England was once a team that was always in touch with silver goods, but was never able to get over the line.
Think of your remarkable World Cup run in 2019, where you reached the semi-finals to painfully close against the United States. This changed when Sarina Wiegman took responsibility in September 2021, less than a year before the new planned European Championship.
In this tournament, the lion women really established themselves in the world elite and stormed to fame on the floor. They drove past Spain in the quarterfinals of Spain, dismantled Sweden 4-0 in half -time and then achieved a historical extension victory over Germany in the final.
This now immortal team carried their dynamics forward and extended their unbeaten run to 30 games before being defeated in a friend in front of the world against Australia in 2023. Despite some signs of vulnerability, England made it to the Finale World Cup and came at a touching distance at the greatest price of football.
But it was Spain that had the last word, won 1-0 in Sydney and announced himself as a new dominant force in Europe. The performance dynamics have shifted since that moment.
Spain won the first Uefa Nations League last year, while Barcelona’s dominance at the club level only strengthened the country’s overall status at the top. England, on the other hand, tried to maintain his lead.
Wiegman’s team could not continue from their group of Nations League and as a result. Her qualification campaign in Euro 2025 was anything but smooth and took second place behind France – enough to book her place in Switzerland next summer, but hardly the dominant statement that they wanted to make as a reigning master.
The truth is that England has looked vulnerable since the World Cup. Perhaps her dip started in the form, masked by this surprisingly deep run in Australia.
The latest 4: 3 defeat against Germany in Wembley in October was a blatant example of her fights. They saw defensive weaknesses with 3-0 within 30 minutes, and although Georgia Stanway’s quickfire clip restored hope, England never really looked like winning the game.
Defensive improvements showed up in the United States in November and a 0-0 draw, but it was Emma Hayes’ Olympic champion who looked able. In order to make the matter more complicated, Wiegman has a large selection dilemata to solve the euro.
The goalkeeper situation remains uncertain, and Mary Earps is not the same strength it was. Alex Greenwood’s recovery time bar from long -term injuries leaves a question mark in central defense. In midfield, Georgia Stanway is also a great doubt about the tournament after he has undergone an operation because of a lateral collateral band injury and leaves a large hole in the machine room.
The attack also looks less impressive than before. After the last euros, Ellen White retired and, according to her ACL injury, is still working in the top shape after she has suffered great personal trauma since 2022, and England lacks the depth of number nine.
Alessia Russo remains the focus, but the options are also limited. Rachel Daly has withdrawn from international football, Bethany England has never set a place, and Wiegman seems hesitant to trust young talents like Chelseas Aggie Beever-Jones on the largest stage. The dependence on aspiring stars like Grace Clinton and Jess Park to achieve an effect – similar to Russo and Ella Toone in 2022 – is more of a gambling than a certainty.
In the meantime, the Spain’s own inconsistency at the Olympic Games last summer and non -convincing results in recent international breaks indicate that they are also not untouchable. The euro of this summer could be the most competitive so far, since Germany, France, the Netherlands and Sweden watch the crown.
But the fact remains – England is no longer the team of fear. The gap that was briefly there was closed and the aura of invincibility that they once had under Wiegman has faded.
That is why the templates of the coming Nations league are so decisive. With Portugal and Spain on the immediate horizon this month, England has the perfect opportunity to remind their rivals as to why they were once considered a dominant force.
Strong results could be the thrust that they need before the euro and have doubts about faith. Otherwise, you risk going into summer as another candidate and not beating as a team.