Friday saw the return of the Women’s Nations League (WNL) as the opening group stage reached the halfway point. Here are some of the key talking points from the games.
Hermoso strikes as the world champions leave him late
After winning the 2023 World Cup this summer, things have not been rosy for Spain. Following the well-documented exit of Luis Rubiales and Jorge Villeda from their positions as president of the Spanish Federation and director of the national team, Spain appointed Villeda’s assistant, Montse Tomé, as head coach. But things off the field still cast a shadow over what happens on it.
League A leads Group 4 with two wins from two matches before its match with Italy, La Roja They were on course to drop their first UEFA Nations League points until the late introduction of striker Gini Hermoso. At the heart of the Rubiales fallout, Hermoso was left out of Tommy’s first-team Spain squad for their first two UEFA Nations League matches – raising many eyebrows – but was called up to the squad this month. The 33-year-old followed the script, breaking the deadlock in the 89th minute to undo all the hard work Italy had put in and seal a 1-0 win.
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Before that, Spain was struggling to break through the Italian defensive lines. If I visit themselves going through a period of turmoil that saw Andrea Sonsen take over and lean towards a more traditional style – not doing as much with the ball as possible. In fact, there has been a pattern familiar to long-time Spanish fans, with the team running low and focusing too much on keeping the ball rather than gambling on shooting. But they remain in leadership of the group.
Hrubesch put Germany back on track
There has been a lot of confusion All over Germany recently, absent coach Martina Vos-Tecklenburg appears to have gone from long sick leave to holiday amid questions about her future. But 72-year-old Horst Hrubesch has stepped up again.
Hrubesch is no stranger to the Germany women’s national team, having taken over five years ago when the team was suffering an identity crisis following the untimely departure of Steffi Jones and helped guide the team to the World Cup qualifiers. As was the case the last time he was at the helm, German football has improved dramatically and everyone seems to be on the same page.
With this new clarity, Germany began working on achieving a dominant 5-1 win over Wales, which continues to put pressure on Denmark at the top of Group C of League One. And it could be the story behind the hosts’ string of late goals in Sinsheim. Today – with three goals fired past goalkeeper Olivia Clarke in the final eight minutes to add some polish to the scoreline as the game winds down – but Germany’s reconfigured partnerships are the main talking point.
Tougher tests are due to come (they had 35 rounds to Wales’ 4) but the ship is already sailing in calmer waters below Hrobish. The team’s home match against Denmark on December 1 could decide first place.
Maccabi can’t stop scoring
On something of a tearjerker for Arsenal this season with three goals in four games, Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has taken that good form to the national team. She was the star of the show in the comprehensive 5-1 win over Albania in Dublin, scoring three goals and setting up two of Keira Karosa’s goals as well.
Far from a routine winner or hat-trick of passes, McCabe’s contributions included a pair of thunderous strikes from outside the box – a trademark of the 28-year-old – as well as a 60-yard, penetrating dash. Defenders to equip Carossa.
Albania are ranked 72nd in the world, but there is no doubting Maccabi’s individual performance at a time when Ireland are trying to deal with their off-field issues following the departure of Vera Pau. Three wins from three in League B Group A, plus a 12-1 record, is a good start.
Netherlands turn on style
The Netherlands will always create chances: part of that is down to the way they play and coach, and part of that is down to the talent within the team, especially in midfield and striker. However, orange They don’t always manage to take their chances and follow games. After losing in the quarter-finals in extra time at the World Cup (albeit to Spain, who eventually won the title), they began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a last-minute loss to Belgium in League A Group A last month.
But a last-minute win over England put them in a better position and they made sure to capitalize on their chances in a 4-0 win over Scotland which put them ahead on goal difference. The hosts saw off Pedro Losa Martinez’s side with ease, taking complete control through Daniel van de Donk in the 12th minute and two goals from Lyneth Bernstein in the second half to secure a comfortable victory. The Netherlands are finally starting to look more like the team that rose to such prominence in 2017.
And there was more good news with the introduction of Vivian Miedema, the Dutch all-time top scorer, in the 83rd minute, with the striker scoring two late goals in the space of a week after returning to action for Arsenal on Sunday against Bristol City after an 11-month absence. Through injury.
Sweden flatters to deceive
Sweden, ranked number one in the world according to FIFA, continued their lackluster form against an improved Switzerland team to achieve a narrow 1-0 win thanks to Magda Eriksson’s header in the 43rd minute.
Overall, Sweden’s performance was somewhat disappointing in Gothenburg, as they were unable to establish control over the match which could have given them some momentum as they chase Spain in Group D of League One. Although Sweden improved after the break, they were actually leading by a goal. Well, the team still lacks the attacking flair that coach Peter Gerhardsson cherishes. With a defensively resolute Italy side in their next match on Tuesday, it may be time for Gerhardsson to see what other tricks he has up his sleeve.
Reynard shows her stature
At the age of 33, French centre-back Wendi Renard is still as important as ever. The eight-time Champions League winner is one of the most iconic figures in women’s football, not just for her stature in the game but for her actual stature – at 6-foot-2, Renard is hard to miss.
One of Lyon and France’s (not so) secret weapons over the years has been Renard’s aerial ability in both boxes, and even now, 12 years after her first cap for France, teams fail to properly mark the long-range defender and can’t do much when she gets up. For her. head.
Indeed, after Norway had leveled their Group B match in League One to 1-1, they fell into Renard’s trap and failed to clear a defender from Salma Basha’s corner kick, allowing her to head the ball home in the 69th minute.
France could have made things easier for themselves and taken some more chances, but once again Renard was there to ensure their unbeaten start to the tournament continued.
Kirby returns to England
Could England have scored more in the 1-0 win over Belgium in Leicester? Yes. Should they? Also, yes.
For the Lionesses, who missed a late goal in their last match against the Netherlands, getting three points in their League One group match was key. The game may have been dominant from an English point of view (23 shots to 12; 72% to 28% possession), but it was also full of missed opportunities. However, one major positive has seen fan favorite Fran Kirby return to international action.
The inspirational midfielder has been out of contention for her national team for more than a year due to injury, and although she will not return to the starting line-up, her return gives coach Sarina Wegman plenty of room to rotate and will allow Ella Tonne a rest.
