England Secures Euro 2025 Spot but Must Improve

England has successfully secured its spot at Euro 2025 to defend its title as champions. However, there is still work to be done to convince supporters that they have what it takes to go all the way again, SSP reported.

The team, led by Sarina Wiegman, achieved automatic qualification for the tournament in Switzerland with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Sweden in Gothenburg. While they accomplished their objective, the performance was far from convincing. Throughout the qualification matches, concerns over a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and defensive sloppiness have persisted. Can England address these issues in the next 12 months?

Captain Leah Williamson believes "a lot more" is to come from the team. Despite having qualified, she insists that England has the potential to push themselves further in preparation for the tournament. Williamson recalls a similar situation ahead of the previous Euros, where the team exceeded expectations. She hopes that the same drive for improvement will propel them to greater success.

Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley acknowledges that times change rapidly in football. Two years ago, England dominated Sweden 4-0 in a spectacular performance that secured their place in the Euro 2022 final. Fast forward to the present, and their encounter with Sweden was far more nerve-wracking. Bardsley acknowledges that expectations have shifted after the Lionesses won the Euros and reached the World Cup final. The team needs to reset, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and embark on an improvement journey. The opportunities are within reach, but England needs to find the necessary ruthlessness and composure at the back.

It is apparent that other nations have caught up to England's level, but captain Leah Williamson remains undaunted. Although the team expects tough competition, she is confident in their ability to fight. The qualification process has tested them, and they have successfully navigated through the challenges. Their goal now is to squeeze every drop of potential out of themselves in the upcoming year.

The glaring concern for England lies in their attacking force. Despite having a wealth of talent, the team has lacked the required killer instinct in front of goal. Against Sweden, they struggled to create clear-cut chances, which echoes their performance against France and the Republic of Ireland. Manager Sarina Wiegman acknowledges the need for improvement in this aspect and intends to use their next international break to try different strategies in friendly matches. Tightening up defensively is also of utmost importance, especially when faced with pressured situations. The ability to maintain control and make sound decisions is something England must focus on and develop over time.

England secured their qualification as League A3 runners-up, finishing just one point behind France. While improvements are necessary, there are positive aspects to take away from the campaign. The qualifying group was regarded as the "group of death," containing three of the world's top six teams. England managed to secure two crucial away victories against Ireland and France. The team is proud of their accomplishments, understanding the difficulty of the challenges they faced.

Ella Toone from Manchester United expresses the weight of expectations placed upon England, emphasizing that there is still more to come from the team. She believes that competing against tough opponents in qualifying will better prepare them for Euro 2025, as it exposes weaknesses that can now be addressed and improved upon. The learning experience gained from challenging games is invaluable for the team's growth.

Sarina Wiegman reflects on the top-level matches, stating that they highlighted the areas they need to work on as a team and as individuals. Competing against lower-level teams may not uncover those weaknesses as sharply. England now has a clear understanding of their position and what needs improvement, and they will start working on those areas soon.

As England looks ahead to Euro 2025, their focus will be on honing their attacking prowess, shoring up their defensive capabilities, and continuing to learn from challenging matches. With determination and a commitment to improvement, England aims to reclaim their position at the top of women's football once again.