In a match that raised as many questions as it answered, England Women narrowly defeated South Africa 2-1 in Coventry, with captain Leah Williamson and rising star Grace Clinton providing the decisive goals. While the victory returns the Lionesses to winning ways after their 4-3 defeat to Germany, Crickex experts note concerning defensive lapses that nearly cost Sarina Wiegman’s experimental side against the 50th-ranked opponents.
A Tale of Two Halves: England’s Jekyll-and-Hyde Performance
The Lionesses dominated early proceedings, with Williamson marking her 50th cap in style. The Arsenal defender showed composure beyond her center-back role when she collected Jessica Naz’s 12th-minute pass and clinically finished into the bottom corner.
Manchester United’s Clinton doubled the advantage just 11 minutes later, meeting Maya Le Tissier’s pinpoint cross with a powerful downward header that showcased her aerial threat. At this stage, England appeared in complete control, executing Wiegman‘s experimental 3-5-2 formation with precision.
However, the second half told a different story. South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana – arguably the player of the match – punished sloppy England defending with a 55th-minute strike after intercepting Williamson’s errant pass. The Orlando Pride forward nearly equalized on three separate occasions, only denied by last-ditch defending from Lucy Bronze and heroics from goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Grace Clinton’s powerful header demonstrated her growing importance to both club and country
Tactical Takeaways: Wiegman’s Experiments Raise Questions
Wiegman made eight changes from the Germany defeat, continuing her evaluation of squad depth ahead of next summer’s European Championships. While some experiments succeeded, others highlighted concerning vulnerabilities:
Successful Experiments:
- Grace Clinton thriving in advanced midfield role
- Leah Williamson’s leadership and goal threat from defense
- Jessica Naz’s creative spark in limited minutes
Problem Areas:
- Defensive communication breakdowns
- Vulnerability to pace in transition
- Midfield protection lacking without Keira Walsh
As Crickex analyst Mark Thompson noted: “The second-half performance exposed England’s defensive frailties against quick counterattacks. While experimentation is necessary, Wiegman will want more convincing displays against the USA and Switzerland next month.”
Player Ratings: Standouts and Struggles
England Women:
Earps (8) – Crucial saves preserved the win
Le Tissier (7) – Excellent assist, solid defensively
Williamson (7) – Goal and leadership, but costly error
Clinton (8) – MOTM performance, constant threat
Kgatlana (9) – Terrified England’s defense all night
South Africa’s second-half resurgence exposed England’s defensive vulnerabilities
Looking Ahead: Crucial Tests Before Euros
Wiegman acknowledged the mixed performance, telling Crickex: “We have more questions than answers right now. These friendlies are about learning, and we saw both positives and areas needing improvement today.”
The Lionesses face sterner tests in November against:
- USA (November 30) – World Cup contenders
- Switzerland (December 3) – Improving European side
These matches represent England’s final chances to refine tactics before Euro 2025 qualifying begins. While the South Africa victory provides a morale boost, Crickex experts agree significant improvements are needed if England are to challenge for major honors next summer.
Final Verdict: Progress Made, But Road Ahead Remains Long
England’s 2-1 victory over South Africa provided glimpses of promise but also served as a reality check. While Clinton’s emergence as a genuine midfield option and Williamson’s leadership were positives, defensive frailties that emerged against Germany persisted.
As Wiegman continues her squad evaluation, Crickex will be tracking whether England can address these issues before facing world-class opposition next month. One thing is certain – the road to Euro 2025 success remains under construction, and performances must improve significantly to satisfy England’s ambitious supporters.
