Sarina Wiegman has confirmed a major injury concern surrounding England captain Leah Williamson after she limped off during their Euro 2025 qualifier win against Sweden. The Lionesses fought back from two goals down to secure a victory in a penalty shootout in Zurich, but the win may have come at a cost with Williamson's injury.
Williamson went down after appearing to land awkwardly while clearing a corner in extra time. She attempted to continue playing but signaled that she wasn't at "100 percent" and was subsequently substituted before the penalty shootout. Wiegman addressed the situation in a post-match press conference, stating, "She rolled her ankle. She'll be assessed tomorrow,". The manager added, "I don't know what it is right now. She couldn't stay on the pitch so we had to take her off". Williamson herself spoke to BBC One, saying she was unsure of the injury's severity but prioritized the team's needs.
This injury is particularly concerning given Williamson's recent return from a serious knee injury. She missed the 2023 World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in April 2023. Williamson's return to the squad has been seen as a major boost for England, with Wiegman praising her decision-making and overall quality.
Prior to the current injury, Williamson spoke about the "anxiety" she felt ahead of leading England's Euro 2025 campaign, given her recent injury history. She captained the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2022 but was sidelined for the 2023 World Cup due to the ACL injury.
Williamson's potential absence would be a significant blow to England's chances in the Euro 2025 semi-final against Italy. Her leadership and defensive abilities are crucial to the team's success. If she is unable to play, Wiegman will have to reshuffle the defense and potentially look to other players to fill the captaincy role. Millie Bright has previously taken on the captaincy in Williamson's absence.
The extent of Williamson's ankle injury will be determined following assessment. The Lionesses and their fans will be anxiously awaiting updates as they prepare for their upcoming semi-final match.
