As England prepares for a crucial Euro 2025 group stage finale against Wales, head coach Sarina Wiegman and defender Alex Greenwood are unfazed by the emotional build-up surrounding the home nations clash. Despite talk of rivalry and revenge, the Lionesses remain focused on their own objectives: securing victory and a place in the knockout rounds.
England Embracing Pressure in Final Group D Showdown
England’s Euro 2025 campaign has been a rollercoaster so far. After a narrow 2-1 loss to France in their opener, the Lionesses bounced back emphatically with a dominant 4-0 win over the Netherlands. Now, they turn their attention to Sunday’s showdown with Wales, a match loaded with historical tension and competitive pride.
While Wales are on the brink of elimination after two straight defeats, head coach Rhian Wilkinson has made it clear her side isn’t going down quietly. With qualification hopes all but gone, Wales is targeting an upset to “spoil” England’s party.
Wiegman Focused on Performance, Not Rivalry
Despite the buzz around a fierce regional rivalry, Sarina Wiegman is keeping her squad’s focus firmly on the task at hand. “Of course, we’ve heard the talk about rivalry, but for us, it’s all about getting the win and moving forward,” Wiegman said during Saturday’s press conference in St. Gallen. “They’re passionate, but so are we. We’re concentrating on playing our game and delivering a top performance.”
Wiegman also emphasized that England is managing the pressure well, with expectations coming from both inside and outside the camp. “There’s always pressure on England, but that’s something we welcome. We expect ourselves to play well, control the ball, and take advantage of the space we can create.”
Greenwood: “We Thrive Under Pressure”
Veteran defender Alex Greenwood echoed her manager’s sentiments, stating that the squad is no stranger to being targeted by teams eager to take down the reigning European champions.
“It’s something we’ve grown used to,” Greenwood said. “That pressure is a sign of our success, and we’re proud of it. We don’t dwell on the opposition’s emotions—we focus on our own standards, our strategy, and enjoying these high-stakes moments.”
She added that the team is embracing the intensity that comes with must-win matches, describing Sunday’s fixture as “a high-pressure game we’re excited for.”
Squad Fitness Improves as Wiegman Considers Lineup Options
With England’s squad arriving at the tournament in varied states of fitness, Wiegman provided a reassuring update: all players are now capable of playing a full 90 minutes. That depth could prove crucial in the final group game.
Although she made tactical tweaks between the matches against France and the Netherlands, Wiegman remained coy about her lineup plans for Wales. “It’s hard to say if we’ve found our best XI,” she admitted. “This tournament evolves quickly, and we’ll make our decisions based on what’s best for this specific game.”
The Stakes: Win or Risk Elimination
With qualification hanging in the balance, England knows exactly what’s required against Wales: win, and they’re through. Any result short of that could mean an early and disappointing exit from Euro 2025.
Despite the tension, Wiegman and her players are confident in their approach and focused on execution—not distractions. “We respect Wales, but this is about us,” Wiegman concluded.
