England miss out on Nations League progression despite thumping Scotland
05.12.2023 - 22:33
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
England's hopes of making next summer's Olympics were shattered in heartbreaking fashion on Tuesday night despite a 6-0 thumping of Scotland at Hampden Park in the UEFA Women's Nations League.
Sarina Wiegman urged her players before the game to 'go wild' from the first minute and they did exactly that as they edged themselves in front early doors. With 12 minutes gone, Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood headed home from a Beth Mead corner.
Lauren Hemp should've made it two on the half-hour mark with an almost empty net to aim at she was unmarked at the back post. Somehow, she couldn't find the target and hit the woodwork. Lauren James offered England a glimmer of hope, though, with two quick-fire goals in two minutes to lift hopes.
Beth Mead then scored her first goal for the Lionesses in 15 months after suffering an ACL injury last year. On the brink of half-time, she latched onto a clever ball from James and fired home from close range.
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The Lionesses continued the momentum into the second half as Georgia Stanway won the battle against Rachel Corsie down the right. Her driving low cross into the box fell perfectly for Fran Kirby to tap it in and make it five.
The second-half was drama-filled as the Dutch made it 3-0 in their game against Belgium late on. Lucy Bronze, though, added a sixth for Wiegman's side deep into stoppage time.
Here are the biggest talking points from Hampden Park...
Netherlands finish top on goal difference
Six goals and a clean sheet against Scotland wasn't enough to top their Nations League group as the Netherlands scored two