England crash out in Euro semi-final
England’s dream over as Lionesses crash out to hosts
ENGLAND Women’s European Championship dreams ended in tears last night as they were crushed by hosts Holland in a shock semi- final mauling in Enschede.
The Lionesses were comfortably second best here and fell victim to goals from Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk before Millie Bright put through her own net at the death to emphasise the gulf in class.
Manager Mark Sampson, sporting red eyes himself, revealed every member of his squad had shed tears after losing out in a tournament the Lionesses knew they should have won.
England were the top-ranked team left after quarter-final exits for France and Germany but a huge chance for the nation’s first senior silverware since 1966 is now in the bin.
Sampson said: ‘ There are 24 devastated women left in our dressing room. We shed a load of tears along with the staff but I’m incredibly proud of the team.
‘A game like this is a real bitter pill to swallow because the players have given so much — I know at first hand how hard they’ve worked, what commitment they’ve made, what sacrifices they’ve made, to try and help this team do something special. But it wasn’t our night.’
An error from Fara Williams, the Lionesses record cap-holder — on her 165th and probably last appearance — set up Holland’s second goal on a harrowing night for Sampson and his team.
The Welshman had trusted the 33- year- old to replace the suspended Jill Scott, but his team were simply overwhelmed in midfield. They conceded to a Dutch cross and header in the first half and then chased the game only to be opened up by the hosts.
The Lionesses flew out of the blocks but their early spark didn’t flicker long.
Jordan Nobbs’s up-and-under from the right somehow found star striker Jodie Taylor unmarked and peeling off the back of Stephanie van der Gragt. Her first touch, though, was heavy as the ball fell and it bobbled through to the goalkeeper.
Nobbs and Fran Kirby were struggling for space as England tried to retain control but, 15 minutes in, they were already beginning to lose out in the centre of the park and Holland could hurt them out wide.
On 22 minutes, Jackie Groenen broke away out on the right and her first-time cross was too quick for Demi Stokes to cover. Miedema was in her element, dropping off a floundering Steph Houghton to send a pin-point header back across goal with Siobhan Chamberlain rooted.
It was a deserved lead, but England fought back fast having fallen behind for the first time at this tournament. The confidence from wins over France, Portugal, Spain and Scotland seemed to flow again.
First, two minutes later, a Lucy Bronze surge handed Kirby a chance inside the area but her rising shot under pressure was wayward.
Then, the frame of Sari van Veenendaal’s goal came to the rescue for the hosts when Jade Moore’s header at a corner was spooned off the line by Dutch skipper Sherida Spitse. Taylor had some hopeful penalty claims denied.
By now though, Holland were getting room to hit England on the counter. Chamberlain saved smartly from Shanice van de Sanden when England lost the ball while looking to break forward too fast.
It was a warning shot. The Lionesses were trying to take risks — then a big one went wrong.
Williams headed back towards goal but her effort was wayward and weak. Arsenal midfielder Van de Donk hared away behind Bright to beat Chamberlain and finish into the unguarded net for 2-0.
Taylor had a chance to grab a goal back but fired straight at Van Veenendaal, then White did similar. Bronze’s strong shout for a penalty was denied.
It wasn’t to be England’s night. And to seal the misery, Holland staged a 23-woman pitch invasion when Bright deflected Lieke Martens’s stoppage-time shot past her own keeper.
It might be the end of an era for some of these players, including 33-year-old legend Williams.
The younger members of the squad are already looking to the future.
‘We have put so much hard work in but fell short,’ said striker Kirby. ‘Afterwards, in the team huddle, we said let’s go and win the World Cup in France.’
England must find a way to get past the semi-final, their last stop in the two most recent major tournaments, to manage that. They fell well short here.