As the USA and Czech Republic encounters saw the curtain come down on England’s 2022 home games, the Lionesses can not only look back with pride but forward with anticipation and excitement.
Their Euro 2022 momentum continued with sell-out crowds at both Wembley and Brighton as England gained a physiological advantage with victory over defending World Champions the USA.
And while the game against the Czechs may have ended in a goalless draw, both matches further reinforced England’s quality and strength in depth, leaving head coach Sarina Wiegman with plenty of selection dilemmas ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Following Ellen White’s retirement, much was made of Euro 2022 super-sub Alessia Russo stepping into the record goalscorer’s shoes to lead the line for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
However, with the 23-year-old’s injury withdrawal prior to the double-header meaning Russo is still to complete a full 90-minutes for the Lionesses, question marks remain over whether she is the natural choice.
With fellow forward Beth England also omitted from the 24-player squad, it was left to Lauren Hemp to move into a more central role for both games.
Against the US, she made the transition look effortless – opening the scoring after 10 minutes as well as continually causing problems with her pace behind the defence and excellent link-up play.
England left-back Rachel Daly is another option, heading into the double-header having scored four goals in three games for Aston Villa since joining in the summer and claiming September’s WSL player of the month award.
Yet, despite these goalscoring exploits, Wiegman resisted the calls across both games with Daly in her customary full-back role against the US and coming on for Demi Stokes in the same position as a second-half substitute against the Czechs.
Regardless of whoever Wiegman does select, it underlines the old adage that good players can play anywhere with this tactical adaptability and flexibility not just exclusive to the front line.
Leah Williamson’s ankle injury days before the USA game meant left-back Alex Greenwood moved into central defence alongside Millie Bright for both games and didn’t put a foot wrong on either occasion.
Esme Morgan’s second-half introduction against the Czech Republic was also an intriguing plot twist, making her debut after recovering from a leg fracture that had kept her out for almost a year.
The 21-year-old offers versatility, able to play either as a centre-back or right-back and would have certainly been in consideration for a Euro 2022 squad place had she not experienced her injury set-back.
While Morgan is tipped for great things, one player that already seems to have the world at her feet is Keira Walsh who once again reinforced her talent against the Americans and why Barcelona have paid a record £350,000 fee for her services.
The 25-year-old is England’s driving force with her exquisite footballing brain on full display against the World champions with her classy initiative, slick interceptions and game changing passes from midfield.
Walsh and the rest of the Lionesses’ gave USA a taste of what could come at next summer’s World Cup in a victory which reinforced why the nation fell in love with Wiegman’s side this summer.
Naturally, the game against the Czechs a few days later was always going to be a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show and it is hard to fathom why the FA decided to agree to the games in this order.
England appeared lethargic in Brighton and were left frustrated by their inability to break down a stubborn Czech defence while also presenting their opponents with too many chances themselves.
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How much of a concern against lower opposition who decide to sit deep and try and grab a result on the break remains to be seen, although Chelsea’s Lauren James, making her debut, did offer a bright spark with her pace out wide.
Either way, both games will have been seen as ‘mission accomplished’ for Sarina Wiegman as England remained unbeaten as well as putting down a huge marker ahead of next year’s World Cup by beating the often all-conquering World Champions USA.
The Lionesses will sign off what has been an incredible year with two games against Japan and Norway in Spain next month where Wiegman will undoubtedly look to tweak both tactics and personnel.
Tweaking is all she will need to do though because, having conquered Europe this summer, the Lionesses are more than ready for world domination next year.