England have Team GB Olympic hopes crushed despite Scotland thrashing

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·5 December 2023

England have Team GB Olympic hopes crushed despite Scotland thrashing

England were left heartbroken at the end of Tuesday night, despite thrashing Scotland 6-0 in their latest Nations League match.

The Lionesses did all they could to secure Olympic qualification for Team GB, but they were shot down in the dying embers of another match as the Netherlands beat Belgium 4-0 to seal their own fate.

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The Scotland vs England tie left the hosts in a bizarre position — a win for the Tartan Army would all but void their chances of appearing at next summer’s Olympic games with Team GB. But despite their defensive collapse, it still wasn’t enough as the Dutch came up clutch.

Starting XIs

Scotland

Gibson; Docherty, Mukandi, Corsie, Kerr, Hanson, Evans, McLauchlan, Clark, Emslie, Cuthbert

England

Earps; Bronze, Charles, Walsh, Greenwood, Morgan, Mead, Stanway, Kirby, James, Hemp

How it went

An early goal from Alex Greenwood gave England a crucial lead with just 12 minutes on the clock. A well-worked header from the Manchester City defender left Lee Gibson with little to do except pick the ball from the back of her net.

Three goals in quick succession put Sarina Wiegman’s side comfortably ahead despite several good chances for the hosts. A superb brace for Lauren James within a minute was quickly followed by a landmark goal for Arsenal star Beth Mead. The forward recently returned to the Lionesses’ squad after a lengthy injury absence.

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An early second half goal from Fran Kirby got the action back underway. The Chelsea forward found the back of the net just four minutes after play resumed. A late sixth for England came from Lucy Bronze as England looked to secure their spot at next summer’s tournament.

Despite the resounding victory, Wiegman’s side finished second in Group A. Two late goals in the game between the Netherlands and Belgium moved the Dutch top of the group well into injury time.

The match brings an end to both England and Scotland’s Nations League campaigns, and their Olympic hopes, as they bow out of the competition in the group stage.