Sarina Wiegman: England are not thinking about consequences of Netherlands clash
England will become the first holders to crash out at the group stage if they lose and France avoid defeat to Wales.
'We don't talk about consequences,' Wiegman said. 'We talk about our game plan again, about what we have to do to be at our best and how we can exploit spaces that the Netherlands leave behind.'
Full squad out on the pitch today ahead of the Netherlands 👊 pic.twitter.com/V2pmk8KpKj
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 8, 2025
Saturday's defeat was also a first for Wiegman in the group stage of a major tournament, having led the Netherlands to the trophy in a flawless campaign, then doing the same with England four years later.
This is a different kind of jeopardy but not one that has changed Wiegman's perspective.
She said: 'It's a game. It's a football game and the outcome, of course, has consequences, but that was the same in the final in the Euros and the final in the World Cup.
'So we bring it back to 'what do we have to do?' And the focus is what actions do we have to take to play our best. That's the conversation we have with the players. That's what we train and how we can stick together?
'In good moments that's easier. When it's harder moments, how do we come together and get back to what we have to do.'
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo, who had a would-be opening goal chalked off against France, agreed England can rely on their good track record of responding to unfavourable results.
She said: 'Ultimately we don't like losing but when a result like that happens you have to reflect, you have to come together as a team.
'We have bounced back before, which will give us confidence. But also we know we weren't up to it against France.
Looking ahead 👊 pic.twitter.com/vl1cITvPqo
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 7, 2025
'Obviously they were a great team as well but we know within our standards that we want to be better.
'So I think that sets the bar for us in training and tomorrow night. We're our own biggest critics as players, so we're all ready to get back out and have another game.'
In the weeks leading up to this tournament, Wiegman and the Lionesses have branded themselves a 'new England', but on Monday midfielder Georgia Stanway said the side were determined to play a 'traditional style' of football.
However traditional and new ultimately intersect on Wednesday night, the match cannot come soon enough for Russo and her team-mates.
She added: 'When you have a disappointing result in football, all you want to do is get back out on the pitch and play again.
'Luckily with tournaments it comes around a bit quicker than normal. Four days is plenty for us to want to be back out on that pitch. I think everyone is ready and looking forward to tomorrow.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cameron Norrie backs ‘unreal' Carlos Alcaraz to win Wimbledon again
Cameron Norrie backed Carlos Alcaraz to win a third successive Wimbledon title after British singles hopes were ended in ruthless fashion on Centre Court. Norrie had hoped to become just the third home player in the open era to defeat a men's title holder in SW19 after Roger Taylor and Tim Henman but succumbed to a 6-2 6-3 6-3 quarter-final defeat in just an hour and 39 minutes. It was Alcaraz's 19th consecutive win at the All England Club and 23rd in a row overall, and Norrie said: 'It was a good experience to play probably the best player in the world at the moment, most confident player, on his best surface. 'I think he is the favourite, for sure. His level was unreal. I felt like a lot of the time, if I didn't do enough with the ball, he was going to punish me with a lot of his different options, with power. He's got the drop (shot) as well available. 'So I think I was missing a little bit more because I was pressing a bit more than usual, but I think that's credit to him – his physicality, his movement and power.' It has nevertheless been an excellent fortnight for the 29-year-old, who almost dropped out of the top 100 earlier this season three years after reaching the semi-finals here and has shown he can be a factor again. Norrie will climb back to around 43 in the rankings following the tournament and, having been out for three months last summer with an arm injury, missing the US Open, he has a good opportunity to make further significant gains. He was particularly proud of his fourth-round win over Nicolas Jarry, having withstood the Chilean's comeback to triumph in five sets, and he said: 'I think it's all kind of coming together. 'I told you guys that I was hitting the ball well all year. I wanted it to happen. I think actually winning the matches and actually going through these experiences, you can take so much confidence from this. 'I want to just continue to play with confidence. I feel like I've been through a lot of tough moments in this week and a half and a lot of different kind of players and being the favourite, being the underdog in different scenarios. I think I've tested myself in all different aspects of the game, which is huge. 'I really feel like I'm enjoying my tennis a lot. I think that's most important.' Norrie's progress meant he finally had to move from his favoured Court One on to the main stage, where he had lost four of his five previous matches, including against Alexander Zverev last year and Novak Djokovic in the last four in 2022. Against Djokovic he had taken the first set to conjure dreams of a home finalist but here, with Lord of the Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen watching from the first row of the Royal Box, the wizardry came from Alcaraz. Once the Spaniard had saved four break points in the second game, he reeled off five in a row, and Norrie never got close to him again. Alcaraz served brilliantly whenever his opponent had the sniff of an opportunity and eased through to a semi-final clash with American fifth seed Taylor Fritz on Friday. The 22-year-old was delighted with his performance, saying: 'Today was a great, great match. I think the best match so far in the tournament. Just really happy to see myself keep going, keep improving after every match, each day.' Alcaraz now has two days to prepare for his clash with Fritz, but his first priority is to try to set up a round of golf with Spider-Man actor Tom Holland, who was at the All England Club on Tuesday. 'There are some videos of him playing golf,' said Alcaraz. 'I would say he could beat me. But I would love to play against him. For me it would be such an honour. Let's see if he will be available, and we'll tee it up.'
The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Rashford turns up at Man Utd and trains alone despite being told he could stay away to find new club
MARCUS RASHFORD reported to Carrington for pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday – despite being told he could stay away. Ruben Amorim decided last week that the England forward and four other first team stars would be given extra time off to find a new club. And there was no sign of any of them as some of the Manchester United squad were put through their paces on the first two mornings. But it is understood Rashford, 27, asked if he could go and work at the training ground in a bid to keep up his fitness. United had made it clear any of the five – which also includes Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia – would still have access to the rehab and medical facilities. So the Three Lions striker decided he would like to take up that opportunity. On Monday morning, Amorim had welcomed several stars – including new £62.5 million signing Matheus Cunha – back to work after the summer break. United insiders say it was agreed that Rashford would report to Carrington in the afternoon and was given full access to the performance support department. And it was a similar story today when the forward again trained away from Amorim's squad. Sources close to Rashford had said on Friday that the former Aston Villa loanee was planning to report back with his team-mates and was ready to give 100 per cent. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK However hours later came the confirmation from the club that the five wantaway stars were being given time off to sort out their futures. The long-serving ace is being monitored by both Barcelona and Bayern Munich during the transfer window. A move to the Nou Camp would be a dream for him and his chances increased when Nico Williams turned down the Catalan giants to sign a new deal with Athletic Bilbao last week. Amorim's men will be working at their training ground for the next two weeks before embarking on a two week pre-season tour of the USA. None of the five who have been banished from training are expected to be named in the squad to go on the three match trip. Sources in Rashford's camp have indicated he has not handed in a transfer request – but accepts it may be time for him to move on after two decades with the club. 2
The Guardian
26 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘He was too good': Norrie upbeat despite Wimbledon exit at hands of Alcaraz
Cameron Norrie said he leaves the All England Club proud of his performances and fight after falling 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 to an imperious Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon on Tuesday afternoon. 'Amazing, amazing experience,' said Norrie. 'He played a very high level. I think if you asked him, he would agree with that. It was good fun. Those are the kind of matches that you want to think about and you want to play. You do all the hard work, you do extra stuff with your coach, you do extra fitness, and you do all these things to get ready for matches like this. I wanted to just go out there, no excuses, just play. I did that. He was too good today. I fought till the last point, so I can be proud.' Alcaraz, the second seed, is attempting to become the fifth man in the Open era to win three consecutive Wimbledon titles. The 22 year-old has been in some of the best form of his life recently, winning the French Open last month and establishing a 23-match winning streak. Alongside his usual excellence with his groundstrokes and variety of shots, Alcaraz served brilliantly against Norrie, losing just six points on his first serve in the entire match. 'On grass when you're serving great or you feel you're serving great, then playing from the baseline or playing the return games, you just have more confidence and play calmly and think clearly,' said Alcaraz. 'So I think feeling great in the serve, it gave me a lot of calm to play great tennis from the baseline. ' Norrie, a former British No 1 who rose as high as eighth in the ATP rankings in 2022, has been on the comeback trail after a difficult period on the court due to poor form and injury. He fell as low as No 91 in May but he will return to the top 50 on Monday at No 43. 'I really feel like I'm enjoying my tennis a lot,' said Norrie. 'I think that's most important. Obviously I didn't play at all from this period onwards last year. I can just keep pushing kind of for my ranking. My level is there.' Alcaraz will face Taylor Fritz, the fifth seed, in the semi-finals after the American defeated Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4).
