Women's Euro 2022: England group stage review

We are heading towards the end of the group stage of Euro 2022 and what a journey it has been already.

Records have tumbled, there’s been goals galore and the Lionesses have staked their claim as the team to beat.

Let’s delve into England's journey and see just why it could be coming home.

1. England 1-0 Austria

The very first game is always a showcase occasion and it was set up to be
so. Already, a record was broken for the highest attendance at the Euros -
nearly 69,000 people packed into Old Trafford to witness the Lionesses kick off the tournament.

Clearly, there were some nerves going into this match with the
spotlight firmly on them.

Beth Mead scored the opening goal of the tournament in the 16th minute after a beautiful ball over the defence from Fran Kirby and a chip from the Arsenal forward. Mead had been left out from the Olympics squad back last year and that has motivated her to play her best football not just this season but currently at this tournament.

Kirby herself has also struggled coming into the Euros. She had to sit out months of the season due to a fatigue issue which could have ruled her out altogether.

Another player that shone in this match was Georgia Stanway, who has become quite a key figure in the midfield and attacking areas. Her performance was recognised as she was awarded UEFA player of the match.

While this wasn’t an easy win for the Lionesses or even their best
performance, three points is three points and was a great start to the tournament.

2. England 8-0 Norway

Yes, you are reading that right.

England put eight past Norway, who currently sit 11th in the world rankings so you would have expected a one or two goal swing in the result. However, the Lionesses managed to completely tear apart a hapless Norwegian side that were shocked to their core.

It shows how much times have changed as back in 2000, the Norwegians were doing the same to the English.

It seemed as though Sarina Wiegman had identified their weakness and then the team exploited it over and over again. Norway were left floundering and just didn’t seem to have an answer until the second half. Six goals were
scored in the first half with Stanway, Mead, Lauren Hemp and
Ellen White all scoring. White scored twice which would have been a relief for her after a quiet game against Austria.

Mead wrapped up a hat-trick with nine minutes to go in the second half. The pace slowed after the break with the win already guaranteed and Alessia Russo got her first ever Euros goal in her debut tournament.

It was clear something seismic had happened this night. The Lionesses had
seen France win 5-1 and pretty much told them to hold their beer. Their claim was staked as the ones to beat for the title. Even Wiegman was left shocked by what had happened and the Lionesses soaked up the atmosphere after.

Sweet Caroline blasted through the stadium and they danced around. The
group was won but now it was onto a home nations clash.

3. Northern Ireland 0-5 England

No love is lost between these two. No matter what home nation it is, they all
seem to bring out a fiery side in each other. There’s always some sort of talk beforehand before these matches and also pride up for grabs.

Northern Ireland came into the match with nothing to lose after already being knocked out of the tournament. Just making it to Euros was
quite the achievement for them and there’s definitely more to come in future.

They played well in this match, managing to hold off and frustrate England. It
took a moment of magic from Fran Kirby to break the deadlock with her
sublime strike hitting the top corner. Mead added to her tournament tally a few minutes later.

In the second half, it was the Russo show with her first goal of the game coming after the break. Her second was the goal of the night as she received it from Ella Toone then spun round on the spot, Dennis Bergkamp-esque.

She then slotted it past Burns. Unfortunately the fifth and final goal for England will be one to forget for Northern Ireland. Kelsie Burrows went to clear it and ended up chipping her own goalkeeper.

That’s three games completed, 14 goals scored and none conceded. The Lionesses have been tested a little in the group stage but the true test is yet to come. Three matches stand between England and glory.