
Morgan claims England 'never beaten' as subs remain vital for Wiegman
It is indicative of the precision and impact Wiegman seeks to have with her substitutes and proved game-changing as the Lionesses scored two quickfire goals to take Sweden to extra-time in Zurich.
For Morgan, the deficit proved freeing in her major tournament debut as she looked to haul England back from the precipice of an exit after entering in the 70th minute.
'I was really excited to be able to come on and have the mindset with [Beth] Meado and Mich [Agyemang] that we have nothing to lose. Just try to make an impact,' she said.
'Not long after that Chloe [Kelly] came on and served up two brilliant crosses for us to come back. That was just such a thrill and then you've got the adrenaline going.
'When extra-time comes you know you've got another 30 minutes of football, so you've got to re-regulate, bring yourself back down level and focus.
'We managed to battle through that and hang on even with people going down and then penalties came and that was just ridiculous really.'
Morgan looked completely at home in the new-look back three despite playing her first European Championship minutes in one of the most intense encounters of the competition so far.
Having missed Euro 2022 through injury and remained an unused substitute during the 2023 World Cup, it was particularly emotional for her family, who were there in support and watched on through a nerve-wracking 14 penalties.
'It was really, really special. Apparently, my mum was sobbing when I came on, bless her! It doesn't take much to set her off watching the football,' said Morgan.
'She was crying as well after we won on penalties, so a lot of tears were shed.
'I was just really excited to get the opportunity. I've been working hard throughout the tournament to stay prepared if I was called upon so I felt really ready when that happened to be able to make an impact and a good contribution to the team.
'Being able to turn it around and get the win in the end was such a joyous moment.'
England's is a bench that has consistently caught headlines as Morgan and her peers have big shoes to fill.
Whether for the impact of Ella Toone, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo three years ago at Euro 2022, or for their 'snapping' celebration after Beth Mead's goal against Wales the Lionesses' bench has remained impactful.
Against Sweden, it proved no different.
Kelly's impact, in particular, was remarkable. She was instrumental in both of England's open play goals before going on to score a decisive penalty in the shootout.
'She's an incredible player. She seems to thrive on these moments when the team needs her to pull a performance out of the bag,' Morgan reflected.
'She was getting in great positions in the wide areas and Chloe is a brilliant crosser of the ball so when I saw her cut in, I just knew she was going to land it on somebody's head. Thankfully, people were there ready to finish it off.
'Obviously she had a decisive penalty as well and under that pressure, there is no one I would rather have in that position.
'She's so reliable and just so composed and calm. She said afterwards that she made eye contact with the 'keeper and she was smirking at her, so she just started laughing.
'I just think the composure in that moment to just be so free and at ease to be able to laugh just shows what a brilliant player she is at stepping up.'
Another player who entered the field alongside Morgan also proved vital in England's efforts to turn around the two-goal deficit.
Michelle Agyemang, at just 19 years old, came on to score the equaliser and turn in a brilliant display as a second striker that had Morgan singing her praises.
'I'm so proud of the impact she has been able to make,' she said of the forward.
'At the end of the game I just said, 'Mich, you are clutch,' because that's twice now she's stepped up in pressured situations to come off the bench and make an incredible impact.
'She's someone we know we can turn to in stressful situations to be a presence, holding the ball up, linking play, making runs in behind.
'She's an incredibly hard worker and has an incredible sense of the positions she should take up in the box to get on the end of chances.'
It is a strength in depth that has bailed England out on several occasions and a group that Wiegman clearly trusts to turn to when the pressure is on.
As the manager often reinforces the 'togetherness' in the team, it is often those off the pitch that embody that mentally the most.
And as the Lionesses progress to a semi-final against Italy, there is no doubt that Wiegman will once more turn to Morgan and her
fellow 'finishers' to see England through regardless of the game state.
'On the bench we're always encouraging each other to spread belief to those on the pitch, but also to stay ready and make an impact,' added Morgan.
'That was what we spoke about when all of us were sat on the bench at the start of the second half, and all of us were.
'I'm really proud of everyone. We've just got such amazing character and grit and determination in the group that we're never beaten.'

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
England have it inside them to win
Euro 2025 final: England v SpainDate: Sunday, 27 July; Venue: St Jakob-Park, Basel; Time: 17:00 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer; live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds; text commentary on BBC Sport website and app Mariona Caldentey says England "have it inside them" to win Euro 2025 and Spain must be wary when the teams meet again in the game in Basel (17:00 BST kick-off) will be a repeat of the 2023 Women's World Cup final - which Spain won 1-0 in two teams also went head-to-head in this year's Women's Nations League, with England picking up a 1-0 victory at Wembley in February, before suffering a 2-1 defeat in Barcelona in Caldentey won the Women's Champions League with Arsenal this season and was named the WSL player of the year - so knows the Lionesses well. "I know the footballers they are and I know what they can do," Caldentey told BBC Sport. "It's a final, so they are dangerous even though they can't maybe play the greatest football yet, but they have it inside them. It will be a hard, but good game."Reigning champions England have had a rollercoaster tournament, overcoming several setbacks to reach their third successive major defeat by France in their opening group game, they came through a quarter-final penalty shootout against Sweden and needed an extra-time winner in their semi-final to beat champions Spain have now won six consecutive knockout matches at major tournaments - but will be competing in their first Euros final."Today we can enjoy. Tomorrow we have to start thinking of England," said two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati following their 1-0 win over Germany. "I know England have played twice for 120 minutes. We trust in our squad. We believe in our players. "They have a lot of players that we faced a lot of times and in 2023. We know them and they know us. We want to prepare the best we can."


BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
England star Lucy Bronze gives Lionesses their grit, her nan says
Lioness star Lucy Bronze provides her teammates with the "grit and determination" they need during tough matches, according to her Stapleton said she was incredibly proud of her granddaughter for helping her team win their Euro 2025 semi-final match, which saw England beat Italy in extra 89-year-old said Bronze, who is from Berwick in Northumberland, was an inspiration for her teammates and helped them to keep going during tough matches."She gives them that extra something that they need," she said, adding: "They see it in her and she passes it on to them somehow." Mrs Stapleton said she was "very tense" while watching the semi-final, which saw England take the match into extra time after scoring in the 96th minute. She said Bronze's determination was a trait she inherited from her family."We've all got that drive and determination that means you can't let things happen, you have to make them happen," she said. Bronze's brother, Jorge Bronze, has flown out to Zurich to watch the Lionesses play but said the tournament had not been an easy watch."Tournament football as a family member is not about enjoying yourself, it's always traumatic," he told BBC Radio Newcastle."I think they [England] have tried to keep that spirit of pure trauma throughout in this one."But he said after the Lionesses' turbulent run, he would not mind the tournament ending with a dramatic final."You know what, let's have penalties," he said. "Let's go through it again." Mrs Stapleton does not quite share her grandson's feelings about the final and admitted she was "terrified" for Sunday's game."But if they have a good game, play well and they play together as a team, that satisfies me," she Mrs Stapleton said she would not mind if her granddaughter's team pulled off another close win."I would like to think, that whatever the score is, England get one more," she said."That would satisfy me absolutely brilliantly."England will face Spain in Sunday's final at 17:00 BST. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Owen Farrell named on bench for Lions' second Test against Wallabies
Four days after captaining the Lions in the midweek victory over the First Nations and Pasifika, Farrell will make his first Test appearance since the 2023 World Cup as fly-half and inside centre cover. Head coach Andy Farrell has made three changes to the starting line-up that won the first Test 27-19, including the removal of Sione Tuipulotu, who is jettisoned from the matchday 23 completely with Bundee Aki taking his place in the number 12 jersey. Joe McCarthy has lost his battle with the foot condition plantar fasciitis so Ollie Chessum is drafted into the second row and there is an adjustment at loosehead prop where Andrew Porter is preferred ahead of Ellis Genge.