Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-14
**Lead**
England's women's national team took another significant step towards securing their place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup with a hard-fought victory on Tuesday evening, yet the manner of the performance has done little to silence growing concerns that this Lionesses side, for all its talent, is not currently playing like a team capable of lifting the trophy in Brazil. The win, secured at a rain-soaked Wembley Stadium, keeps Sarina Wiegman's side firmly on course for automatic qualification, but the disjointed display against a defensively stubborn opponent has reignited a familiar debate about tactical rigidity and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
**Context**
The Lionesses entered the international break knowing that a victory would all but confirm their place at the finals, with the qualifying campaign having been largely straightforward since its inception. England have dominated their group, as expected, but the margins of victory have often flattered to deceive. Tuesday's match followed a familiar pattern: England dominated possession, created a handful of clear chances, but struggled to break down a well-organised low block until a moment of individual quality late in the second half. The 2-0 scoreline, which included a stoppage-time second goal, masked what was, for long periods, a frustrating and laboured display.
This is not an isolated occurrence. Throughout the current qualifying cycle, England have consistently failed to hit the heights of their Euro 2022 triumph or their run to the World Cup final in 2023. The team has registered victories, yes, but the fluid, high-pressing, attacking football that defined Wiegman's early tenure has given way to a more cautious, possession-heavy approach that often lacks tempo and penetration. Against the top-ranked nations — the likes of Spain, France, and the United States — such inefficiency in front of goal is likely to be punished ruthlessly.
Wiegman, who has been in charge since 2021 and has transformed England into a genuine global powerhouse, has faced increasing scrutiny over her team selection and in-game management. The decision to persist with a particular formation, despite the availability of several in-form attacking players, has been questioned by former players and pundits alike. The absence of key creative midfielders through injury has not helped, but the squad depth, once considered England's greatest asset, has not translated into a coherent plan B on the pitch.
**Analise**
The significance of Tuesday's result cannot be understated — qualification for the World Cup is the bare minimum for a squad of this calibre, and they have delivered that. However, the performance raises a critical question: is this team merely going through the motions in qualifying, saving their best for the tournament itself, or are these displays a genuine reflection of a side in decline? The evidence from the last year suggests the latter. England have not produced a truly dominant, complete performance against a top-tier opponent since their victory over the Netherlands in the Arnold Clark Cup in early 2024. Since then, results against elite opposition have been mixed, with defeats to Spain and France exposing vulnerabilities that lesser teams have been unable to exploit.
The upcoming draw for the World Cup will be pivotal. If England are placed in a group with a physically imposing European side or a technically gifted South American team, their current struggles to control games for the full 90 minutes could prove fatal. The tournament in Brazil will present unique challenges — the heat, the travel, and the passionate home crowds — that will demand a level of tactical flexibility and mental resilience that this team has not consistently shown in recent outings. Wiegman's ability to adapt her system mid-tournament, a hallmark of her success in 2022, will be tested like never before.
Moreover, the psychological aspect cannot be ignored. The Lionesses have spoken openly about their desire to go one step further than their runner-up finish in 2023. But with that ambition comes pressure, and the current performances suggest a team playing with the weight of expectation rather than the freedom that characterised their Euro-winning campaign. The lack of a clear identity in possession, combined with a tendency to sit deeper when pressed, is a worrying trend. For England to be considered genuine contenders, they must rediscover the aggressive, front-foot football that made them the best team in Europe. Right now, they look like a side that can qualify for the World Cup — but not one that can win it.
**Fontes**
This report is based on live match coverage and post-match analysis from BBC Sport, Sky Sports, and The Guardian, as well as official FIFA and UE