There are uncanny parallels in the journey of both teams but Sarina Wiegman’s side know how to win a Euros
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lauded coach under scrutiny, super-sub strikers, “Who else?” moments from world-class players, a Bayern Munich star labouring after injury, a statement performance against the Netherlands and some luck at penalties. It’s England at the Euros, but is it 2024 or 2025?
When Michelle Agyemang drove unerringly through the ball in the fifth minute of added time on Tuesday night, the mind flicked back to this time last year and Ollie Watkins burying a shot in similar fashion. His was a late winner against the Netherlands in Dortmund, Agyemang’s a crucial equaliser against Italy in Geneva. But both were clutch finishes with seconds left on the clock from substitutes who had barely been on the field.
Having a pair of dependable closers is not the only similarity between these two England teams and, sometimes, the parallels can be uncanny. On the surface level, there’s the fact both teams have reached a final against Spain while, by and large, playing miserably. England should have lost to Sweden in the quarter-finals a week ago and to Switzerland at the same stage in 2024. They have managed only one dominant showing each, against the Netherlands, and arguably the men sustained that for only 45 minutes.
