Possession Play & Offensive Movement: Analysing England's Wembley Win
The Lionesses wobbled but didn’t fall versus the US Women’s National Team in what could turn out to be a preview of next year’s World Cup final, winning 2-1 at a packed Wembley Stadium.
England took to the field without injured captain Leah Williamson – and her absence was noticeable. Sarina Wiegman’s side were less composed in possession, which paved the way for Sophia Smith’s 28th minute equaliser:
Mary Earps (ENG1) plays a short goal-kick to Mille Bright (ENG6). She shapes up to play a ball to the feet of Georgia Stanway (ENG8). However, the Americans are switched on to the play and arrive on the scene quickly.
Stanway tries to play her way out of trouble, taking a touch toward her own net. Lindsey Horan (US10) wins the physical battle and pokes the ball into Smith’s path (US11). She shoots and scores into the bottom left corner.
There were two preventative solutions available to England:
Bright receives the ball from Earps, spots Horan’s pre-emptive press, and opts against the forward pass to Stanway. Instead, she plays wide to Lucy Bronze (ENG2) — who (unlike Stanway) doesn’t need to turn to play her next pass. England break the press.
Bright ignores the press and plays to Stanway anyway. Rather than engaging in a physical battle with Horan, she attempts a one-touch play to Bronze. England break the press.
With the diminutive Lauren Hemp leading the line, the Lionesses couldn’t use their direct goal-kick approach from the Euros. And while it backfired for the USA’s goal, it mainly benefited them.
Earps isn’t a ball-playing specialist. However, she made several press-breaking passes:
It’s the third minute and England are pinned back to their goal line. Alex Greenwood’s (ENG5) options are limited with Megan Rapinoe (US15) cutting the vertical passing lane. She plays inside (as forced by the USWNT) to Earps. She doesn’t panic after a loose touch and passes into midfield:
We’re into the 56th minute and the Americans are in the ascendancy. Greenwood, Bright, and Earps combine neatly before clipping the ball to Chloe Kelly (ENG11):
The sequences above are noteworthy because they demonstrate Wiegman’s willingness to take risks to entrench her system.
Even without their best ball-playing defender, England were brave with the ball (once to their detriment) in the defensive third and exerted more control over the match as a result.
Hemp’s off-the-ball movement in the No. 9 role was also encouraging.
The game is off to a frantic start, with both teams pushing for an early goal. Stanway has the ball and drives towards the defensive line. Hemp (ENG9) holds her run and drops into a pocket space.
Once Naomi Girma (US12) pulls out of the back four to engage her, Stanway plays a drop pass to Beth Mead (ENG7). Anticipating a shot from range (and possible rebound), Hemp runs into clean air off Alana Cook’s shoulder (US3).
In the clip above, Hemp’s patience adds an element of unpredictability to the English attack. It became a theme of the match.
Four minutes later, the Lionesses break through the USWNT’s press and attack down the right flank. Hemp controls the gap between herself and her marker(s), thus avoiding a physical battle she would probably lose. Her arms-length positioning creates uncertainty in the penalty area, which results in her goal.
The sequence is too long for Substack to handle. So, here’s a clip from Twitter:
While there were times when England were overpowered by the world champions, the result speaks for itself. (As does the Lionesses’ resilience without Williamson.)
There are 285 days until the World Cup begins. Wembley’s sell-out exhibition was the first of many milestones in the march to Australia and New Zealand. Both sides will improve from here.