Ian Wright has called for a change in England's approach for the Women's Euro 2025 final, urging the Lionesses to start faster and avoid conceding the first goal. His comments came after England's dramatic 2-1 victory over Italy in the semi-final, a match that saw them come from behind with a late equalizer and an extra-time winner.
The Lionesses' semi-final win against Italy was hard-fought. Barbara Bonansea's first-half goal put Italy ahead, and England struggled to break down the Italian defense. It wasn't until the 96th minute that Michelle Agyemang, a substitute, scored the equalizer to force extra time. In the 119th minute, Chloe Kelly scored the winning goal after her penalty was saved, securing England's place in the final.
Wright acknowledged England's resilience and ability to come back from difficult situations but insisted that relying on comebacks is not a sustainable strategy. He believes that Sarina Wiegman, the England coach, needs to inspire a faster start from the team in the final against either Germany or Spain.
Sarina Wiegman made one change to the starting lineup for the semi-final against Italy, with Esme Morgan replacing Jess Carter in defense. The latter had been the target of racial abuse during the tournament, which Wiegman and the England players condemned. The team has been keen to show their stance against racism and had been taking the knee throughout the tournament. However, the Lionesses decided not to take the knee before the semi-final clash against Italy, after Lucy Bronze said the team questioned whether "the message is as strong as it used to be".
Looking ahead to the final, Wright emphasized the importance of England taking control of the game from the beginning. He wants the team to avoid conceding early goals and putting themselves in a position where they need to fight back. He believes that a faster start will give England a better chance of winning the final and securing their second consecutive European Championship title.
The Lionesses will face either Germany or Spain in the Euro 2025 final. Both teams are strong contenders, and England will need to be at their best to win. Wright's call for a change in approach reflects the need for England to be proactive and assertive from the outset. A strong start will not only increase their chances of winning but also send a message to their opponents that they are determined to lift the trophy.
