Lionesses v Italia

Just think that winner wouldn't have counted if FIFA push on with their latest 'proposals' and scrap rebounds

 

You might say lucky, but if stats have any credence, virtually all the stats in both games were in England's favour, we outshot Italy 24-10, Sweden 10-8, possession and passing accuracy was significantly higher, corners 10-3 v Italy, although equal versus Sweden. The only thing that made Sweden look good was poor Jess Carter's absolute mare of a first half, the team as a whole performed well enough. As to the penalty, you might consider we were lucky to have it given, but if you look at it from the other way, had that been an England defender mauling an Italian in the box I doubt anyone would think they were lucky to have it awarded...I might be wrong but I think most of us would have accepted the decision and blamed our own player's absolute stupidity.

 

Agyemong should go and have a good career with England but she is very, very raw and often looked a little lost as what to do last night when she wasn’t involved directly and would do well to learn off Russo, whom aside of not scoring I thought was excellent last night in her running and work off the ball.

I agree she is a handful and gives England a completely different option that modern players don’t know how to manage against.

 

I was running out of patience with Wiegman, as she hadn't innovated enough, neither with the formation, nor the personnel, some of whom were under-performing, but still got in the starting eleven. However, they were brilliant decisions against Sweden to put on Morgan (who had pace at the back, which Carter lacked); Agyeman (for her predatory finishing) and Kelly for her creative assists. Similarly, against Italy, it was the right move to keep Morgan in for her additional pace at the back and, boy, were those Italian wing backs nippy. Kelly and Agyeman as impact subs again. Sweden will feel that they threw it away by trying the game-manage the last fifteen minutes. Italy grew in confidence after they scored, but I thought that we battered them over all and deserved the win. Another thrilling game. Great watch. Thanks, lasses

 

Actually, there was an occasion when one of the Italians put both hands on the ref (I can hardly call it a push) when she disagreed with her decision - I was fuming the ref did nothing about it.

 

Ten years ago did s hit housery exist in woman's international football?
I'm guessing not.

The time wasting and fake injury claims were the Italians undoing last night. Fair play to the ref for adding on the 7 extra minutes and for booking their keeper with about 20 minutes still to play for time wasting.

 

The way they have dug themselves out of a hole in the last two games they must believe their name is already engraved on the trophy!

 

What's this genius idea?

 

From what I have seen in this tournament is that the women`s game is just a mirror image of the men`s game. No difference and a shame because there used to be a big gulf in player attitudes it wasn`t just win at all costs by any means.

 

Agyemang was close with the chip over the goalie a little earlier, which hit the crossbar. I really wanted it to go in for her.

 

That caught my eye, too. Should have been a Red.

 

That's absolute gubbins! Defending and converting penalty rebounds is a massively exciting part of the game - and something I'm sure teams train for as they're not that uncommon an eventuality.

 

Do we want Spain or Germany?

 

Germany. I’d love us to beat them in a final.