Women’s World Cup: England’s key ‘worry’ laid bare as Lionesses prepare for historic final
Sarina Wiegman is readying her troops for the World Cup final
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The Lionesses go into Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain with a key “worry” in their minds, according to a sports reporter.
Sarina Wiegman is preparing her team for their second major competition final in a row, having won the 2022 Euros.
England will be hoping to go a step further and win the World Cup, a competition that represents a step up in quality with teams such as Australia and the US competing.
Wiegman and co will take on Spain in the final having booked their spot in a 3-1 victory over host nation Australia.
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According to sports reporter Aidan Magee, La Roja pose a significant “worry” that the Lionesses will have to contend with.
“My worry for England is Spain love scoring a goal”, he told GB News.
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“They have 17 goals in six games, but in the group stage they were beaten 4-0 by Japan.
“That wasn’t a dead rubber, that was a key game, so they can concede as well, England have only conceded three.”
Magee added that Wiegman faces an important decision for the final as Lauren James returns from suspension.
The striker was shown the red card for a stamp during England’s win over Nigeria, and returns to contention having served her three-game suspension.
Lauren Hemp is one of England's World Cup stars
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James has already impressed at the tournament, registering three goals and three assists.
Magee believes the Chelsea striker won’t be recalled given Ella Toone’s impressive showing in the semi final, and will instead have a role off the bench.
“Ella Toone is at risk because Lauren James is back from suspension”, he told Martin Daubney and Anne Diamond.
“I can’t see Sarina Wiegman dropping her because she scored the first goal against Australia the other night, it was an excellent goal too.
England's Beth England, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone celebrate victory after the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter-final at Stadium Australia, SydneyPA
“For all of Lauren James’ talent, I don’t think that warrants her coming straight back in the team.
“Given the dynamic, pacy, skilful and powerful player she is, I think she is perfect to come off the bench.
“Especially when the chips are down maybe in the last 20 minutes of the game, she could come on and torment the Spanish defence. I think that is how Sarina Wiegman will approach it.”
It comes as England captain Millie Bright insisted the Lionesses are ready for the “game of their lives”.
Bright said: “I think for us we live in the moment, and yes it’s a World Cup final, but for us our mentality is it’s another game.
“I think our preparations don’t change no matter the stage in the tournament and to me that’s the key part of preparation.
“I want our players to prepare in any way they need to, like they normally do, and we’ve got a game plan that we have to go out and execute, but I think everyone knows how big this is.
“I think it’s been players’ dreams for years.
“We know how passionate our nation is back home and how much they want us to win. But for us, there is a process. We have a game plan to execute. We need to play the game of our lives.”
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