By Catherine MacKenzie (03/04/2025)
Above: The Lionesses lineup to face Spain in February. Photo: England Women.
The Lionesses return in a double header against the Red Flames in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, the second-to-last window before this summer’s European Championships.
This week, England’s Lionesses face a double header against Belgium’s Red Flames, in the UEFA Women’s Nations League. The UWNL is viewed variously by fans: some view the league as a collection of glorified friendlies, whilst others focus on the potential for a trophy.
There is also the impact the final standings will have on qualifying for the 2027 World Cup, where England will be eager to avoid yet another tough qualifying group – qualifying for this summer’s European Championships, they faced several top teams, including France and Sweden, and they have been handed difficult groups for the Nations League and European Championships as well.
The games also hold a more abstract importance. When we last saw England, they beat world champions Spain at Wembley, which followed a mixed performance against Portugal. The expectations on this Lionesses team are huge – you only have to look at responses to the team either losing or even winning without domination to see that.
Whilst the USA failing to win the She Believes Cup was accepted by USWNT fans because it was a “minor tournament used to grow the squad and embed new players”, England do not get that chance. Any perceived ‘dropping of the ball’ is seen as a sign that the team (and its head coach) are ‘finished’, that England will never win a trophy again. Ahead of a major tournament this summer, there is a need for proportionality.
So let’s dig in to what the most pressing matters are for England, in the context of two competitive games against Belgium and balance:
- Facing yet another team outside the top 10
Belgium, along with other teams around their FIFA ranking, have proved difficult opponents for England in the past. In the 2023 iteration of the Nations League, England won one and lost one against the Red Flames – however it is worth mentioning that those games were very soon after the world cup final, where England narrowly lost to Spain in their first world cup final appearance since 1966. The physical and emotional toll of that tournament were still being felt – and many players have spoken about the difficult months over that winter. It is not altogether surprising that performances dropped for a team that reached the final half-way across the world.
In their last camp, England conceded late to draw with Portugal before conquering the number two in the world (Spain). This is a team who know how to raise their game to face the best opponents; however, we have seen them fall to lower-ranked nations on occasion. The consistency and concentration levels are going to be ever-more important due to injuries to senior members of the starting eleven like Georgia Stanway and Alex Greenwood. How the rest of the team manage to remain consistent over the 90 minutes (and across multiple international windows) will provide insight into the progress the younger members have made.
- Goalkeepers battling for third
The battle to be the Lionesses’ no. 1 for Euro 2025 is heating up as we inch closer to the tournament. Hannah Hampton and Mary Earps are splitting the duties between the sticks 50/50 at the moment, however the decision-deadline is fast approaching.
What is intriguing but rarely discussed is the battle for the third goalkeeping spot in the squad. The Lionesses can take three keepers to Switzerland this summer, and that third spot is seemingly tied between Manchester City’s twenty-year-old Khiara Keating, and Orlando Pride’s thirty-year old Anna Moorhouse. Whilst Moorhouse has trophies in the bank including last year’s NWSL championship and shield, Keating has featured for the U23s and has had brilliant performances for Manchester City.
Coming into this camp, that third spot seemed secure for Moorhouse. Keating’s form took a hit earlier in the WSL season, and she lost her starting spot for City. However, she has recently had a resurgence, putting in a player-of-the-match performance against Chelsea. Keating’s inclusion in this squad shows that Wiegman and her staff want another look at the City keeper.
- Left back depth
Left-back has been a bit of a sore spot for England for years. There is no senior left-footed defender in the England set-up apart from Alex Greenwood, so whoever plays left-back is relying on their weaker left-foot. Since Rachel Daly’s retirement and Greenwood’s injury, the spot has primarily been taken by Chelsea’s Niamh Charles – however she is struggling for game-time this calendar year with France’s Sandy Baltimore often getting the nod instead. This will be a concern for Wiegman, particularly as there is no natural back-up for Charles in the squad.
- Backup for Russo
Depth is also a potential issue up front. England’s main outlet for goals is Alessia Russo, who after a difficult start, has been on electrifying form for Arsenal this season. Her link-up with teammates Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead have been particularly impressive, and she has nailed down that starting spot for England.
There is no obvious back-up for Russo, however. Aggie-Beever Jones has been improving steadily at Chelsea and has made her senior England debut; however, she is still young and relatively inexperienced to rely on for long periods. Nikita Parris has been included in recent squads for perhaps this reason, and it will be interesting to see if she gets any minutes against the Red Flames.
- Midfield personnel
Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh have been the most consistent pairing in midfield this Lionesses squad have had. Together, they work well and have settled into a partnership that has lasted two tournaments and counting. With Stanway’s injury, Grace Clinton has been playing in a deeper role to her preferred no.10. This has been mostly successful against Spain and Portugal, one lapse in concentration aside.
Playing Clinton deeper is is also a way of getting her on the pitch at the same time as Manchester United team-mate Ella Toone, who has played an integral role for England since Euro 2022. Her ability to score goals from ‘out of nowhere’ has been incredibly beneficial to the Lionesses and being able to field both has worked for both United and England.
What will be interesting is what happens on Stanway’s return from injury – she is expected back before the European Championships this summer. If she does return to the fold, it is likely that she would start in partnership with Walsh, and Clinton may be relegated to an impact player as a substitute. This may be how she gets more minutes in her preferred role, but then we would miss that burgeoning link up with teammate Toone.
England are currently joint-top of their group with Portugal, with one draw and one win so far. Following the double header against Belgium, their last window before the Euros will see them face Portugal at home and Spain away.
England v Belgium kicks off at 8pm UK time, Friday evening on ITV. The away leg kicks off at 19:30 UK time on Tuesday 8th April, also on ITV.
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