All went down to the wire in the UEFA Nations League this evening, as Sarina Wiegman’s England side claimed a 6-0 victory over Scotland after a dominant display at Hampden Park. Though a fourth goal from the Dutch in the dying seconds of their clash with Belgium saw the Netherlands claim the top spot of Group A, Team Great Britain falling short of the Olympic Dream.
All was tied up in Group A of the UEFA Women’s Nations League competition prior to this evening’s fixtures. Despite sitting on level points with the Netherlands, the three goal deficit differential left the Lionesses with a mountain of a task.
Though as things kicked off at Hampden Park in Glasgow, it seemed as if all was coming together for Sarina Wiegman’s side. An early brace from Chelsea’s Lauren James, as well as an expertly headed finish from Alex Greenwood pulled England ahead of the Scots before the break. It was a comeback goal from Beth Mead that saw the Lionesses head into half-time with a 4-0 winning margin.
Across the pond the Netherlands hosted Belgium with a half-time lead of 1-0, just marginal enough to allow England to temporarily claim the top spot in the group on a goals scored differential.
Just as the second half commenced, Fran Kirby found the net from an expertly placed cross by Georgia Stanway. Though no celebrations followed for the Lionesses, the side eager to increase their winning margin.
Wiegman’s dual substitution in the 65th minute saw goalscorers Beth Mead and Fran Kirby make way for the double act- Alessia Russo and Ella Toone. Despite the threatening partnership entering the game with a dynamic hunger, Scotland managed to hold England goalless for the remainder of regular time.
It seemed to just be enough for Team Great Britain’s Olympic dream to have a pulse, before a 91st minute finish from Dutch midfielder Damaris Egurolla saw the Netherlands take a 3-0 lead against Belgium.
Blissfully unaware of the sideline drama, England remained eager for more. A diving header from Lucy Bronze in the dying seconds of extra time would surely prove to be enough to send England through to the next stages of the competition.
Timid celebrations and congratulations ensued, before a huddle of Lionesses were made aware of the ever-pressing Netherlands. A goal in the 95th minute by Egurolla saw the Dutch take a 4-0 lead in the fixture’s final breath, claiming the top spot of the group and qualifying for the Olympic deciders.
Despite a heroic fight at Hampden Park, the dominant display was not enough for England, resulting in Team Great Britain missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
