The celebration soon turned to sadness as France and Spain clinched top spot
Despite a dominant 6-0 victory against Scotland on Tuesday, England’s Lionesses saw their hopes of a Paris Olympic berth dashed in late drama as the Netherlands secured the top spot in their Nations League group. Lucy Bronze’s last-minute goal initially sparked celebration, leading the Lionesses to believe they had clinched Group A1 and secured a spot in the Nations League semi-finals. However, the Netherlands’ Damaris Egurrola’s two added-time goals in a 4-0 win against Belgium allowed them to claim the top position. England coach Sarina Wiegman expressed deep disappointment, as both teams finished with 12 points, but the Dutch secured the lead on goal difference (8-7).
“Obviously devastated to lose out on such small margins,” England’s Beth Mead told the media.
“We got the goals later on, we thought we’d maybe got over the line, but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be,” she added. “It’s a tough one, I think the girls have worked really hard, I thought we were incredible. Unfortunately it was out of our hands.”
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England came from behind to beat the Netherlands 3-2 on Friday in a must-win game to set up Tuesday’s thrilling finale. Lauren James scored two in the first half less than two minutes apart, while Mead netted in her first start with the World Cup finalists in more than a year due to a knee injury.
Alex Greenwood and Fran Kirby also scored for the Lionesses who were ruthless in their quest for goals, retrieving the ball from the net with no celebration to run back to the centre circle after each one.
England keeper Mary Earps, who was “gutted” after conceding twice against the Netherlands on Friday, made a spectacular last-gasp save before Bronze added England’s sixth with her head in the 93rd minute, pumping both fists in celebration. Yet the celebration soon turned to sadness.
“I said to the players: I don’t know what to say because I’m very proud but we’re not through and that’s very disappointing,” Wiegman said. “If you win 6-0 that doesn’t happen very often anymore in the women’s game. Six goals is a lot. If the Netherlands also scored four goals then it’s not enough.”
The two finalists of the inaugural Nations League tournament – or top three if Olympic host France are one of the finalists – earn berths in the Paris Games. Germany’s 0-0 draw with Wales on Tuesday was enough for them to clinch top spot in their group and move on to the Feb. 23-28 four-team knockout round.
France and Spain clinched top spot in their groups.
