Super Sub Toone Saves England Once Again

Ella Toone scored yet another massive goal for England, in a goal that secured them a vital three points.

The Lionesses won 3-2 in dramatic fashion as the substitute scored in injury time. The hosts were 2-0 down at the break 

England manager Sarina Weigman came under fire for her team selection at half-time but she made the right call with the substitutes and got the result in the end. 

Speaking after the match Ella Toone said,

“It is always nice to get on the scoresheet. The main thing was to win and we did that. I knew my role was to come on and change the game in any way that I could. What a ball from LJ. We showed a lot of character to get the win.”

It means hopes stay alive for Team GB to qualify for the Olympics

Belgium drew with Scotland, meaning that England need to Win and the Netherlands don’t, they finish the group on top and into the last four.

England, as the nominated nation, had to win the match to proved Team GB any hope of qualifying for the tournament next summer. 

The hosts started the game strong and were in control, with chances coming for Chloe Kelly and Lauren James. But it was Lauren Hemp who came closest in 10 minutes who forced Daphne van Domselaar to make an imperative save. 

England had earned a corner, but a goal kick was given by referee Tess Olofsson.

Less than a minute later, Arsenal midfielder Victoria Pelova provided the pin point assist to Lineth Beerensteyn. Confusión at the back for England allows the ball to be coolly slotted past England captain Mary Earps.

Beerensteyn kept the pressure on and nearly doubled her tally in quick succession but Earps came off her line to clear the threat before she could get there.

The Lionesses were struggling to read passes and where the danger was going to continue from, allowing the Dutch to play freely and find the spaces.

Beerensteyn doubled her tally and the Dutch lead when she claimed possession from yet another mistake from England’s back line. 

Kelly and James both came close to reducing the deficit, but neither managed to.

England headed into the break behind and needed a special second half if they were going to challenge for an Olympic place.

And a second half they had!

There was a change a piece at half time with Sarina Weigman bringing Beth Mead on for Chloe Kelly. And Andries Jonker took Jackie Groenen off for Damaris Egurrola

The Dutch started the second half exactly how they finished the second half; they pressed high and defended deep.

England began to pick balls up well but were failing to convert them into anything. The Dutch were recovering their lost balls impressively well.

Georgia Stanway provided England a lifeline with a header from close range, just before the hour mark.

The goal gave the hosts confidence, and they put themselves back in the mix when Hemp scored the equaliser on her 50th England cap.

It was a well worked team goal, and provided the fans with the hope that they were short of in the first half.

 

England made 3 changes with Euro ‘super subs’ Alessia Russo and Ella Toone coming on for Fran Kirby and Stanway. There was also a change in the back line with Esme Morgan replacing Jess Carter

The Lioneses carried the momentum on and kept piling the pressure on the Dutch and came close to taking the lead on multiple occasions.

Russo had an instant impact from the moment she came on. She sat high and kept finding empty pockets.

A loose ball from Mead set the visitors in possession and they came close to restoring their lead. They were piling the pressure on in the last 15 minutes but England wasted no time in getting the game restarted.

England came close when a Dutch deflection nearly found its way into the net. They won a corner but they failed to convert.

With only 10 minutes left of play, Rachel Daly came on for Niamh Charles and Shanice Van de Sanden came on Danielle Van de Donk, who left the pitch with an injury.

Beerensteyn continued to pile the pressure on like she had all match but England’s defence were no longer fearful.

England came close to a winner but had too many players in the small space and failed to convert. Lieke Maartens took the counter but Earps saved the hosts.

Speaking to ITV after the match captain Mary Earps took the bulk of the blame for the goal deficit and said, “I’m just sorry my performance has cost the team tonight.”

 

Attendance: 71,632

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