, allowing Russell and then Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso to breeze through. On lap three, Norris fought his way clear of Alonso but was then tucked up behind Russell and making little progress. On Saturday, Hamilton described himself as 'absolutely useless' after he was knocked out of Q2 with Leclerc, in the other scarlet car, having taken the Scuderia's first pole of the year. By the end of the first lap, Hamilton dropped behind Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli and was 14th. By eight laps, he was 20 seconds behind Leclerc, and at the end of lap 14, he trailed his team-mate by half a minute. Piastri was the first of the leaders to blink, stopping for hard tyres on lap 18. Ferrari, reacting to Piastri's stop, pulled in Leclerc on the next lap. TOP-10 - HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX On fresh tyres, Piastri had been quicker than the Ferrari, but Leclerc managed to stay ahead. Russell also stopped on lap 19 promoting Norris to the lead. Further back, and Max Verstappen, who had also taken on fresh tyres, was tucked up behind Hamilton, yet to stop, in a duel for 11th. Verstappen threw his Red Bull underneath Hamilton's Ferrari at Turn 4 on lap 29, with the seven-time world champion running off the road and losing the place to his old nemesis. The flashpoint will be investigated by the stewards after the race. Returning to the front, and McLaren were now considering a one-stop strategy for Norris. His race engineer, Will Joseph, was on the radio: 'Lando, 40 laps on the hard tyre, you up for it?' Norris replied: 'Yeah, why not?' On lap 31 of 70 he came in for his sole change of tyres before lighting up the timesheets with the fastest laps of the race so far. Norris then dropped two wheels through the gravel on the exit of the chicane, which irked Joseph. 'Lando, just keep the focus, we don't want these mistakes,' he said. Both Leclerc and Piastri were forced to stop again on laps 40 and 45, respectively. Norris now led Leclerc by seven seconds, with Piastri five seconds further back. But Piastri was on the move, swatting Leclerc aside on lap 51 and then setting about reducing Norris' nine-second advantage. With five laps to go, Piastri was just a second behind, and on the penultimate lap attempted a banzai move at the first corner but Norris remained ahead to land what could be a pivotal win in his championship charge. Alonso finished fifth, one place ahead of rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. Verstappen finished ninth, with Hamilton fighting his way past Pierre Gasly and then Sainz but finished outside of the points on a desperate weekend for the 40-year-old. 'I am dead, I am dead,' Norris said. 'We were not planning on the one stop, but it was our only chance after the first lap. I have pushed hard, and my voice has gone a little bit but it was the perfect result today. 'We are so close in the championship, it is hard to say if the momentum is on either side, but it is fun racing against Oscar, and I just about held on so I look forward to plenty more of these.' Piastri said: 'I pushed as hard as I could. After I saw Lando take on the one stop, I knew I would have to overtake on track and that is easier said than done.'

The strategy that helped Lando Norris to Hungarian Grand Prix victory
The strategy that helped Lando Norris to Hungarian Grand Prix victory

The Independent

time24 minutes ago

  • The Independent

The strategy that helped Lando Norris to Hungarian Grand Prix victory

Lando Norris has secured victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, successfully fending off a thrilling late charge from Oscar Piastri. Norris's win, his fifth of the season, significantly reduces Piastri's lead in the world championship to just nine points. The British driver was originally in fourth but benefited from a one-stop tyre strategy, which allowed him to gain an advantage over his rivals. George Russell claimed the final podium spot by overtaking pole-sitter Charles Leclerc with eight laps remaining, while Lewis Hamilton finished 12th. The race culminated in a near collision between Norris and Piastri on the penultimate lap.

Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign
Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign

The Independent

time24 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Marlie Packer cleared for opening match of England's World Cup campaign

England flanker Marlie Packer will be available to feature in the opening match of the World Cup after being handed a one-match ban for her red card in Saturday's win over Spain. The 35-year-old was sent off in the second half of the Red Roses' 97-7 warm-up victory in Leicester following a clumsy clearout on the left leg of Spain full-back Claudia Pena. Packer's suspension rules her out of her country's final warm-up match, away to France on Saturday. Hosts England begin the World Cup on Friday, August 22 against the United States in Sunderland. In determining the sanction, World Rugby's foul play review committee noted Packer accepted foul play occurred but she did not agree the offence warranted a red card. Her challenge, which did not result in injury to Harlequins player Pena, was deemed to be 'reckless'. The committee decided the offence warranted a two-match ban but opted to award full 50 per cent mitigation. England's 15-try success at Welford Road was Packer's first match as captain since being replaced in the full-time role by Zoe Aldcroft in January. The Saracens forward, who has 111 Test caps, led the Red Roses to back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams in 2023 and 2024 and is one of head coach John Mitchell's vice-captains.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store