England win Euro 2025: Can Sarina Wiegman lead new Lionesses to 2027 World Cup? – As far as anyone can tell, the Lionesses prefer a certain kind of Euro final victory: the kind that makes you feel sick to your stomach. With Alessia Russo equalizing Mariona Caldentey’s first-half opening, the tension between Spain and England was palpable as the two teams fought for a second half winner. England win Euro 2025: Can Sarina Wiegman lead new Lionesses to 2027 World Cup?
The match ultimately came down to a penalty shootout, even though England played better for long stretches of the second half and Spain dominated the extra session. Cata Coll made saves against England captain Leah Williamson and Arsenal teammate Beth Mead, while Hannah Hampton denied Aitana Bonmati and Caldentey, matching her opposite number.
Salma Paralluelo’s dragged wide gave Chloe Kelly the chance to reclaim the title she won three years ago against Germany at Wembley, while Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles converted in between Mead and Williamson’s misses. Kelly, the lioness of the field, wasted no time demonstrating why she is the clutch hero of her nation by crashing into the net from her one-of-a-kind run-up. The girls had done it again, and everyone is looking forward to watching them at the 2027 World Cup. It wasn’t perfect, and it was frustrating to watch in many respects, but they are back on top.
Is England a contender for the 2027 Women’s World Cup?
With two straight European crowns, three straight appearances in major tournament finals, and the opportunity to prove their might again in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, it is clear that England are enjoying the fruits of a golden age. And it’s safe to say they’re in with a legitimate shot at winning that trophy—the same one that they narrowly missed in 2023 against familiar opponents.
After losing the World Cup final 1-0 to Spain in Sydney, England’s shootout win in Basel was both delicious revenge and proof that the Lionesses are still among the best. Having more ground to cover is a natural emotion for a great team. The United States, the hosts Brazil, and continental foes Spain and Germany are sure to have something to say in response. Brazil has won the tournament four times. England win Euro 2025: Can Sarina Wiegman lead new Lionesses to 2027 World Cup?
Was Sarina Wiegman ever crowned World Cup champion?
No discussion of the Lionesses’ triumph can avoid mentioning the influence of coach Sarina Wiegman. Just four years ago, the Lionesses were a very different team: they had never won a major tournament trophy, had only made it to the semifinals of the Euros once in 2017, were short on support, and lacked the will to win. Now, they’ve won consecutive Euros.
Defending champions Sarina Wiegman’s Netherlands squad advanced to the 2019 World Cup final, where they were defeated by the US by a score of 2-0. August 2020 saw the Football Association announce Weigman’s appointment, and the following September she began her tenure. The incredible 30-game unbeaten run that included the 2022 home Euros run was another example of the revolutionary impact of the Dutch coach.
Wiegman has been under increasing fire since the 2023 World Cup, despite the success of her strategies up to that point. England needs to change if they want another shot at the top prize. After Lucy Bronze’s shocking disclosure that she started every game for England at right back during Euro 2025 despite a broken tibia, questions regarding her perceived rigidity in tournament selections have been circulating.
Wiegman started Chelsea star Lauren James on a regular basis despite James’s fitness worries; nonetheless, James withdrew from the final in the first half. Like many other midfielders, Georgia Stanway had little practice before the competition, but she was sure to start. These choices raise questions about Wiegman’s reliance on fan favorites and her rationale for benching regularly strong performers like teen attacker Michelle Agyemang and substitute Chloe Kelly, who were both voted Young performers of the Tournament.
Some of the team’s more seasoned players are also Wiegman’s favorites. Bronze will be 35 years old, Leah Williamson 30 years old, and Alessia Russo 28 years old when the World Cup comes around. This in no way suggests that they will not continue playing, but it does highlight Wiegman’s need to put faith in the Lionesses of the future.
Undoubtedly, work is underway on this. As a wild card entry into the competition, Agyemang has proven to be an invaluable asset, proving time and again that she can turn the flow of a game by scoring a goal in the dying moments. Hannah Hampton, who succeeded Mary Earps, has also shown her worth on multiple occasions, most notably in the shootout victories against Sweden and Spain.
Even though seven of her 23-player roster made their international debut at the Euros, only Agyemang saw substantial playing time; this shows that Wiegman still has some work to do before she can put her faith in the younger, more promising, but unproven members of her roster. The best chance Wiegman has of winning the World Cup, which has eluded her in the previous two finals, will come if she can discover this trust and the flexibility to bring in a new group of Lionesses to replace some of her reliable but aging first choices. England win Euro 2025: Can Sarina Wiegman lead new Lionesses to 2027 World Cup?
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