SYDNEY – Sarina Wiegmann and Jorge Vilda prepare for the biggest match of their coaching careers – the Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain here in Sydney. With the launch date looming, both of them must make a huge decision that could shape a career legacy.
It is about taking high risks and making the right decision; Balancing cool judgment with passion and a gut feeling about tactics and team selection.
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Ultimately, Sunday’s final could come down to the call Wegman makes about Lauren James, and Vilda’s similarly incisive judgment on Alexia Putellas’ fitness.
Under normal circumstances, James and Butelas would be chosen to start in Australia without a moment’s hesitation. James is the 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder who is considered by many to be one of the stars of the tournament and a potential future Ballon d’Or winner; Potellas has already walked this path, winning the Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022.
By picking James, available again after being suspended for two matches to stand up to Nigeria’s Michelle Alouzi during England’s last-16 victory, Wegman will change the winning side and risk upsetting the rhythm the Lionesses found in their quarter-final win over Colombia. Draw and Australia into the semi-finals.
For Vilda, the dilemma is different but still pivotal. Botelas is the best player in Spain, and arguably the best in the world when fully fit, but the 29-year-old is nowhere near 100% and lasted just 57 minutes of the semi-final win against Sweden before being substituted.
After suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the build-up to Euro 2022, the Barcelona midfielder did not return to action for her club until the end of April. She then managed to play just 29 minutes of football in Barcelona’s six matches before the World Cup, having yet to play 90 minutes in a match.
It was Botelas’ substitution against Sweden that helped Spain win, bringing in substitute Selma Baralelo La Roja Forward and game-changing with her ability to stretch the opponent with her blistering speed. But Potellas is still a super capable player. Her introduction as a second-half substitute in the quarter-final win against the Netherlands helped Spain turn their dominance into victory, so she shone at this World Cup and gave Vilda reason to believe she could be the key player.
If Vilda leaves Botelas out of the starting lineup, it will be a huge call. Her unhappy reaction to her take-off against Sweden highlighted Potellas’ pride and determination to play a central role befitting her place in the game, but risking a player who clearly lacked fitness could cost Spain the World Cup. Filda could also regret leaving Potellas on the bench if England dominated and won the match.
This decision may be the cause of Vilda’s sleepless nights, but Wiegman will also be tearing up over James.
In James’s absence, Ella Ton filled the void in the forward role, and it was the Manchester United man who set England on course to beat Australia with a clinical first-half goal.
Toone lacks the X factor that James has in abundance. She’s not a potential Ballon d’Or winner, but she does have an invaluable talent for scoring in the biggest matches. Toni did so in the Euro 2022 final victory over Germany, against Brazil in the Finalissima win earlier this year and again against Matildas.
Should Wiegman choose to take James back over Toone, she would be choosing a player capable of delivering such poignant moments, but it’s Toone who has a proven record.
Having suffered the psychological blow of being sent off and then having to deal with the consequences of missing England the next two games, could Wigman trust her to keep her from getting out of her mind and putting in her best performance against Spain?
James raised questions about her temper by sending her off for that reckless flash of bluntness against Nigeria, so the World Cup final, and all the stress that goes with it, will provide a stern test of James’ ability to control her emotions – which Spain can look to exploit.
Coaches have such thorny issues that need to be addressed because James and Potelas are top players. Both of them change the rules of the game and win the match. But if they are not ready or at their best, their choice may tip the scales in favor of the other side. Wegman and Vilda face the toughest decisions of their career ahead of the final.
