England failed to make the breakthrough in their final home game before the World Cup as Sarina Wiegman watched her Lionesses draw 0-0 with Portugal. In front of a healthy crowd at Stadium:MK, England failed to put Portugal to the sword, with several wasted chances in a disappointing performance overall.
The Lionesses will now travel to Australia having failed to score in their last two outings, with this weakened squad not looking like one that can go all the way on this showing. They face one more warm up game against Canada Down Under, before the real action begins against Haiti.
But Wiegman will have learnt a thing or two about her best XI. The first half was drab as Rachel Daly started as the number nine and Mary Earps captained the side, with Lauren James preferred to Chloe Kelly. There was a new-look back four, as Jess Carter started at centre-back with Esme Morgan, and Alex Greenwood at left-back.
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But England’s defenders were relatively untroubled as Portugal didn’t muster a single effort on target. Instead it was up to the forwards to try and unlock this defence, something they failed to do despite multiple chances. Daly’s early header from a cross from the left was saved, before her clever movement created another chance she couldn’t convert with her head. Georgia Stanway hit the bar on the stroke of half-time but there was a distinct lack of excitement around the stadium.
Niamh Charles, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo were introduced at half-time as Lauren Hemp switched the right and Lauren James went to the number ten position. This change helped things as Hemp headed over from a corner and James was relatively threatening in her new role.
After a through ball from James down the centre, Russo rounded the goalkeeper and got her effort on target but Borges somehow got back on the line to prevent the goal. From the resulting corner Lucy Bronze hit the post before Kelly teed up Russo who hit her effort wide. This was a far more positive England in the second half with Kelly and Russo showing their class, while the threat of James’ driving runs from midfield caused problems for Portugal.
Yet England were unable to find the goal they wanted as Portugal dug in to keep them out. A resolute defensive display combined with a lack of attacking rhythm contributed to the stalemate, and it leaves the Lionesses slightly short of confidence as the head to Australia.
It also asserts the USA as the outright favourites to win the World Cup. They are currently 5/2 with Betfred and given that their league is mid-season, their players are fresh and England are out of form, that seems like a sensible choice given their next closest challengers are Germany at 6/1.
For England, it is back to the drawing board. Kelly, Russo and Hemp are likely to be the starting front three for the opener, but they will have to show a whole lot more if England are going to go all the way. A confidence building big win over Haiti is a must.
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