Hemp versatility delights Wiegman
SARINA Wiegman praised Lauren Hemp’s performance in an adjusted role after the forward’s goal helped England beat the United States 2-1 in Friday’s friendly at Wembley.
Hemp, who usually operates as a winger, was deployed as a number nine as the European champions took on the reigning World Cup holders with Ellen White having retired and Alessia Russo unavailable due to injury.
The 22-year-old Manchester City player swiftly opened the scoring, finishing from close range in the 10th minute when Beth Mead delivered the ball into the box and Alana Cook misjudged her attempt to intervene.
Lionesses’ boss Wiegman said: “Lauren has played there before, I’ve seen that. When she played at Bristol City, she played there,
“Under-20s she played in that position sometimes.
“So we knew she could do it but lately she has not played there very much. So we didn’t want to give her all sorts of tasks but we wanted to give her freedom to play and have very simple tasks.
“She really took that and really understood what we were talking about. I think she really enjoyed herself and so did we.”
Sophia Smith equalised in the 28th minute as the US punished England sloppiness at the back, Georgia Stanway dispossessed.
Stanway then quickly made amends by restoring the lead with a 33rd-minute penalty awarded after Hailie Mace’s high boot made contact with Lucy Bronze’s face.
The spot-kick was given following a AR check, and England then benefited from another shortly after as Trinity Rodman’s strike was ruled out, Smith adjudged to have been offside in the build-up.
VAR also ensured a late penalty award against England for handball with the ball having struck Hemp’s legs - was overturned as the Lionesses saw out a first win over the world’s number one team since 2017 - and one which will only add to the sense of anticipation for their campaign at next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
It was a 21st victory for England who lost 2-1 to the US in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals - in 23 matches unbeaten under Wiegman.
While the Dutchwoman stressed that “you are the best team in the world when you have won the World Cup”, she said she felt her tenure had seen the team “grow very, very much”, adding: “I think we have proved to ourselves that we can win against anyone.
“What we just have to do is what we have in control, do our jobs, do our very best and stick together.”
It was a first loss in 22 games for the US, whose boss Vlatko Andonovski said of England: “They have players who can make a difference, they have an incredible coach.
“I wouldn’t mind facing them in the final!”