The role of the team
Depth in a tournament is crucial and England have it in abundance. Each of the 23 play professionally with all but one playing regularly in the Women’s Super League last season – Rachel Daly plays for the Houston Dash in the US National Women’s Soccer League. They have spent significant time on the pitch, gaining vital experience. Wiegman rarely changes her starting lineup – she has named the same 11 for every match this tournament – but using her bench has been key. Her finishers play an integral role, whether they make an impact in front of the goal or add cover to help them see a game out. Ella Toone (left) has been key on the England bench as Sarina Wiegman’s players have made their mark. Photo: Lynne Cameron/The FA/Getty Images
Strong youth track
England are reaping the rewards of a strong youth system. Five of the Lionesses have played together since childhood. Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Ellie Roebuck and Lotte Wubben-Moy reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 Under-17 World Cup in Jordan, before three of the five took bronze at the 2018 Under-20s, while joined by Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp. Wubben-Moy missed it, while Toone was injured, but these tournaments have provided crucial development opportunities. There is a DNA that runs through English football. Mo Marley, who coached both age-group campaigns and was influential in so many Lioness careers, has since retired started an under-23 side and Wigman has ensured coaches across the board have input. Mo Marley (second left) came out of retirement to oversee England’s Under-23s this year, having been instrumental in much of the current senior performance. Photo: Aitor Alcalde/The FA/Getty Images
Pandemic delay
If any team benefited from the year being delayed due to Covid, it was England. A year ago, the Lionesses were a shadow of their former selves, without a permanent manager after the departure of Phil Neville and with results in decline since the 2019 World Cup. The extra year, which included competitive World Cup qualifiers, allowed this team to find its feet again and Wiegman to install her vision while giving the younger players an extended schedule to sleep. Subscribe to Moving the Goalposts, our women’s soccer newsletter.
Investment FA
The Football Association’s Gameplan for Development from 2017-2020 provided a strong foundation for creating an environment for success. The first two targets of doubling participation and attendance have been met and the England team’s success goal has seen them reach three consecutive semi-finals and now a grand final on target. The FA has supported women’s football, investing heavily in the Lionesses as well as the domestic game. The professionalism of the WSL, sponsorship from the likes of Barclays and the second to none support staff employed in the national side have all contributed.
Hosting this tournament
Hosting a major football event can work both ways. It can increase the pressure significantly, especially in a country so consumed by football. But it can also provide the vital support needed to energize teams to get over the line. You only have to listen to the roar of 28,994 in Brighton for the quarter-final victory over Spain to understand the role of sold-out, partisan stadiums. After the game, Wiegman wanted to acknowledge how key the fans were. “Today showed what the fans did for us,” he said. “It was really a home field advantage.”