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How the Lionesses won the Euros: Belief, togetherness, and a cavapoo

By Catherine MacKenzie (29/07/2025)

Above: Lionesses celebrate their Euros win. Photo: GirlsOnTheBall.

England emerged victorious on Sunday evening after a tumultuous tournament that saw them defy the odds time and time again. In this piece, Impetus Football’s Catherine MacKenzie considers the reasons behind the success.

Think back to July the 6^th 2025. The Euros had just kicked off and England had lost their opening game, a 2-1 defeat to France that felt much worse than the scoreline suggests. In her ITV commentary, Karen Carney suggested England were “bullied”, and this was true: the Lionesses won only 42% of their duels; 41% of their ground duels, and 44% of their aerial duels. The English media were unforgiving, and reaching the knockout stages of the competition felt like a fever dream. The most staggering thing about the loss? It probably played a key role in their eventual tournament win.

Think even further back to June 5^th. This was the date that head coach Sarina Wiegman announced her Euros squad, and it was missing some key names: Mary Earps and Fran Kirby had retired from international football, and Millie Bright withdrew from contention, citing her mental and physical wellbeing. The word crisis was being used by the media, and Wiegman was forced to defend not only her decisions, but her entire approach to squad management as the media questioned if the Lionesses’ boss was too blunt in her conversations with players.

Then there were the injuries. Some of the squad’s most vital players were only just recovering from long-term injuries; Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Alex Greenwood, and Lauren James had all played limited football at club before the tournament due to long-term injury.

Today England celebrate the Lionesses winning their second consecutive Euros – the first time a senior England team won a major tournament on foreign soil. At many points throughout the last few months, this felt absolutely impossible – but the impossible did happen. Despite numerous setbacks both on and off the pitch (exemplified by Lucy Bronze revealing that she had played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia), football stayed home.

Tactical adaptations and the benefits of France loss

In England’s send off game against Jamaica (a 7-0 win), Chelsea star Lauren James played in the number 10 role. This came as a bit of a surprise – her best position is arguably on the right wing – however it seemed to work, albeit against an opponent that gave James enough space to be creative despite the confines of the role. That she started in the 10 against France was also therefore unsurprising, however against a tough opponent, her position did not work.

The loss exposed England’s weaknesses. These were cracks that we already knew were there – a lack of pace in the back line, lack of depth at left-back – the surprise came at the extent to which these weaknesses were exploited. At times, particularly during the first half, France waltzed through to the England box with ease. England were better in the second half, but were already 2-0 down, and there seemed little hope of a comeback.

**Above**: the Lionesses against France. **Photo:** Alexander Hassenstein.

Teenager Michelle Agyemang was introduced in the closing stages of the game; an incredible show of trust from a manager often accused of not giving young players enough chances. Her introduction sparked a resurgence from England, and they succeeded in getting one goal back, a low shot from an unlikely source in Keira Walsh.

The response was emphatic: on their podcast Boots, Balls, and Bras, ex-Lionesses Fara Williams and Anita Asante complained that the fault lie with Wiegman; others said the same. That Agyemang was only introduced with minutes to go, the lack of urgency in the performance were both the key narratives in the English media. The question became: would the Lionesses bounce back, or would they let the result overwhelm them? The following morning, they held a meeting:

“It was a really helpful meeting. We watched clips but there was a lot of communication,” Georgia Stanway said in That Lionesses Podcast. “We had a lot of discussions which are also super healthy. Twenty-four hours after the game you’re a lot calmer and more logical about the situation. It was communicating about what we need from each other.”

England’s next game came quickly after, against Wiegman’s homeland the Netherlands. The Dutch had been through a rollercoaster of their own – head coach Andries Jonker would be leaving at the end of the tournament, and there had been chaos in press conferences culminating in Jonker and a Dutch journalist calling each other’s work a “puppet show”. The OranjeLeeuwinnen were on good form however, beating Wales 3-0 in their opening game. The return of Vivianne Miedema was the highlight – as was her 100^th international goal against Wales.

The fear was that the Netherlands would exploit the same weaknesses as the French, and that England would be low on the confidence needed to combat this. This is where Wiegman’s tactical changes came into play: Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood shifted roles in defence, with Carter moving central to partner Leah Williamson, and Greenwood moving to left-back. This shift provided Carter with more protection, and allowed Greenwood to more freely distribute the ball.

The other major change was in James’ position. James moved back out to the right wing, with Ella Toone playing in the 10. Toone is more physical than James, and a stronger midfield presence.

These changes paid off, and England beat the Netherlands convincingly in a 4-0 routing, the biggest defeat the Dutch had ever suffered at a major tournament.

In the semi-final against Sweden, England were 2-0 down at half-time again, and Wiegman opted for a surprising change: Carter and Williamson switched sides at centre-back, so Williamson was on the left side of the pairing. There was more space down the left as Carter had been left comparatively free, so Williamson had the room to distribute and get the ball forward more easily.

The tactical tweaks did not end there. For the final, James and Hemp switched sides, so James was playing on the left and Hemp on the right. After half-time, Lucy Bronze moved up to central midfield, providing extra protection for a backline that would be incredibly busy facing the world’s most technically gifted players.

That so many tweaks were made shows that a major impact can be made with the same eleven players who started the game, and that personnel changes are not the only way to have a major impact.

Togetherness

This tournament has been won by mentality. England spent just over four minutes of their knockout games ahead, with over 300 minutes coming at least 1-0 down. And that is when they played their best football. Whilst analysis will be made on why this happens, the fact is that the Lionesses have a mentality that means they never think they are done. They don’t see 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go as an impossible hurdle; they see it as 10 minutes of opportunity.

This mentality first emerged following the opening defeat by France. There was a subsequent atmosphere around the camp that changed momentum; players and staff had “difficult conversations”, and the team saw every game from then on as a final. As Michelle Agyemang stated in That Lionesses Podcast:

“I think that fight, you know every single game to be fair ever since the Netherlands game, it’s been a final for us and we’ve gone into every single game with that confidence and to see us pull it out the fire last-minute almost every single time shows that resilience and that belief and I think taking that for myself is really important.”

Lauren Hemp echoed this, saying: “The team spirit is incredible from this team and I think as long as we stick together and push through the hard moments of the game, because it’s not always going to be simple, um, and just expressing ourself and just showing our qualities, and yeah doing that together as a team.”

According to members of the squad, this mentality has origins in being ‘proper English’, emphasised by motivational speeches from Wiegman:

“[Proper England] means we’ll work hard, we’ll work until we can’t run anymore. We’ll stick together. And we know we’re very dominant on the ball as well… that’s our standard, and that’s our DNA as a team.” (Lucy Bronze)

Ella Toone emphasised the importance of Wiegman’s speeches: “We had a good one before the Italy game the night before in the meeting, one that definitely stood out, then again before the game.”

Leah Williamson expanded on this: “Sarina’s speeches before the games have definitely got us motivated. Even though sometimes we have gone a goal down, you still remember the words that she said before the game and it makes you want to go out and put on a performance for the second half as well. She’s been pulling them out of the bag. No matter what Sarina says you listen because she’s reached five major tournament finals so she definitely knows what she’s doing.”

Perhaps most importantly, Wiegman has instilled a culture where every member of the 23-player squad knows their role. Players like Maya Le Tissier and Anna Moorhouse did not play a minute of the tournament, yet their influence feels significant. That is because they were focal points in training – pushing their peers at all times.

During games, the ‘finishers’ (as Wiegman refers to them) were cheering on the team, jumping off the bench to celebrate goals with their teammates. This kind of community and team cohesiveness is arguably the Lionesses’ biggest asset and the main key to their success: every single member of the squad knew they were important.

This was especially important following the quarter-final against Sweden when it emerged that defender Jess Carter had been subjected to racist abuse on social media throughout the tournament. The team and staff were united in their response, echoing the need to support Carter – Lotte Wubben-Moy boycotted social media for a time, and FA CEO Mark Bullingham revealed that police had been contacted, and said: “We strongly condemn those responsible for this disgusting racism“.

Carter was subsequently left on the bench in the semi-final against Italy. Whilst Wiegman asserted that this was a tactical reason, it was also likely a protective measure. The defender was recalled to the starting line-up in the final, and had to overcome a crisis of confidence:

“I was super scared of playing the final for the first time in my life. When I woke up in the morning and saw my team and saw the support I had – and the belief I had from my team-mates, manager and family – I could come out and give my all. That’s all you can do.”

**Above:** Jess Carter wins her 50th cap. Photo: Lionesses on X.

Then there was the fact that Beth Mead and Ella Toone were facing their first tournaments since losing a parent. This brought the duo closer together, and made the togetherness in the team even more important. Mead shared: “Me and Beth have had so many conversations about it… she helped me massively with everything I’ve gone through.”

The clickers

The finishers made the difference throughout the tournament. No other team had as many substitutes score goals, and the impact of Chloe Kelly and Agyemang off the bench was electric. Although Wiegman was criticised extensively for leaving her substitutions until late, it is difficult to argue with the results: from losing positions in each knockout round, a Lionesses finisher contributed to the equaliser every time. Throughout calls for Kelly to start, Wiegman elected to keep her on the bench – likely because the sight of her warming up must have caused fear in the minds of opponents.

Agymang was dubbed an “agent of chaos” for her ability to have a major impact in a short space of time – and it is arguable that with more time, her impact may have been lessened – opponents never had the opportunity to get to grips with her because she was not on the pitch for long enough. Deservedly named Young Player of the Tournament, Agyemang – who was still playing with the U19s four months ago and was an emergency replacement for Russo in April – scored twice, and is now famous.

**Above:** Agyemang wins young player of the tournament. **Photo:** WEURO2025 on X.

Finishers spoke of their readiness to come on if needed but seemed happy to play a different role too. This speaks volumes of the initial squad selection process; the characters and personalities chosen to be part of the squad are truly team-first squad members, who put the team above individual accolades. Michelle Agyemang had to be pushed forward to celebrate a win that she played a huge role in, because she did not want to stand out. Her teammates wanted her to have a moment in the spotlight, however, pushing her towards the crowd of fans shouting her name.

This was exemplified by “positive clicking” – a special way of celebrating goals just for the squad’s finishers. Kelly explained the celebration: “We have a little group of us, a group chat, ‘the finishers’ as you call it, and the positive clicks we call it on the bench before the game. You probably saw we were all clicking, like ‘what are they doing?!’, but it was just a positive click. We said that if one of us comes on and scores, let’s do that as our celebration.”

Reggie the Cavapoo

Another important member of the squad does not have a squad number. He is Reggie the cavapoo, the dog belonging to the Lionesses’ contracted coffee partner, Cheals on Wheels. Keira Walsh shared:

“We have a coffee dog that helps, I think most of the girls spend their time with him. I don’t think he realises how much he’s helped us. When we won the game, he came into the meal room afterwards, and we were all so happy to see him. So I think he’s definitely been helping the most, it’s fair to say.”

**Above**: Reggie the Cavapoo. **Photo**: Lionesses on X.

Reggie forms the focal point for the squad’s “morning walking club” spearheaded by Maya Le Tissier, Anna Moorhouse, and Aggie Beever-Jones. He spends a lot of time at St. George’s Park, home of the England teams, whenever the Lionesses are on camp, and travelled to Switzerland as an important part of the entourage. Providing that outlet was seen as integral to the squad feeling their best – particularly as so many of the Lionesses would be missing their own pets. Esme Morgan has kitten Biscuit, and Beth Mead’s dog Myle is famous.

The FA also found a way to take Agyemang’s piano, which travelled with the kitman to Switzerland in a van. The 5-star Dolder Grand in Zurich was decked out to the nines with England paraphernalia, aiming to make the squad feel as at home as possible.

This exemplifies the staff’s approach to the Lionesses: that on the pitch is not the only place where difference is made, and a high performance environment requires looking after the whole individual rather than just focusing on football.

In a world where small margins make the difference in knockout football, it is arguable that the effort made off-pitch is what pushed the Lionesses that one extra step. They played 120 minutes three times – a record for the women’s Euros – and went through penalties twice. To emerge victorious after that effort shows the entire team’s belief in their own success, supported by the best possible environment.

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NPLW Vic R18: Royals arrive in top four

By Kieran Yap 29/7/25

Above: Essendon Royal score their fifth goal against Boroondara-Carey Eagles

Essendon Royals have jumped to third on the table with a 5-0 win over Boroondara-Carey Eagles at home. Five separate scorers contributed to the win, that saw the game decided within an hour.

The Royals have risen sharply in the second half of the season. Since the halfway point, they have only lost once and have not gone goalless in any game. One of the league’s most visible improvers underlined their Championship potential with this ruthless display at Cross Keys Reserve.

Boroondara came into this round looking to respond to a loss against Bulleen last weekend and solidify their finals position. But from the outset it looked like it was going to be a tough afternoon. Essendon were dominant from the opening whistle and the match was largely played in their attacking half, while the loss of Boroondara’s starting goalkeeper Mia Mossman early in the first half did them no favours.

Deven Jackson was a constant menace, she was able to get behind the Eagles backline and whip in crosses despite the home side not really playing in a counter-attacking style.

The Royals simply dominated midfield, with Grace Maher an expected standout, while her Western United teammate Alana Cerne ensured that the visitors had few good opportunities at the other end. The Royals probasbly should have taken the lead even earlier than they did, but a free header from a corner kick was directed right at Mossman.

It was a Maher set piece that helped create the opening goal in the 17^th minute. Rebekah Van Fort finished well in a crowded penalty area after Boroondara failed to clear an in swinging free kick.

Emma Langley scored the second goal almost by surprise. Her high, looping shot from the wing somehow found the back of the net by the near post. It was a shot out of nothing and caught substitute goalkeeper Emma Olsen completely off-guard.

It felt like a goal was arriving every few minutes. In reality it was every 10. Airi Fujiwara scored the third on the 39^th minute with a clever turn and shot across goal to finish off Olivia Wood’s dangerous cross.

Deven Jackson increased the lead to 4-0 before half time. She latched onto some hesitant defending to fire a low trajectory rocket at goal that left Olsen with no chance. The half volley was perfectly struck while running at full pace. There was no stopping it, and the only remaining upside was that there was a whole other half to Boroondara to find a way into this game.

Any hope was snuffed out by the 50^th minute. Emma Langley broke free on the right flank and her cross found Jackson on the opposite flank. The cutback found Woods who was presented with the easiest finish.

It was 5-0 in 50 minutes of football, and that was enough to secure another win by The Royals. They look like a team nobody will want to face in a final and with the type of form Jackson is in, few defences will have an answer for them.

They can score and in a variety of ways. Maher is one of the country’s best set piece specialists, Fujiwara has been lethally consistent for most of the season and Cerne has long been one of the NPLW’s best players.

The have contributors all over the pitch like Sasha Coorey and Emma Langley and impressive depth on the bench.

Boroondara need to respond next week. It will not be easy away to a dangerous Alamein FC, but they need to find some goals after going to consecutive matches without scoring.

Essendon Royals will look to reinforce their ladder position and possibly climb into second as they face bottom placed Bentleigh Greens in Round 19.

Around The Grounds

Box Hill have been the other big climbers in the second half of the season. Their ladder position does not reflect that as clearly as Essendon’s but consecutive wins against South Melbourne last week and now Heidelberg United show that they can beat any side on their day.

The league leaders were missing two of their most influential players. Caitlin Karic and Steph Galea were both injured for Heidelberg, but Box Hill still put on an impressive performance in a 2-0 win.

The opening goal was a work of art. A 10-pass move between defence and midfield leading up to Rhianna Pollicina’s brilliant assist for Carina Rossi to finish with one touch. It was a top class goal that shifted the usually dominant Heidelberg midfield out of position and caught the defence by surprise despite Box Hill’s patience.

The second goal was slightly scrappier. A high clearance, a hopefull cross from deep and a strike that was as much a block as it was a deflected effort. But the chasing effort by Katie Cox was rewarded with a vital for for Box Hill who were down to 10 players by that point in the game.

This felt like a danger game for Heidelberg, and they will likely bounce back quickly in the next round. For them, making sure all players are fit by finals is the priority. They still sit three games clear at the top of the table, and will be frustrated at missing an opportunity to help sew up the premiership early, but expect them to brush this result off.

Heidelberg’s nearest challengers are Bulleen Lions. Last season’s premiers finish this round nine points behind the Bergers after a win against Bentleigh Greens.

Danella Butrus was once against a standout, but the home side was buoyed by the return of Paige Zois to the lineup.

Butrus’s trickery and acceleration earned Bulleen a penalty in the firth minute, Tiffany Eliadis unburdened by goalkeeping duties this week, slotted the spot kick beyond Talya Murphy.

Bentleigh hit back from a set piece. Sidney Allen launched a long range free kick over the head of debut goalkeeper Alyssia Ierardo to level the scores.

A dummy and cross by Butrus helped Bulleen retake the lead. Ava Breidis finished the effort with typical composure and by the 32^nd minute we had seen three goals.

Another Bentleigh set piece brought them level again. Allen hit the post from close range but Reagan Bridges smashed the ball home to finish off the corner kick.

Bulleen re-took the lead in the second half with a very similar goal at the same end. Zois’s in swinging ball was half cleared and eventually lashed into the net by Sarah Cain.

The lead was extended by a second goal when Lia Privitelli scored after following up Hollie Massey’s shot. Butrus was once again the architect out wide, Bentleigh had lots of answers in this game, but none for the tricky playmaker.

The win was a crucial one for Bulleen. They still have a chance of catching Heidelberg at the summit, but more importantly, they need to keep ahead of the chasing pack beneath them

FV Academy were back in action on the road against Preston Lions. An Anika Dovaston goal opened the scoring early in the second half. The Academy captain tried her luck with a looping shot from distance that dipped at exactly the right moment to score.

The strike was speculative, but perfectly hit and a great option to take in the wintery conditions. FV Acamedy looked headed for the win, but Preston fought their way back and equalised in the 86^th minute through Grace Johnston’s right boot.

Mebae Tanaka’s cross from the left found Johnston in space on the opposite side of the box. Her shot was powerfully and confidently hit leaving Charlotte Hrehoresin with no chance to stop it.

Alamein FC climbed back into the top four after defeating Brunswick Juventus 2-0.

Anna Liacopoulos gave them the lead in the 34^th minute but the win was not assured until Maximillia’s Kostur’s 90^th minute sealer secured all three points at home. Her excellently taken sealer was the result of a swift counter attack deep in added time.

Brunswick Juventus had rolled the dice with a late corner kick which almost paid off but Alamein took advantage of the space in defence and after a cool chipped finish, finally it looked safe to celebrate.

Spring Hills FC provided one of the more surprising results of the round when they defeated South Melbourne 2-0 at home. Eri Narita was on the end of some good buildup play between Alex Sinclair and Maja Markovski to open the scoring in the 8^th minute and Erii Yamashita’s 40^th minute goal was enough to give them their sixth win of the season.

Spring Hills recent form has been exciting, but may have left their run too late for finals. In their favour is that they play two sides who will be fighting for that fourth spot and if they can pull off miracles against Alamein and Box Hill, anything is possible.

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Remontada in Rabat: How Nigeria outplayed Morocco to win WAFCON 2025

Nigeria 3-2 Morocco

By Emmanuel Faith (28/07/2025)

Above: Nigeria celebrate their win. Photo: Backpage Pix.

The WAFCON 2025 Final in Rabat was more than a showpiece, it was a tactical masterclass in adaptation and resilience. Nigeria’s Super Falcons came from two goals down to defeat Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses 3-2 in a contest that underlined the evolving quality and thrill of African women’s football.

Unlike Nigeria’s 2022 semi-final loss to Morocco, where ill-discipline and controversial refeering cost them, this time, the Falcons demonstrated adaptability under pressure. Here’s how the game unfolded tactically.

Starting Shapes and Early Dynamics:

Morocco lined up in a fluid 4-3-3 that morphed into a 2-3-5 in possession.

Full-backs Zineb Redouani and El Haj pushed high, providing width and stretching Nigeria’s midfield. The Atlas Lionesses created numerical superiority in central areas by using Ouzraoui as a dropping pivot, pulling Nigerian midfielders out of position.

Nigeria, on the other hand, started in a conservative 4-4-2 (4-2-3-1 on paper), with Ihezuo playing close to Esther , and Rasheedat Ajibade drifting into the left half-space when they transitioned. Their compactness was effective early in limiting central penetration, but Morocco’s positional play disrupted this block.

Morroco’s first-half Supremacy:

The opening 30 minutes belonged to Morocco. They exploited Nigeria’s reluctance to press high by building patiently through the thirds. Their captain, Ghizlane Chebbak operated as a free eight, constantly receiving between the lines, while Jraidi rotated wide to drag Nigerian center-backs leaving spaces for Ouzraoui and Mssoudy to run into.

The first goal illustrated Morocco’s approach. In the 13th minute, Chebbak received in the left half-space after a diagonal overload. Nigeria’s midfield failed to collapse quickly, and Chebbak’s curling strike punished the gap.

**Above:** Morocco celebrate. Photo: Safari Sports.

The second goal, in the 24th minute, was a product of structured width and verticality. Jraidi pinned Nigeria’s backline while Mssoudy attacked the blindside, finishing clinically after a perfectly weighted through ball. At 2-0, Morocco’s xG reflected their dominance (1.38 to Nigeria’s 0.12). The game looked settled, but the Super Falcons are called Super Falcons for a reason.

Nigeria’s tactical resurgence:

Coach Justin Madugu’s second-half adjustments flipped the script. Nigeria moved into an aggressive 4-2-3-1 in possession, with Okoronkwo drifting centrally and Ajibade staying high to pin Morocco’s full-backs.

This led to three key changes in football progression. To start with, Nigeria triggered presses off Morocco’s first line, forcing rushed long balls instead of controlled build-up, as Alozie stepped up higher, cutting supply to Chebbak.

Doubling down on this, Nigeria targeted the left half-space behind Benzina, where Okoronkwo repeatedly received progressive passes, holding on to the ball, dragging Morocco’s shape narrow.

Lastly, with Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide on, and the static Ihezuo off, the wingers made inside runs while full-backs (Alzoie and Plumptre) repeatedly overlapped, stretching Morocco and creating gaps between center-backs. Deborah Abiodun was also everywhere nullifying any potential counter attack from the overlaps.

The equalizer in the 71st minute summed up this tactical shift. Nigeria overloaded Morocco’s left, drew Benzina out, and used a third-man combination to release Ijamilusi, who finished smartly.

Turning Point: VAR, Momentum and Mentality

The 63rd-minute VAR penalty was the ignition point. It allowed Nigeria to reset psychologically and forced Morocco to defend deeper. From that moment, Nigeria dominated duels and second balls. The 79th-minute overturned penalty for Morocco was equally crucial. Instead of reclaiming control, especially, because they were in ascension, the Lionesses grew frantic, breaking their earlier composure. Nigeria, by contrast, sensed vulnerability and pushed for the winner.

The 88th-minute goal from Echegini was no accident. It came from a well-rehearsed set-piece routine designed to exploit Morocco’s zonal marking. Infact, it was a carbon copy of two of the goals scored against Zambia in the quarter-finals.

This was more than a comeback, it was a strategic battle that Nigeria won with intelligence and adaptability. The Super Falcons remain the continent’s benchmark, not just for talent but for in-game flexibility.

For Morocco, the defeat will sting, but their evolution since 2022 is clear. Their positional play, pressing triggers, and structured build-up mark them as a team capable of returning stronger. African women’s football is no longer about physicality alone. It’s about patterns and high-level tactical detail, and this final proved it.

**Above**: Esther Okoronkwo. **Photo**: Justina Aniefiok.

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NPLW WA 2025 Round 17 Wrap

by Ben Gilby and Ella McShane (27/7/25)

Above: Sophie Meaden, who scored two of Fremantle City’s goals against the Football West Academy this afternoon. Photo: Denyse RM Photography.

Fremantle City 5-1 Football West Academy

by Ben Gilby

Fremantle City have extended their impressive run of results to five wins in their last six matches with this eye catching success over the Football West Academy (FWA) in a match that came to an end after 86 minutes of play.

Freo backed up last week’s success over another top four side, Balcatta Etna, with this win against an FWA outfit back in action after their participation in the Emerging Matildas tournament in Sydney the week before last.

With 11 minutes played, Sakura Leong, one of two FWA starlets called up to the Junior Matildas squad this week, hit a powerful shot that was repelled by home keeper Megan Phillips. Freo won the turnover and Abbey Green broke through to play in Mikayla Lyons who headed the ball on before slotting past Daisy McGreadie Cole.

Just two minutes later, Freo doubled their lead as Leyna Wood fed Janice Kiama. The move went on with Sophie Meaden involved in a one-two with Green, which resulted in Meaden getting the ball back to score.

With seven remaining of regulation time before the break, the hosts won back-to-back corners on the left. The second of which came in high to the back post where Wood nodded down and into the goal.

There were just four minutes played in the second half when Green made it 4-0 as she was released along the left before cutting in to fire the ball into the right-hand corner.

Meaden got her brace with just under 20 minutes remaining when Wood stole possession from Coco Fonseca and fed Lyons, who in turn played a pass for Meaden to calmly place the ball in the net.

The visitors got a goal back with six minutes remaining, thanks to Ella Lange’s Olimpico from the left-hand side. Shortly afterwards, with thunder audible at the ground, the referee took the players from the pitch.

Teams: FREMANTLE CITY: Phillips, Poad, Leek, Spatafore, Osborne, Siah, Kiama, Meaden, Green, Wood, Lyons. Substitutes: Yeo, Trueman.

Scorers: Lyons 11′, Meaden 13′, 72′. Wood 38′, Green 49′.

FOOTBALL WEST ACADEMY: McGreadie Cole, Santos, Williams-Jones, Brady, Johnson, Lange, Mouithys, Dalton, Leong, Garnett, Wainwright. Substitutes: Sciascia-Walsh, Fonseca, Boudames, Butler, Andrews, Z.Dumont.

Scorer: Lange 84′.

Perth RedStar 4-1 Subiaco

by Ella McShane

**Above:** Two-goal Caitlin Doeglas of Perth RedStar. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Two goals from Caitlin Doeglas set Perth RedStar on the way to victory over Subiaco at RedStar Arena this afternoon.

The opening tempo of the match was set at an impressive pace, driven by intelligent passing and coordinated play from both sides.

Doeglas inevitably capitalised when a clean through ball from the halfway line found her positioned in prime shooting position just outside the box, and she simply does not miss from there.

As the match progressed, both teams adapted to one another, resulting in more controlled spacing and a slight regulation of tempo. Despite several promising attempts on goal from both sides, neither team was able to find the back of the net in the opening half.

However, RedStar came out firing after the break. Within mere seconds of the restart, Doeglas doubled her tally when she converted a superb cross from Lauren Continibali on the left wing with a short yet powerful overhead shot.

The hosts continued to display dominance, as club legend Carla Bennett added a third with a stunning volley, further solidifying RedStar’s lead.

On paper, goal prospects looked minimal for Subiaco. However, when the away side did regain possession, it was maintained and generated promising opportunities.

It was Jaalah Rudd who finally broke through when she managed to shake off the close attentions of the RedStar defence to score a superb volley from inside the box.

The final goal of the game, with 12 minutes remaining, came courtesy of a superb long-range effort from Renee Leota. The New Zealand international’s worldie surpassed both Subiaco’s defence and goalkeeper. It made for a fitting end to the contest at RedStar Arena.

Teams: PERTH REDSTAR: Dal Busco, Monteiro, Dunn, Teixeira, Doan, Bennett, Carroll, Bellanca, Doeglas, Leota, Continibali. Substitutes: Woolley, Coleman, Lornie, Mogridge, Finnegan, O’Donohoe, Devitt.

Scorers: Doeglas 20′, 46. Bennett 54′, Leota 78′.

SUBIACO: Caceras, Rudd, Hope, Olsthoorn, Papalia, Campos, McCulloch, Hughes, Tabain, Zampogna, Unannounced. Substitutes: Burdett, Harvey, Charlotte Taylor, Chloe Taylor, Edwards, Tyne.

Scorer: Rudd 72′.

Perth SC 2-1 UWA-Nedlands

by Ben Gilby

**Above:** Maja Archibald, seen here shooting during last weekend’s win over Murdoch University Melville, put Perth SC ahead today. **Photo:** Rob Lizzi.

Perth overcame tough conditions and a battling UWA-Nedlands side who had goalkeeper Francesca Carr in superb form, to claim victory at Dorrien Gardens this afternoon.

The game kicked off in very wet conditions, with standing water in areas of the pitch on the grandstand side of the field. Perth looked to maximise possession, but for the first 20 minutes, neither goalkeeper was called into action with any regularity.

The first real chance came with 23 minutes played when visiting goalkeeper Carr stood up well to deny a one-on-one.

With nine minutes remaining on the half, Perth’s industrious approach was rewarded when Maja Archibald was played in from the left and the young midfielder let fly with a low shot from around 20 yards that beat Carr.

However, the lead would only last two minutes. Dayle Schroeder’s touch from Epril Nossent’s pass back was heavier than she would have liked, and it allowed Reid to benefit and turn the ball home.

Perth hit back powerfully and ended the half on the ascendency once more. Archibald found the net again with two minutes of regulation time remaining, but she was adjudged to have been in an offside position when receiving Nossent’s cross from the right.

The Azzurri dominated the second half, but a combination of battling defence and superb goalkeeping served to make it hard for the hosts to make it count on the scoreboard.

It took until the 67th minute for the Azzurri to break through again. Substitute Ella Lincoln was brought down by Alyssa Kinkaid on the left flank. Up stepped Georgia Cassidy to curl a superb free kick straight into the far corner of the net.

At this stage of the season, it’s all about getting the three points, and this latest haul extends the Azzurri’s winning run to five on the bounce and increases their lead at the top of the ladder to seven points ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Subiaco.

Teams: PERTH SC: Schroeder, Nossent, McCartney, Boehm, McAllister, Collins, Archibald, Mathers, Flannery, Tana, Marshall. Substitutes: Ottobrino, Lincoln, Ingrey, Cassidy, Warburton, Longmore.

Scorers: Archibald 36’, Cassidy 67′.

UWA-NEDLANDS: Carr, Gibson, Hartley, Dadswell, Preiato, Rodrigo, Dinsdale, Riches, Franklin, Reid, Kinkaid. Substitutes: Muller, C.Gaspar, E.Gaspar, Dewar, Short, Klomp, Visic.

Scorer: Reid 38’.

Balcatta Etna’s game with Murdoch University Melville was postponed.

Ladder

Perth SC P 16 Pts 41 GD +40

Perth RedStar P 16 Pts 34 GD + 39

Football West Academy P 16 Pts 33 GD +20

Balcatta Etna P 15 Pts 31 GD +25

Fremantle City P 17 Pts 27 GD +20

Subiaco P 17 Pts 16 GD -17

UWA-Nedlands P 17 Pts 7 GD -62

Murdoch University Melville P 16 Pts 1 GD -66

Fixtures

SUNDAY: Balcatta Etna v UWA-Nedlands, Fremantle City v Perth RedStar, Murdoch University Melville v Football West Academy, Subiaco v Perth SC.

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Euros Final Preview: How tactical battle could favour England

By Gethin Thurlow (26/07/25).

Above: Leah Williamson clears the ball as England hold on to a 1-0 victory over Spain the Nations League Photo: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Here we are. 1 year and 11 months later and we have a 2023 World Cup final rematch on our hands. It’s the all-conquering Spanish, led by the greatest midfield in women’s football history versus England, having been transformed by Sarina Wiegman and finding themselves in a third consecutive major tournament final, despite inconsistent performance throughout the last 3 years. In their current iterations, these two teams are pretty familiar and evenly matched with each other, with the score never being settled by more than one goal.

For England, facing Spain is more of a puzzle than anyone else. Usually, even against other top sides England can guarantee that they will have the bulk of possession. However facing the maestro midfield three of Aitana, Alexia and Patri is a different task to anything else in the world.

It doesn’t help that Spain’s ‘wingers’ Claudia Pina and Mariona Caldentey play more like wide-midfielders, rather than traditional wingers, having the same technical skills which allow them to control the ball so easily and move quite freely around as a five.

Esther Gonzalez taking up more of a traditional striker role has added another dimension to the attack, offering an occasional option to score via a cross or long ball into her rather than the Spaniards usual electric penalty box tika-taka.

Having to adjust and plan around not having possession, is difficult for England; but I would argue that this type of game suits England quite well. It is no secret that England struggle when facing teams with an effective low block and a physical/fast attack, and if low ranking teams ever take points off England this is generally how they do it.

This is due a few reasons. Mainly that England’s defence can be exposed when holding such a high line, allowing faster attackers to get into the space behind – particularly the full backs – who are encouraged to join England’s attacks as secondary wingers. Also, their insistence on sticking to a slow, controlled build-up which moves through the field in phases, can allow defences to stay compact and cut off any creative passing lanes in the final third.

Of course this is not the only way the Lionesses attack, they are world class players who adapt to situations and so often come up with their own magic. Direct attacks are something that England have the ability to employ when required. The Netherlands game is a prime example of this, with the first and fourth goals coming from long passes – by Hannah Hampton and Jess Carter respectively. Alex Greenwood and Leah Williamson are also brilliant passers of the ball and therefore having possession is not a necessity for England to attack and score goals.

**Above:** *England reflect on a hard fought semi final win over Ital*y **Photo:** @Lionesses on X

This direct method is also a better for Alessia Russo, who is not quite a traditional striker. Her real strengths are her work-rate and hold up ability. Launch a ball out in front of her and she’ll do everything possible to try and retrieve. She is also wonderful at connecting the play with her teammates – almost with the vision of a defensive midfielder like Keira Walsh. This can be seen in her four assists so far at the Euro’s, being able to find other players around her in the box, something that not many strikers are known for.

At the same time, she is not a classical goal-getting striker, which can lead to issues when playing a more possession-based buildup style. She rarely occupies the space in front of goal like strikers such as Bunny Shaw or Sam Kerr would, ready to convert any half-chance following a nice passing move. This is something which Ellen White did so well for this team over the years, but with a different type of player in Russo, that England have to adapt to.

For Spain, facing this England team is a challenge too. Their defence itself mirrors England’s quite a lot, being vulnerable to counter attacks and balls over the top. However, they are not a team to compromise on tactics. The pure talent in the squad dictates that they should ‘play football properly’ with beautiful interchanges, moving through the opposition as if they are not there.

**Above:** *Spain celebrate a goal in the Nations League* **Photo:** *@sefutbolfem on X*

So, while England may actually be hoping for a more transitional game, I think Spain will still seek to impose themselves onto England. They have the ability in the team to blow away anyone if they play well enough on any given day; and that is a great luxury to have.

One result of Spain having what is essentially five midfielders within the front 6 is an exceptionally-above-average ability to win the ball back from high pressing. Add into the mix some dodgy passing between Hampton, Williamson, Greenwood and Carter this tournament and that is a real chance for Spain to nab a goal right there and then, as Sweden did in the quarter final. Chelsea fans will need no reminder what Aitana Bonmati can do when blitzing through your defence.

**Above:** *Michelle Agyemang celebrates after equalising late on for England against Sweden* **Photo:** *@arsenalWFC on X*

Another interesting factor in this one, is the psychology of opposing teams when they see Michelle Agyemang ready to come on. While her incredible ability to come up with clutch moments is one thing, I’m wondering about the opponent’s thoughts when she comes on and how this could actually impact the game. Does her influence become a self-fulfilling prophecy whereby the fact she comes on scares the opponent, causing them to be tense and more likely to make mistakes – which actively leads to an Agyemang goal?

It is impossible to imagine Spain being 2-0 up after 75 minutes, seeing Agyemang come on the pitch and not think about what she has done in the last two games. For Spain the way to counter this is to be so far ahead even Agyemang’s nation-savouring cannot deny them.

While ultimately I feel the tactical battle favours England, I still wouldn’t call them favourites. Spain have shown time and time again that they have the quality to overcome anything – low blocks, high presses, all-out attack, whatever you throw at them. Neither team has had an easy ride to the final, and as so often been proven – what happens during a final just a reflection of how well each team turns out on the day. Whatever the tactics and whatever the outcome, it is sure to be a great final, to end what has been a brilliant Euros.

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Junior Matildas extended squad for ASEAN U16s announced

25/7/25

Above: Western Australia’s young star Theodora Mouithys is part of the Junior Matildas squad. Photo: U18sNPL.

Junior Matildas Head Coach Michael Cooper has confirmed a 33-player extended squad ahead of the ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships to be held in Indonesia from 18-29th August.

The squad, which will be cut to 23 prior to the competition, were drawn in Group C earlier this week alongside Singapore and Thailand, with Group A featuring the host nation Indonesia, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste, and Group B made up of Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

The ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships will be the first time this group of Junior Matildas represent Australia, as well as their first international competition.

“It is exciting for us to begin to lay the foundations for the next generation of Junior Matildas,” Cooper said.

“Over the last few months, the team and I have been watching and assessing emerging talent from across a range of Australia’s elite youth development pathways, and the extended squad is a reflection of this.

“We’ve worked closely with Member Federations and clubs to ensure we’re casting the net wide and giving players the opportunity to show what they can bring to the national team setup. This has included talent identification at the Emerging Matildas Championships last week.

**Above:** Western Australia’s Sakura Leong, called up to the Junior Matildas squad, in possession. **Photo:** U18sNPL

“With that said, the door is open for individuals not named in this extended squad to be part of the future of the Junior Matildas training camps and tournaments.

“What is key to me is that we have players and staff that buy into our culture where development, performance, and growth is just as important off the pitch as on.

“We are keen to create a challenging and supportive environment within the Junior Matildas that inspires young players to dream big and to take ownership of their journey. It is important that every member of the team buys into this as well.

“Our role is to introduce the Junior Matildas to international competition, guide them through their first experience of representing Australia, while also preparing the team for the Qualifiers later this year.

“The ASEAN U16 Girls’ Championships 2025 is the first crucial step in preparing for the upcoming AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026, and it will help us identify the strengths of the group and how to best support them as we enter other international competitions.”

Returning after a five-year hiatus, the 2025 AFF U16 Women’s Championship features nine participating teams, maintaining the number from previous editions held in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

A notable change this year is the group format: instead of two groups, the teams are now divided into three groups of three, playing in a single round-robin format. The top team from each group and the best-performing second-placed team will advance to the semi-finals.

Junior Matildas extended squad list:

NAME		POSITION	CLUB/MEMBER FEDERATION
Tehya	ASPLAND	Defender	Canberra Olympic FC / Capital Football
Tyra	BAGIANTE	Forward	Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW
Charlotte	BRADSHAW	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Claire	CORBETT	Midfielder	Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW
Montana	CORRIE	Forward	Football Queensland QAS / Football QLD
Annabelle	CROLL	Goalkeeper	Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Mary	DAL BROI	Midfielder	Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Matilda	DIAS WADEWITZ	Forward	Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW
Lana	ELKORDI	Defender	Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW
Sarena	ELBOROGI	Forward	Brisbane City FC/Football QLD
Mikaela	GAVRANIC	Forward	NSW Spirit FC / Football NSW
Dali	GORR BURCHMORE	Goalkeeper	South Melbourne FC / Football VIC
Leyla	HUSSEIN	Forward	Melbourne Victory / Football VIC
Kaya	JUGOVIC	Midfielder	Football Victoria Academy / Football VIC
Sakura	LEONG	Defender	Football West Hyundai NTC / Football West
Liana	LUONG	Defender	Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW
Chelsea	MCCREDIE	Goalkeeper	Manly United FC / Football NSW
Amelie	MILLAR	Goalkeeper	Launceston City FC / Football TAS
Theodora	MOUITHYS MICKALAD	Forward	Football West Hyundai NTC / Football West
Hayley	MUIR	Forward	Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW
Maeve	NICHOLAS	Defender	Football SA NTC / Football SA
Zoe	PANAGOPOULOS	Midfielder	APIA Leichhardt FC / Football NSW
Willa	PEARSON	Defender	Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders / Football NSW
Harper	PELL	Defender	NSW Spirit FC / Football NSW
Abbie	PUCKETT	Midfielder	Macarthur Rams FC / Football NSW
Izabella	RAKO	Midfielder	South Melbourne FC/ Football VIC
Arabella	RYAN	Defender	Football Queensland QAS / Football QLD
Keira	SARRIS	Midfielder	Football Victoria Academy / Football VIC
Aurelia	STEPANAS	Goalkeeper	Football Queensland QAS / Football QLD
Aeryn	TARRANT	Defender	Heidelberg United FC/Football VIC
Jada	TAYLOR	Forward	Northern Tigers FC / Football NSW
Emmy	TRAYNOR	Defender	Football Victoria Academy / Football VIC
Tessa	YOUNG	Defender	Western Sydney Wanderers / Football NSW

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Keep calm and carry on for now – The Lionesses at the Euros

by Ben Gilby (23/7/25)

Above: Sarina Wiegman leads the Lionesses in the huddle after last night’s win over Italy. Photo: Lionesses on X.

An equalising goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time. A winning goal seconds before the clock turned red at the end of extra time. Could anything better sum up England’s Euro 2025?

It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a tournament for the Lionesses, who have found a way when they have looked vulnerable to overcome the odds and make it to a third consecutive major final.

England rode the wave of almost universal praise three years ago, so whilst it’s only right that they have to accept criticism when performances don’t reach those heights, the criticism over the last month has stepped way over the line of what is acceptable.

In this long-read article, I attempt to address the major areas of contention that have been raised against the Lionesses during the tournament, produce a balanced argument of why things have turned out this way, and consider what the immediate and longer-term future of the Lionesses needs to look like.

England against the world’s best

**Above:** England celebrate a goal in their superb win over the Netherlands in the group stages. **Photo:** Lionesses on X.

It’s felt like the Lionesses have not quite hit the heights of previous years since they were crowned European Champions on that baking hot Sunday in July 2022. It has also felt, at times, like they have become wedded to the same old players over that period as well, with a lack of exposure for the hugely talented next generation of English female players. Neither feeling is quite right.

A look at the stats reveals something. Since winning the Euros, England have played nations currently ranked in FIFA’s Top 20 on 33 occasions. Eighteen of those matches have been won, and nine lost. None of those losses were by more than one goal. Matches that went to penalty shoot-outs are classed as draws.

The Lionesses’ international program has got a lot tougher since the Euros, with the introduction of the Nations League, meaning that UEFA members play the majority of their matches against countries with similar rankings to themselves to increase the competitive nature of international games – which previously were becoming marred by huge mismatches due to varying ability of national bodies to sufficiently fund their female football programmes. Memories of those 20-0 and 10-0 wins over Latvia and Luxembourg pinpoint the reasons for the change.

With England now playing the world’s best on an almost constant basis, it means that matches are that much harder; there is the consequence that more games will be lost, and players will find it harder to consistently shine at the top of their form. Throw in the increasingly tough UEFA Champions League at club level, and you then begin to see the looming danger.

With both England’s national side and clubs facing tougher opponents more frequently, the demands on the same small cohort of players to play grow ever stronger.

There are far fewer friendlies, or qualifiers against lower-ranked nations, in which the Lionesses can give the next generation their first caps. If the experiment goes wrong, it could go badly wrong if you’re playing the likes of Sweden and Spain regularly. This is the balance to the argument that Wiegman relies on the same group of players and is reluctant to break outside of them.

Wiegman’s ‘club head coach’ style with the Lionesses

**Above:** Maya Le Tissier in training. **Photo:** Lionesses on X.

In theory, an international head coach has advantages over any of their colleagues in club football. They are free to pick all of the most in-form players eligible for their national side. No restrictions of transfer fees or transfer windows; they can literally select the best of the best.

Yet Sarina Wiegman has never really subscribed to this method. The social media loud-hailers regularly, and pro-journalists occasionally, lament her sticking with tried and tested players regardless of their club form. It’s fair to say that, defensively, several of the Lionesses’ regulars are not regularly hitting the heights that they have previously.

As England has struggled with being attacked by pace over the last 18 months or so, there have been minimal changes to the backline. Calls for the in-form club duo Maya Le Tissier (memorably referred to last week by The Guardian‘s fantastic Jonathan Liew as being reduced to a mere “training mannequin” by Wiegman in Switzerland) and Esme Morgan to break through to be regular starters remain loud and long – but the reality is, for the short term the usual selection will hold their places.

Wiegman values loyalty; she recognises what these players have offered down the years. They have been there, done it, and have experience of being part of the biggest games that the Lionesses have played in over the past four years. Tried and tested is what you stick with.

There’s also one major example that Wiegman can point to in order to answer critics when they state she doesn’t give the next generation.

Michelle Agyemang has arguably been the most impactful attacker that the Lionesses have had this tournament. Her late appearance against France in the opening spurred a major uptick in England’s performance. Then came her influence from the bench against both Sweden and Italy.

**Above:** Impact – Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly. **Photo:** Sky Sports.

It is on the likes of Le Tissier, Morgan and Agyemang that the Lionesses’ 2027 World Cup squad will rely on, and there’s plenty to be excited about on that front.

Bronze will be almost 36 by the time of the next World Cup, and Millie Bright 33. The Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, and on occasions against France and Sweden this summer, have seen vulnerabilities arise in Bronze’s defending in ways that weren’t previously there. Yet right now, she is the right person for the job. She still has the vision and thrust offensively, on top of the game management know-how and drive to push England towards Sunday’s final.

For the time being, there is a place for the next generation as squad members, gaining experience from those around them who have been there and done it, as well as being part of the media scrum and vibe of major tournament football.

The consequence of how this can help player development can be seen at this tournament with Hannah Hampton. Part of the squad at both Euro 2022 and the World Cup a year later, Hampton is now revelling in her major tournament debut.

Yet despite her phenomenal displays in Switzerland, the keeper continues to receive criticism from the social media trolls, effectively just because she isn’t Mary Earps.

In fairness, I have to admit a touch of bias in Hampton’s direction. On this site in March 2022, I stated that I’d just watched Hampton make the greatest display I’d ever seen from a goalkeeper in person – her incredible display for Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow against Chelsea. From that moment onwards, it was obvious she would be a world-class match-winner and match saver for the Lionesses.

**Above:** Alessia Russo lets fly for England last night. **Photo:** Lionesses on X.

Then we turn to Alessia Russo. A player whom more keyboard warriors claim isn’t worthy of her spot in the side, as she doesn’t score anywhere near enough goals. That’s too simplistic and can be batted away by watching the attacker play in person rather than relying on what you see on TV.

Watching Russo on a number of occasions at The Emirates, I’ve seen exactly what she has to offer – and there are few who can match her. An unrivalled ability to knit the attack together, link the midfield with those around her, and leave the opposition for dead. Next time you are at a match Russo’s playing in, don’t follow the ball, follow her – watch the movement and the link-ups. Then you’ll see exactly why she’s so vital to club and country.

To address the other areas of criticism that have been rife – Wiegman’s use of substitutes during the tournament, waiting too long, and being far from proactive. Albeit something that wasn’t the case last night.

Yet, her actions are nothing new. It seems to have been forgotten by many that it was exactly the same in Euro 2022.

En route to the Lionesses’ biggest triumph yet, not only could you predict when the substitutions would be made (generally 57-63 minutes, with, in some games, another around the 80-minute mark) but who would be brought on when. Russo, Kelly, and Ella Toone, being the regular substitutes brought on, joined by Alex Greenwood and Jill Scott in some of the matches.

**Above:** Ella Toone celebrates during the Euro 2022 Final. She was a regular substitute during the tournament. **Photo:** Lionesses.

Wiegman is doing what she has habitually done with England – it’s part of who she is as a coach. It does work. You don’t coach national sides to five major finals between 2017 and 2025 by luck.

The Lionesses boss follows the path laid by rugby union coach Eddie Jones, who dismissed journalists’ questions about his use of substitutes, instead pointing out he selected a squad that was divided between ‘starters’ and ‘finishers’ – both of whom were equally vital to the success of his teams. One only looks to the impact that Chloe Kelly and Agyemang have had on the England performances against France, Sweden, and now Italy to see how important these ‘finishers’ are.

Yes, at times it has looked like the Lionesses boss has left it late during the tournament – but here we are with England in their third successive major final. Crucially, the players have bought into the process – they speak of the team environment, the fact everyone is part of the family pulling in the same direction for more silverware.

As Ella Toone, who has spent more than her fair share of time on the bench for England, put it after the game against the Netherlands, the Lionesses’ experience is “togetherness, hard work, resilience, and fun.”

Where now, both for the Final and the longer term?

**Above:** For England to keep celebrating in the long term, the next generation needs to be given chances. **Photo:** Clare Wood for *Impetus*.

All of the above is not to say that everything is wonderful in relation to the Lionesses. They need to move on from this tournament with learning points. Without that would be detrimental to the longer-term prospects for the England national side.

Let’s first consider last night’s win over Italy.

England’s first-half showing was below par. Yes, they had a long, drawn-out win over Sweden with 24 hours less recovery than Italy. But that doesn’t excuse the slow pace of attacks in the opening 45 minutes. Italy lined up with five at the back and a line of three in front of that for added protection.

There was a need to use pacy runners and rapid ball movement to play through or above. The lack of urgency played into Italian hands. The fact that Wiegman cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, constantly demanding more urgency from her side, suggests this was not a game plan.

Then came Italy’s goal, which again showed England’s regular Achilles heel – a struggle to deal with pace along the flank and defend against zippy balls into the box.

After that, the response was excellent. The Lionesses’ second-half performance saw them immediately dial up the pace and quick passing movement. It had the Italians on the back foot for most of the remainder of the encounter.

The ‘finishers’ more than did their job. Beth Mead added vim and vigour out wide. Kelly was outstanding, showing a quality of footwork in close combat that had been lacking earlier in the game. Then there was Agyemang, who turned everything on its head. Literally.

Whoever England face in the final, they have to bring the energy and pace from the start. Both Spain and Germany are simply too good for another lethargic opening 45 from the Lionesses. Whilst I believe Agyemang would be a perfect impact sub once more, there is a compelling case for Kelly to start.

The pace, drive, and sheer ability that she has to show that footwork in confined spaces will be absolutely key against either potential opponent. Kelly has that in spades.

**Above:** Keeping calm and doing what she does best – Chloe Kelly (18) celebrates her winning goal last night. **Photo:** Lionesses on X.

The Lionesses will have to move the ball quickly and dominate the flanks, particularly if it’s Spain they face on Sunday, and the Arsenal star has both the ability and the confidence after being an integral part of the Gunners’ side that dismantled Barcelona in the Champions League Final, to produce the necessary standard.

In terms of the longer term, there is no doubt that the Lionesses have to give the next generation more opportunities, and their immediate post-Euros schedule provides a real opportunity for this.

The next Nations League tournament that serves as qualifying for the World Cup does not start until February, so England have two international windows – potentially four friendlies to try things out defensively, mix up the midfield selection, and look at what Agyemang can offer from the start of a game.

England’s final opponents – either Germany or Spain are the only two European nations ranked higher than them in the FIFA ranking list. Both have incorporated a raft of younger players over the past two years. Players who have all earned more minutes on the field in total than the England cohort of players aged 23 or under during the same timescale.

That’s not because the talent isn’t there in English football – it is – it’s scarily good and hugely exciting.

Yes, England may have been hampered by the Nations League and the risk it entails for giving new players a chance, but Germany and Spain have faced the same potential pitfalls. That didn’t stop Spain from winning the World Cup and Germany claiming Olympic bronze.

The achievements of Sarina Wiegman and her Lionesses must be rightfully celebrated – not just for what they have done on the field, but for what it has done off it and the status of watchable role models for the young people of England.

But the future is bright, and these amazing young talents are ready to take flight in the series of friendlies this Autumn. The immediate games post-Euros are the right time to let them have a chance, whilst the current golden generation can still guide them in their early days in international football.

Legacy is an amazing thing, and the young Lionesses who are part of this Euros squad, or didn’t quite make it, can be part of an even brighter future for English women’s football.

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NPLW Vic R17: Bulleen hold on despite having no goalkeeper

By Kieran Yap 23/7/25

Above: Tiffany Eliadis puts on the goalkeeping gloves for Bulleen.

Heidelberg United continued their march toward the title, Sienna Techera won the game for Box Hill, and Preston secured all three points against Bentleigh Greens. At The Veneto Club, Bulleen defeated Boroondara-Carey Eagles in a must win game that drew on organisation and new levels of squad depth as an outfielder donned the gloves.

Lets talk about valuable players. The statistics for players like Sofia Sakalis and Sawa Matsuda speak for themselves, and at Bulleen Sarah Cain is having a career best season in the middle of the park. Goalkeepers can define games as Mia Bailey and Charlotte Hrehoresin have shown and playmakers like Grace Maher make an instant impact upon joining a club.

But in terms of actual value to a team and what they can do to help their side win, Tiffany Eliadis is unique. She is a box to box midfielder who can score goals, but has also won an A-League Women Championship playing mostly as a centre back.

She has quick feet but is known for her pace. She can define games starting in defence or attack and can change them with a switch of position. In Bulleen’s must-win game, she stepped in the shoes and gloves of Erin Hudson to help her team defend a slender lead against another top four side.

Bulleen started brightly, Rosie Rodger found space where there seemed none to turn in a near post corner with a scrambled but accurate finish. They were ahead in the 12^th minute and looked to be in control early.

Their best plans were thrown into disarray when Eliadis raced back and collided with Goalkeeper Erin Hudson. The injury looked severe and Hudson barely moved before being stretchered off. It was less than one minute after taking the lead, and without a reserve on the bench, Bulleen had to face almost 80 minutes of football without a specialist goalkeeper.

With no reserve keeper on the bench, Eliadis suited up in orange and stepped into goal. Bulleen were faced with two options, park the bus and try and stop a dangerous side from shooting at all, or play their game and try and control the match.

They chose the latter, and it was the wiser option, although they opted for safety first-football when under pressure from Borooondara’s attack.

It was a smart move. Sitting deep in numbers would invite Boroondara to shoot from distance and force Eliadis into saves from powerful efforts. When faced with players like the genuinely two-footed Hayley Geurts it is best to avoid that.

What transpired was a game best described as patient by both sides. Bulleen maintained possession when possible and used the twin threats of Dani Butrus and Alana Cortellino to keep Boroondara on the back foot. Butrus’s ability to cut in and shoot from either foot kept Melissa Barbieri on her toes.

Boroondara tried to play their usually style, and looked dangerous when their attackers like Candela Ferreyra-Bas or Priya Savarirayan got into one-on-one positions it looked like an equaliser was imminent.

However Eliadis showed excellent positioning and strong hands for a player unfamiliar with playing in goal.

As the game went on, Boroondara’s best hope was likely one of Geurt’s deadly free kicks, but Bulleen were careful to avoid fouls in dangerous areas. The Lions probably should have doubled the lead but Yuka Sato shot straight at Barbieri after clever interplay had set her up directly in front.

The scoreline stayed at 1-0 and Bulleen had won a vital six-pointer for the second time in three rounds. They stay in second position on the ladder, 12 points behind Heidelberg, but three clear of Boroondara.

Importantly, they produced their best defensive game of the season in a match where they had to face a drastic reshuffle of players and mindset.

Despite the win, thoughts in the immediate aftermath turn to Hudson and her recovery, we hope it is a speedy one.

Around the Grounds

At Olympic Village, Heidelberg United increase their lead at the top with a 2-0 win against an impressive Brunswick Juventus. Sarah O’Donoghue’s stylish individual effort gave them a first half lead, and Sawa Matsuda’s now expected goal secured the points late in the match.

Emily Roach scored the only goal as Preston Lions defeated Bentleigh Greens. Her shot on the turn caught the goalkeeper off-guard and slipped through her hands in the 25^th minute.

Essendon Royals and Alamain FC played out a close game, but the visiting Royals left with the win in one of the round’s more entertaining matches. Goals to Airi Fujiwara and Emma Langley won the game for Essendon despite Maximillia’s Kostur’s first half equaliser after winning the ball in a forward press.

The Royals win propels them from finals hopeful to genuine contender. They now sit in fourth just a game behind Bulleen and equal with Boroondara on 29 points.

That jump up the standings was helped by results over at Lakeside Stadium. Box Hill were led by standout performances by Sofia Sakalis and Rhianna Pollicina, but it was Sienna Techera who scored the winning goal against South Melbourne.

Overall, it was a low scoring round. Only Heidelberg United and Essendon Royals scored more than one goal. Next week sees two big clashes with Essendon facing Boroondara Eagles and Heidelberg United aiming to continue their strong form in a visit to play the dangerous Box Hill.

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Esme Morgan: the Lionesses’ game-changing defender

By Catherine MacKenzie and Alyce Collett (22/07/2025)

Above: Esme Morgan celebrates with Hannah Hampton and Khiara Keating. Photo: Reuters.

When people talk about game-changers in football, they are normally referring to players who create and score goals. In England’s last match against Sweden, the term was reserved for Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang, a winger and striker responsible for creating and scoring the two goals that brought the game level. Little has been spoken about the impact of another ‘finisher’ (as head coach Sarina Wiegman refers to substitutes): the versatile defender Esme Morgan. In this piece, Impetus digs into Morgan’s history, providing insights on her contribution to this England team.

Morgan has had to wait for consistent minutes with England. Making her debut under Sarina Wiegman in 2022, she has been a permanent member of the squad since – but only made her major tournament debut against Sweden at the Euros in 2025. She was an unused substitute for the 2023 World Cup, her minutes primarily coming in the Nations League and friendly games.

Her impact was first noticed in October 2023, when England faced the Netherlands at Wembley in the Nations League. The Dutch were 2-0 up at half-time with England suffering from a drop in form following the World Cup. As per the trend in Wiegman’s tenure, her finishers proved the difference: Morgan was introduced for Carter on the hour mark, having two shots blocked and making a difference with her ability to pass through the lines, bypassing a stacked Dutch midfield. England went on to win the game 3-2.

Jumping forward to April 2025, there is a similar story: in a Nations League match against Belgium, Millie Bright and Niamh Charles struggled to cope with the speed of Tessa Wullaert. With England down 3-0 within 30 minutes (the deficit reduced to 3-1 at half-time), the match highlighted a key area of concern for the Lionesses: the lack of speed in the back line, particularly down the left.

Bright and Charles were both withdrawn at half-time. Morgan and Carter were introduced, and stabilised the team defensively; both have more pace, and provided more composure off the ball. Morgan made two tackes, completed 89% of her passes, and won four of her six duels.

Following the match, Morgan spoke to Impetus and other media about the instructions she had received: “We needed to be a little bit tighter on the transition, really get pressure on the ball and counter their press.”

The most recent instance of Morgan acting as a gamechanger came months later, in the 2025 Euros quarter-final against Sweden. England’s slow pace on the left side was again exploited, and Sweden had a 2-0 lead at half-time. Wiegman rarely makes changes at the interval, choosing instead to show trust in her players by giving them the chance to improve. Morgan was introduced at the 70-minute mark, alongside fellow game-changers Agyemang and Beth Mead.

Carter was the defender to make way, and the back line shifted to a back three, with Morgan joining Alex Greenwood and Williamson, giving Lucy Bronze more freedom to get forward. England scored within 10 minutes of the changes, equalising three minutes later. Whilst the goals scored the headlines, Morgan’s influence was also noticed. She made two clearances, blocked two shots, had 29 touches and a 92% pass accuracy – significantly higher than the rest of the back line (Williamson was second-highest with 79%).

England went on to overturn that scoreline and win the game on penalties, progressing to the semi-final.

Above: Morgan celebrates against Sweden. Photo: Reuters Connect.

Washington Spirit and the NWSL

Morgan’s journey has taken her from the Manchester City youth system to Washington DC, where she currently plays for the reigning Challenge Cup winners, Washington Spirit. Last year, Spirit’s head coach was serial-winner Jonatan Giráldez, formerly of Spanish giants Barcelona. Under his guidance and with twelve months playing in the transitional, fast-paced NWSL, many parts of Morgan’s game have seen improvements. She is quite fast – a rarity in this England squad – and has a strong ability to get a pass through the opponent’s lines, in a similar vein to Leah Williamson.

Morgan made the move across the pond in the summer of 2024, starting six games of the 2024 regular season and all three playoff games. The NWSL is a different animal compared to many European leagues; running from March until November, it includes a league phase followed by championship playoffs. This means players approach summer tournaments in a different state: they are mid-season rather than in-between. Whilst the benefits and drawbacks of this are subjective, Morgan sees the calendar as a positive one, telling The Guardian:

“The calendar running from March to November was something that I looked at as a real positive of coming to this league, in terms of setting you up for being able to sort of peak for international tournaments.”

The NWSL is also different techically. NWSL games often feature rapid transitions—teams go from defense to attack very quickly, using less build-up play and prioritising getting the ball high up the pitch rather than building possession. This can make the game feel more physically demanding because it is more end-to-end and arguably requires a higher level of fitness. Statistically, teams in the NWSL take significantly more shots, while in the WSL, there are more passes, dribbles, and interestingly, goals. Morgan has spoken about the differences:

“It’s really fast-flowing and you don’t get much time on the ball. That’s helped me become sharper in possession, and I’ve developed a lot defensively too. The forwards in this league are so quick and strong – every game is a battle.

“It’s a bit faster and more direct than England, which is a little slower and more tactical. But it’s been a great challenge to adapt and grow.”

This more transitional style means Morgan brings a different skillset to the Lionesses back line, being used to chasing down strikers who are much faster and more physical than many in the WSL. It is perhaps unsurprising that the three England players playing in the US are all in the backline – Gotham center-back Jess Carter, Orlando Pride goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, and Morgan.

Above: Esme Morgan for Washington Spirit. Photo: Roger Wimmer / ISI Photos.

Versatility

Morgan is often used as a substitute for captain Williamson at right-sided center-back, but she can play all over the back line – or even in central midfield. Due to a glut of injuries at Spirit, she has utilised this versatility at club; although she played most games at left-sided center-back, she also spent games at right-back and in a back three.

England have more depth in the center-back roles, with Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Carter, Greenwood, and Bright (if available) all able to play there. The main areas of weakness are on the wings, with stalwart Bronze approaching the latter stages of her career, and Greenwood, Charles, and Carter alternating on the left. In her appearances for England, Morgan has played on both sides of the center-back pairing, on the right in a back three and at left-back.

Mentality

It is arguable that Morgan’s greatest strength is neither her passing ability nor her versatility: it is her team-first attitude and mentality. Against Sweden, Williamson was substituted due to injury and left the stadium in a protective boot, and Morgan was asked if she was thinking about the possibility that Williamson’s injury may open the door to a spot in the starting line-up. Morgan was emphatic in her reply:

“I want what’s best for the team and that’s absolutely having our captain on the pitch.”

Much like in 2022, the ‘finishers’ have played a massive role in the team’s success so far. Unlike 2022, more has been made of the entire squad this time around, with a ‘one team’ mentality at the forefront. Morgan has been asked about this role:

“I’m always content knowing that I’ve given absolutely everything to be in the best position to make an impact and just do whatever role I have to the best of my ability, so my mindset doesn’t change at all. I’m going to prepare in exactly the same way. And obviously, being able to play the other night was such an amazing feeling and it’s given me the confidence to perform should I be called upon again. But obviously that’s not my decision. I’m just going to make sure I’m ready for whatever my role is.”

Whilst some have been critical of Wiegman’s direct approach to communication with players, others have highlighted the benefits of having clarity on their roles. The ability to embrace a ‘finisher’ role with an awareness of one’s contribution to the team – without letting ego get in the way – is valuable. The focus is on pushing the rest of the team – starters and finishers – as far as they can, to make sure competition for places is high and the team grows stronger.

That she accomplishes this feat whilst maintaining an aura of positivity and encouraging the squad to bond – she recently got the entire squad involved in a TikTok video playing basketball, and during the World Cup made friendship bracelets – makes her a vital member of a squad that prides itself on togetherness.

@esmemorgan_
Euros trick-shots @England #swish
♬ Tropical Summer Vibes – Netuno Music

There is a feeling amongst fans that Morgan’s minutes at this summer’s Euros may not be finished yet – and there is still a semi-final and potential final to go. Even without stepping foot on the pitch, Morgan can rest assured that her presence and approach to the competition is strengthening the Lionesses greatly – both on-field and off.

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NPLW NSW Round 20 Wrap-Up

By Georgie Lewis 22/7/25

With just a few rounds remaining, Round 20 delivered key results that have tightened the battle for fourth and given Bulls FC Academy control at the top of the ladder.

Match of the Round – Northern Tigers 0-1 Gladesville Ravens
Ravens extended their unbeaten run to six games with a deserved 1-0 win over Northern Tigers. Alyssa Ng Saad scored a late winner—her 13th of the season—with a brilliant curling finish into the top corner. Ravens controlled much of the match and created the better chances, while Tigers never looked like threatening consistently. With Tigers’ finals hopes already over before this game, Ravens continue to build momentum as they push for a strong finish.

NWS Spirit 2-0 Manly United
A huge result in the finals race. Spirit took control of the match after halftime and punished Manly through two brilliant finishes from Siena Hawkins, who stepped up with a double to seal the points. Skye Halmarick provided the assist for her opener, while Beth Gordon continued her dominant season in midfield.
For Spirit, it’s a result that keeps them firmly in the hunt for that last finals spot, while for Manly, it’s a costly loss in what’s becoming a tight battle for fourth.

UNSW 2-1 Sydney Olympic
UNSW claimed a 2-1 win over Olympic, their second straight victory. While the win keeps them in the conversation mathematically, they’re realistically outsiders in the finals race at this stage. Olympic competed well but couldn’t find an equaliser late, as their difficult season continues.

Illawarra Stingrays 0-1 Bulls FC Academy
Bulls took control of the premiership race with a narrow but important 1-0 win over Stingrays in the top-of-the-table clash. Isabella Coco-Di Sipio scored from a corner to put Bulls ahead, and Mio Nemoto made a massive penalty save to preserve the lead. Bulls were disciplined and composed, showing why they’re top of the table with only a few rounds to go.

Newcastle Jets 0-4 APIA Leichhardt
APIA kept their finals push alive with a commanding 4-0 win over the Jets. Goals from Sophie Hoban, Ashlie Crofts, Ashlee Brodigan, and Estelle Fragale saw them take full control in the second half. APIA are now in red-hot form after four straight wins and their Sapphire Cup victory—firmly placing themselves as serious contenders for fourth.

Western Sydney Wanderers 4-5 Macarthur Rams
The most chaotic match of the round, with Rams coming from 4-2 down to win 5-4 against Wanderers in a wild relegation battle. Amelia Cassar, India Breier, and Sakura Nojima were all key for Macarthur as they pulled off a massive late comeback to grab three crucial points.

Sydney University 2-1 Mt Druitt Town Rangers
Sydney Uni’s late-season form continued with another upset, this time against Mt Druitt. Goals from Charlotte Hogan and Kiara Bonora gave Uni a 2-1 win, continuing their run as the league’s surprise giant-killers. For Rangers, that’s more dropped points, though they remain top with games in hand.

Ladder Picture
Bulls are now in control of the premiership race. The battle for fourth is realistically between APIA, Spirit, and Manly—with UNSW needing results elsewhere to go their way to have a real shot. With APIA facing Bulls and Spirit taking on Mt Druitt in the final round, this top-four race looks set to go right to the wire.

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