England vs Australia: 3 main talking points after Lionesses loss | OneFootball

With less than 100 days to the World Cup opener, England were handed a defeat by upcoming tournament hosts Australia.

Prior to their 2-0 defeat to the Matildas, the Lionesses had maintained an unblemished record under Sarina Wiegman. The match was not a competitive one, however it will still be jarring for England to experience their first loss in 30 matches.

So, with Australia putting an end to England’s unbeaten run, what were the key lessons for both teams? We’ve listed our three main takeaways.

England’s defensive frailty

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Throughout much of the game, England’s defence appeared on the back foot. With key players Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood missing due to injury, the Lionesses at times seemed unable to cope with an aggressive Australian attack.

With the first goal coming from a defensive mistake, Wiegman will have plenty to consider ahead of this summer’s tournament. Just three months out from the competition, focus will undoubtedly be on shoring up the defence.

Australia are not to be ruled out

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Ranked 10th in the world by FIFA, Australia are undeniable underdogs when compared to the likes of the USA or Sweden, who are first and third respectively.

However, dealing a huge blow to England should serve as a warning shot as to what the Matildas are capable of. A world class attacking line-up combined with a robust defence could make Australia a real challenge for their opponents this summer.

World Cup title up for grabs

Usually ahead of a World Cup, there are clear cut favourites to lift the trophy. However, heading into this summer it appears that any number of teams could be crowned champions.

With so much world class talent appearing in one tournament, even teams lower down the world rankings could well be in with a chance of claiming the title. Australia having the home advantage could well give them the boost they need to claim their first World Cup.

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