Ian Wright names England's key mistake in first half of Women's Euro 2025 final against Spain
Hemp found herself with the first clear sight of goal for either side after good work by Lauren James helped hurry Spanish goalkeeper Catalina Coll and turnover possession in the box.
The 24-year-old Manchester City forward steadied herself before firing a low shot from a tight angle which Coll saved well with her left foot, when James had been waiting alongside Hemp with a far clearer sight of goal.
And the miss proved costly, as Spain took the lead soon afterwards when Mariona Caldentey headed home in the 25th minute. Ona Batlle whipped in a cross from the right, after good work by Aitana Bonmati, and Caldentey steered it powerfully past a stranded Hannah Hampton in the England goal.
Wright said it was a huge moment in the half.
'I think she has to pass that,' said Wright. 'If she does, [James] gets a tap-in. An unbelievable chance ... she has to cut that back to Lauren James.'
Wright said England were 'off it' in the first period and lacked sharpness to match Spain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
8 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Tuesday's briefing: England set for open-top bus parade as Carabao Cup kicks off
Sarina Wiegman led the calls for further investment in the women's game to ensure her adopted country remains a 'trailblazer' for the sport. England's celebrations continue on Tuesday with an open-top bus parade through central London. And the Carabao Cup returns as Barnet host Newport on Tuesday night in the newly-created preliminary round. The smiles of champions 😁🏆 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 The back-to-back European Championship winners were greeted by hundreds of fans at Southend Airport upon their arrival on Monday afternoon. Captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane, which was branded with the word 'home' on it, with the trophy alongside head coach Wiegman. History makers 🏴 — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 28, 2025 Crowds lined the street to cheer the Lionesses as they arrived at Downing Street just before 7pm for a special reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Number 10 was decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over the windows and bunting along the railings. After the England squad lined up for a picture outside Number 10 and took selfies inside, boss Wiegman addressed those in attendance. 'We need some more investment,' Wiegman insisted. 'We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' Pep Guardiola revealed his plans for the future as a recent interview with GQ Spain was published. The Catalan has been at Manchester City since 2016 and ended speculation over his future last season when he signed a new contract to run for another two years. However, Guardiola told GQ: 'I know that after this stage with City I'm going to stop, that's for sure. 'It's decided, more than decided. I don't know how long I'll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15, I don't know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself.' Luis Diaz took another step towards a 75 million euro (£65m) move to Bayern Munich after he left Liverpool's training camp in Japan. A deal between the two clubs was struck on Sunday and a day later Diaz was given permission to head to Germany for a medical. Other transfers continue to be negotiated with Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore seemingly set for a season-long loan at Rangers, while Jan Bednarek ended his eight-year stay at Southampton after he agreed to join Porto. The #CarabaoCup returns TOMORROW! 😍🏆#EFL — Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) July 28, 2025 The Lionesses' celebrations continue as they will go on an open-top bus parade through central London along The Mall and end at Buckingham Palace. There is action elsewhere, though, as the Carabao Cup begins. Barnet will host Newport on Tuesday night in the newly-created preliminary round – due to nine Premier League clubs being in Europe and therefore not involved in the first two rounds – with the winner set to host Millwall next week.
Rhyl Journal
8 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Tuesday's briefing: England set for open-top bus parade as Carabao Cup kicks off
Sarina Wiegman led the calls for further investment in the women's game to ensure her adopted country remains a 'trailblazer' for the sport. England's celebrations continue on Tuesday with an open-top bus parade through central London. And the Carabao Cup returns as Barnet host Newport on Tuesday night in the newly-created preliminary round. The smiles of champions 😁🏆 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 The back-to-back European Championship winners were greeted by hundreds of fans at Southend Airport upon their arrival on Monday afternoon. Captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane, which was branded with the word 'home' on it, with the trophy alongside head coach Wiegman. History makers 🏴 — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 28, 2025 Crowds lined the street to cheer the Lionesses as they arrived at Downing Street just before 7pm for a special reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Number 10 was decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over the windows and bunting along the railings. After the England squad lined up for a picture outside Number 10 and took selfies inside, boss Wiegman addressed those in attendance. 'We need some more investment,' Wiegman insisted. 'We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' Pep Guardiola revealed his plans for the future as a recent interview with GQ Spain was published. The Catalan has been at Manchester City since 2016 and ended speculation over his future last season when he signed a new contract to run for another two years. However, Guardiola told GQ: 'I know that after this stage with City I'm going to stop, that's for sure. 'It's decided, more than decided. I don't know how long I'll stop for, a year, two years, three years, five, 10, 15, I don't know. But I will leave after this spell with City because I need to stop and focus on myself.' Luis Diaz took another step towards a 75 million euro (£65m) move to Bayern Munich after he left Liverpool's training camp in Japan. A deal between the two clubs was struck on Sunday and a day later Diaz was given permission to head to Germany for a medical. Other transfers continue to be negotiated with Tottenham youngster Mikey Moore seemingly set for a season-long loan at Rangers, while Jan Bednarek ended his eight-year stay at Southampton after he agreed to join Porto. The #CarabaoCup returns TOMORROW! 😍🏆#EFL — Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) July 28, 2025 The Lionesses' celebrations continue as they will go on an open-top bus parade through central London along The Mall and end at Buckingham Palace. There is action elsewhere, though, as the Carabao Cup begins. Barnet will host Newport on Tuesday night in the newly-created preliminary round – due to nine Premier League clubs being in Europe and therefore not involved in the first two rounds – with the winner set to host Millwall next week.
The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
Thousands set to descend on London as Lionesses' Euros celebrations continue
Thousands of fans are expected to descend on central London as celebrations for England's historic European Championships victory continue with an open-top bus procession on Tuesday. Supporters cheered with joy across the country as the team defended their Euros title with a penalty shootout win over Spain in the final in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. The revelry is set to continue when the Lionesses and their head coach Sarina Wiegman make their way along the Mall near Buckingham Palace on the bus just after midday, with thousands of fans set to line the road to join in the celebrations. There will also be a trophy ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of the palace, hosted by former England right-back Alex Scott. The free event is hosted by the FA, which has warned fans to plan their visit 'carefully' as they expect it to be very busy. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the FA, said: 'We are so proud of all of the players, Sarina and the support team who have all been part of this incredible achievement. They have all worked unbelievably hard and we know the nation shares our pride. 'The victory celebration in London on Tuesday will give England fans an opportunity to celebrate with the players, and be part of history. 'We've had amazing support from our fans both in Switzerland and at home throughout the tournament, and we look forward to celebrating together and creating some lifelong memories.' The procession comes after celebrations on home soil began on Monday afternoon when the team landed at Southend Airport in Essex. Hundreds of fans waited patiently to catch a glimpse of Wiegman's side and the trophy, which captain Leah Williamson held up in front of jubilant crowds, before the squad made their way to Downing Street for a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. Number 10 was decorated for the occasion, with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. Wiegman and some of her Lionesses spoke to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer via video call from the garden of No 10. The Dutchwoman said 'hello Keir, nice to see you', adding 'it's lovely here'. Sir Keir said: 'Fantastic to see you all and welcome to Downing Street. I just wanted to say a huge, huge congratulations to you and to the whole team. 'It was an absolutely amazing victory and you must've felt the eyes and ears of the whole country on you last night.' At the reception, Wiegman congratulated her team and called for more investment in the women's game, saying: 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team.' Speaking a few hours before the Government announced a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football, she added: 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more.' On Monday night, the Government announced plans for priority access to grassroots football pitches for girls and women to be more than doubled. As part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's proposals, prime time slots dedicated to women's and girls' teams at Government-funded facilities across England will be increased over the next five years to meet the expected increased demand after the Lionesses' dramatic win. As well as the Prime Minister, the King also congratulated the European champions, saying in a statement posted on X: 'You have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms. 'Well done, Lionesses.' The Prince of Wales was spotted in the stands in Basel on Sunday applauding with those around him, including Princess Charlotte, and royal celebrations could continue as a trip to Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle may be arranged for the team as plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides, it is understood.
