Wiegman impressed with England showing against Spain

Sarina Wiegman was delighted with her England women’s senior team’s 1-0 victory over Spain, as the Lionesses overcame the world champions on home turf at Wembley.

Jess Park’s first-half strike was the difference between the two teams as Wiegman’s side put three important points on the board in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

“I think the whole game was very impressive,” said Wiegman. “It was a very high tempo, very intense and I found our performance very impressive. The work that the team put in and the togetherness, that showed off today.”

And the Lionesses head coach was full of praise for the goalscorer, who also started England’s 1-1 draw with Portugal last week and broke the deadlock against Spain in the 33rd minute.

“I think she needed that,” explained Wiegman. “This performance helps us a lot. We have been working so hard but it didn’t go our way a couple of times.

“Jess was in a position she hasn’t played a lot lately, but that will give a boost to her. She had to grow into the game and the pace of the game but she did really well.

Wiegman made just one change to the side she fielded against Portugal. Mary Earps made way for Hannah Hampton between the sticks and the 24 year old put in an impressive individual performance.

“I think today everyone took a step forward,” said Wiegman. “That is what you hope they do, and they perform at the highest level. That is what she [Hannah Hampton] did and that’s what the team did.”

Now, Wiegman is hoping that result can breed confidence among her players as England signed off the first international camp of the calendar year on a high.

“It helps – winning always helps,” she continues. “We know where we want to go to, where we are right now, what we are working on. Now we win it is not that everything is good, and when we lose it is not that all of a sudden that everything is bad.

“The best thing was the togetherness and fight we put in the game was great. That’s where it starts. Next time when we go to play Belgium, it will be another game and we want to take it to the next level.”