As long as they are ready by 2 July, when Sarina Wiegman's charges begin their defence of their European title at Euro 2025 in Switzerland, there will be few complaints. However, there is plenty to think about after the Lionesses failed to capitalise after scoring twice in a strong opening half-hour, eventually allowing Christinah Kgatlana to expose a defensive fragility that just will not go away and pull one back for the visiting team.
"You will see changes," Sarina Wiegman had promised, after a far more familiar XI had graced the pitch at Wembley for the 4-3 defeat to Germany on Friday night. There were eight changes for the visit of South Africa, only Georgia Stanway, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson retaining their places in the starting line-up. Alex Greenwood started at centre-back alongside Williamson with Millie Bright dropping to the bench, Wiegman testing a less familiar partnership (between those three) and keeping the faith in her captain, who had not looked herself against Germany and has had a tumultuous start to the season with Arsenal.
This story is from the October 30, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the October 30, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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