Aitana Bonmatí is in inspiring form for World Cup holders but Lionesses have the blueprint to stop her and her team
F
ew could have predicted the rollercoaster of emotions England would take us on across five games, and trying to guess an outcome of a mouthwatering final between the European Championship holders and World Cup winners is futile as a result.
The uneven development of women’s football across the world has meant lasting rivalries are rare but we have a genuine one evolving with England and Spain. At a time when the top of the game has moved away from being a financial arms race and is being settled increasingly by the details, these teams’ meetings exemplify that.
For a long time relatively small investment or commitment could make a significant difference. Now the fine margins, the quality of staffing and the strength of the pathway into senior international football hold far greater sway.
