FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Final, England vs Spain Live Score: Confirmed lineups, team news and more | Football News
Unlike Gareth Southgate’s men, Sarina Wiegman’s women highlight English football’s attacking richesteam, which features Barcelona players Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 live: The contrast between the England men and women when it comes to attacking approach is palpable. (AP/Twitter)
The minute was 86th. The match, a World Cup semifinal. England were already 2-1 up. The old textbook would suggest them to see this through defending deep and bombarding bodies inside their own box to deal with incoming threats. Instead, Lauren Hemp – who had already run her fair share of miles in the game – burst towards the Australian goal with four yellow shirts in front of her while two approached from behind. Alessia Russo was there to her right, but England were outnumbered – five to two. And yet, the 23-year-old kept sprinting until she cut inside and thread a through ball for Russo the other way. A one touch finish and England were 3-1 up. Against the hosts, in front of an almost 75,000 strong crowd rooting hard for their failure.
Their defence in the minutes that followed was evidence to the fact that the European champions would’ve been alright even if they didn’t get another goal after their second. But they did. It’s been in their nature for a while now. To kill the opposition while it’s down. The 151 goals in 38 games under Sarina Wiegman prove so. That’s right, a hundred and fifty one. The Dutch manager has shaped the Lionesses into an attacking machine. An English side that doesn’t shy away from juicing the most out of its attacking riches. In stark contrast, stand the Three Lions with their measured approach.
While the women’s team go full throttle in attack, the men’s outfit more often than not is content on seeing the match out after having a one-goal advantage. A tactic that has betrayed them in big games multiple times. This was never more apparent than in the Euro 2020 final against Italy in front of a buoyant home crowd at Wembley. After Luke Shaw opened the scoring at just two minutes, Gareth Southgate’s side seemed content to sit back and see out the match with that slender lead. Until the inevitable and long-time coming response from Leonardo Bonucci. (READ MORE)
