Sarina Wiegman admitted there was room for improvement in the final third after England cruised to a narrow 1-0 win over Austria in their Euro 2022 opening group match.
Beth Mead’s 16th-minute lob proved decisive on a night that saw England frustrated by their strong and well-coached opponents.
Ellen White headed a header just wide and Lauren Hemp saw her effort from close range well saved by Manuela Zinsberger, but the Lionesses’ clear scoring opportunities were largely restricted.
“I think we were a little bit rushed in the last third,” Wiegman said. “We created a lot of chances, but the finishing touch or the choice of the ball to shoot or cross, we can do better. But the most important thing is that we scored one and kept a clean sheet, which is really good.” also and that we have three points.
“This start is very important and it gives a big boost to the team and the public, so that was very important. We had very good moments in the game, we created a lot of chances, we should have scored a little more but we also had some difficult moments. in the game we beat and I think that’s really good.
England started nervously in front of a record crowd of over 68,000 at the Women’s Euro at Old Trafford, giving up possession on a couple of occasions on the edge of their own box, but grew in confidence as they adjusted to the huge occasion. before Mead broke up. the dead end
A nervous last 10 minutes followed with England protecting their narrow one-news block lead, but Wiegman was impressed with the maturity her team showed to see the game through.
“We had a couple of phases in the game,” the England manager added. “So we didn’t start very well, then we had control in the game and we pushed them back into their half, and that’s what they did very well as well. They’re very tight, very physical, very well organized.”
“In the second half we were too careless with the ball at times when we should be in control. I think in the last few minutes we were very calm and kept the ball longer, and that was very mature.”
