Their adopted anthem reminds Lionesses fans that “Good times never seemed so good.” Perhaps now that England have lost for the first time in 31 matches under Sarina Wiegman, it will sink in just how good their 19 months under their Dutch manager have been.
England limped to a self-induced 2-0 defeat to Australia, and as it was unfolding, it never once felt as though they might turn the tide and turn it around.
100 days from the World Cup, against the world’s 10th-best side and the co-hosts, Australia were supposed to provide a stern test for the Lionesses. They proved perhaps a little sterner opposition than desired.
Alessia Russo volleyed wide, acrobatically, and Lauren Hemp showed poise and precision when beating defenders and crossing from the right flank early on. But under the whistling wind and rain at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, England eventually lulled to a level at which they remained firmly stuck for much of this friendly.
Hemp, already wearing a mask after injuring her nose last week, had to be replaced by Lauren James for a separate reason on 28 minutes. While James still showed signs of her mercurial talent in this windswept fixture, the Lionesses just weren’t the same once Hemp gave way.
England were caught out defensively four minutes later, and through a familiar source they took the lead. Both sides agreed not to use VAR for this fixture, but England could have done with it as Australia took the lead through Chelsea’s Sam Kerr.
She looked marginally offside from a hoofed long ball forward. Nevertheless, Lionesses skipper Leah Williamson nodded the ball back to Mary Earps. The pass lacked conviction, slithering towards the goalkeeper without ever reaching her. The poacher that she is, Kerr nipped between the two to dink over Earps — disappearing into the rain to celebrate Australia’s smash-and-grab lead.
Kerr had been rested by manager Tony Gustavsson for the Aussies’ enervated defeat to Scotland on Friday. Oh how that decision had paid off now.
Wiegman’s tenure since taking over as England manager in September 2021 has been a monumentally positive affair. The nation has ridden the crest of a wave in the last couple of years. They had racked up a 30-match unbeaten run since she took over, but that looked increasingly likely to come to an end as England laboured to this listless display in West London.
Kerr toe-punted just wide with a legitimate chance to double her tally early in the second half. England stuck vehemently to their plan of playing out from the back, even as Australia continued to create chances and tally shots on goal. The Lionesses were missing two of their most experienced defenders in Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood. It sorely showed.
Through James on the left wing, England nearly levelled when her cross was shanked just wide of her own post by Clare Hunt. Then James herself cut inside and forced a save from Mackenzie Arnold. Signs of life from the hosts?
Absolutely not. No sooner had Rachel Daly replaced Ella Toone to become England’s second striker on the pitch, they were two goals down for the first time under their Dutch manager.
Kerr crossed from deep, Charlotte Grant steamed in to beat Lucy Bronze to the header, and the ball skidded off the again-unfortunate Williamson and dribbled past Earps — who had already dived out of the way. For both teams a scrappy goal, but for Australia a beautiful one.
The Australia manager Tony Gustavsson turned to a young fan and pretended to bound around like a kangaroo. His side were beating England. This England. The European champions and favourites this summer. Why ever not?
Wiegman wore a frustrated expression, like an expert chess player who had just lost for the first time.
A young girl in the crowd called on the Lionesses to shore up. She cried: “Come on girls. It’s time.” But it just didn’t look like it was. And indeed it wasn’t. For England, an off day. For the other challengers this summer, evidence that they are fallible. That they can be beaten.
