Can England defend well enough to win a world title?<\/p>\n
England had 58 touches in Greece\u2019s box and turned that into three goals, whereas Greece had two touches in England\u2019s box but managed to score and hit the crossbar. Sarina Wiegman said she was not happy her team had conceded. Their defending in June\u2019s 4-0 defeat by Spain<\/a> also left much to be desired, and it feels as if England are not yet certain about who should partner the captain, Leah Williamson, at centre-back. Wiegman mentioned on Monday that stopping counterattacks was something they must fix \u2013 they also struggled defending quick breaks in April 2025 when losing in Belgium<\/a>. That year, they found a way to win the Euros but they must tighten up defensively if they want to win a first world title in the Maracan\u00e3 in July.<\/p>\n Why are the forwards not clicking?<\/p>\n England were wasteful in the final third in Greece and not for the first time in recent months. In the World Cup qualifying group England were 1-0 and 2-0 winners over Iceland in games where they should have scored more. A ruthless Spain, the world\u2019s No 1 side, secured 6-1 and 3-0 wins over Iceland. On Monday Wiegman was asked what one element of Friday\u2019s performance she would most like to improve and replied: \u201cThe execution in the final third. We got in good positions but then it\u2019s [about] staying onside, having the final pass, the right pass at the right moment, the run at the right time, and deciding what cross or cutback you\u2019re going to choose.\u201d<\/p>\n England preparing for the second leg against Greece on Tuesday. Photograph: Jacob King\/PAWho should start in attacking midfield?<\/p>\n For the past year, it has repeatedly felt as if Wiegman does not know who should start as the No 10, with Jess Park, Lucia Kendall and Laura Blindkilde Brown given chances along with Lauren James. Dropping \u2013 and recalling<\/a> \u2013 Ella Toone, plus the late addition of Grace Clinton to this squad, adds mystery. Erica Meg Parkinson\u2019s debut on Friday adds another youngster into the mix, and Beth Mead can also play as a 10. Asked on Friday whether the No 10 position had the most question marks surrounding it, Wiegman said: \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of competition on that position, where we have a lot of options, which also means, tactically, we can do different things. You can call it a \u2018question mark\u2019 \u2013 I call it many options.\u201d<\/p>\n What about the right wing?<\/p>\n England\u2019s left-wing starting position feels nailed on for Lauren Hemp, who has been in tremendous form for Manchester City. The right side, however, looks uncertain, not least because Chloe Kelly has been left out. James, England\u2019s most technically gifted player, would be the first choice for many, but she can also play centrally, and the uncapped Freya Godfrey has impressed for London City Lionesses. On Friday, Blindkilde Brown started on the right before being replaced at half-time by Mead. Whoever starts, there are only a handful of matches before next summer to build fluidity.<\/p>\n
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