England Women vs Holland Women. UEFA Women's Nations League Group A1.
Wembley StadiumAttendance71,632.
Match report as England came from two goals down to stun the Netherlands with a superb second-half showing, scoring three goals to win the game and keep their dreams of Nations League finals qualification alive
Saturday 2 December 2023 09:48, UK
England hopes of reaching next year's Nations League finals were kept alive by a sensational comeback victory at Wembley Stadium, as they fought back from two goals down to beat the Netherlands 3-2.
The requirement for both of the Lionesses' December internationals was win at all costs, in an attempt to earn Team GB a spot at next summer's Paris Olympics, but things began unravelling when Lineth Beerensteyn's first-half double put qualification in severe jeopardy.
Something magical happened after the break, however, as England rediscovered their composure, and then their spark, to stage the most dramatic of turnarounds under intense pressure.
Georgia Stanway halved the deficit in the 58th minute, nodding past Daphne van Domselaar, before Lauren Hemp levelled with a fine strike on her 50th international appearance.
The mood and atmosphere inside Wembley, which was subdued after a disastrous first 45 minutes, changed dramatically thereafter, before England responded with the ultimate crowd-pleaser - a stoppage-time winner from substitute Ella Toone, teed up by Lauren James.
Now it all comes down to a final group-stage game against Scotland on Tuesday at Hampden Park, which England again have to win while also bettering the Netherlands' result vs Belgium, if they stand any chance of automatic qualification for the Nations League finals.
As it stands, the Dutch are above England in Group A1 courtesy of their better goal difference, with the sides level on head-to-head.
Knowing it was win or bust, England made an energetic start, with James and Chloe Kelly sending headers off target and Hemp forcing a fingertip save from Van Domselaar.
But failing to capitalise on early momentum proved costly, as England found themselves behind when Victoria Pelova played a ball from the right to Beerensteyn, who raced away from Lucy Bronze and Jess Carter, striking emphatically beyond Earps.
Jill Roord clipped the crossbar moments later, and the course of the half changed irreversibly in the visitors' favour.
Beerensteyn seized upon a bouncing ball in the 35th minute, which Carter failed to intercept, and hit a low shot that squirmed beyond Earps at her near post - a mistake she believes "cost the team".
"I really let the team down today, and I'm really gutted, really gutted," the goalkeeper told ITV4 post-match.
Earps dived and got her glove to the ball, only to see it slip past her clutch and trickle over the line - prompting a beating of the turf in frustration.
Sarina Wiegman responded at the break by taking off Kelly and introducing Beth Mead for her long-awaited return, just over a year on from suffering a cruel ACL injury, which paved the way for a quick-fire double to drag England back from the brink.
Stanway headed home from a pinpoint James delivery just before the hour mark, and then teed up Hemp's side-foot strike from the edge of the box two minutes later to level at 2-2 - leaving time to chase a winner.
England were out on their feet in the closing stages, and efforts to unearth a desperate third goal looked destined to end in vain.
But there was one final twist in the tale, as soon after, with the contest having entered stoppage-time, James whipped a teasing delivery to the back post where Toone had made a late dart, and she slotted the ball impressively through Van Domselaar's legs. Reprieve. Elation.
England live to fight another day.
England manager Sarina Wiegman:
"I was pretty calm. I was very disappointed they scored the second goal, I didn't think we played bad in the first half.
"The first time they came in our half of the pitch they scored. Still, I didn't think we played bad. We needed more.
"We truly believed we could turn it around. That's what we said at half time. We said 'score one goal, and they will be shaky', because we had some good press moments. We never lost trust."
Speaking about the performance of goalkeeper Earps, she added: "I spoke to Mary briefly - you win as a team, you lose as a team. That is part of the game. Of course she didn't let the team down.
"You only let your team down when you don't put effort in the game, and that never happens."
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter at Wembley Stadium:
"First thing's first, how England managed to flip the script over the course of an astonishing 90 minutes was staggering. They were on the ropes at half time. If this were a boxing match, the referee would have called time on the contest.
"The Netherlands came with a game-plan and were executing it to perfection. The approach was extremely one-dimensional but it worked, and control was all theirs - balls over the top, get England on the turn and punish any mistakes, of which there were plenty.
"The interval allowed England to regroup, send on Beth Mead, and acted as a timely reminder that this was a must-win occasion with severe consequences.
"The improvement of Georgia Stanway after the break set the tone. She put her foot on the ball and wrestled control of the middle third, helped by a sprinkling of stardust from Lauren James with a pair of assists.
"That sets up a tasty 'all or nothing' showdown with Scotland on Tuesday, which is ironic, given the fierce rivalry between the two nations. There's no way Scotland will roll over and allow England to canter to victory, despite the result being academic for them. It's about pride.
"What's worse is, if Scotland do manage to get the better of England and ensure they aren't in a position to qualify, it would only deny the sprinkling of Scottish hopefuls that might be in line to represent Team GB the chance to go to the Paris Olympics. It feels wrong. But we are where we are.
"Roll on Tuesday."
It all comes down to this. England travel to Hampden Park to take on Scotland on Tuesday, which will conclude their Nations League group stage campaign; kick-off 7.45pm.
The Netherlands face Belgium on the same night, and are still in pole position in the group - with a +3 goal difference advantage over England.
