The Lionesses are back in action tonight with an international friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane in Sheffield. Sarina Wiegman will be hoping to get her team back to winning ways following a goalless draw against the United States last time out.
That match featured a fine performance from Mary Earps who was recalled between the sticks for a more tactically defensive outing that tested the continued development of Wiegman’s European champions ahead of their title defence next summer.
Euro 2025 will be held in Switzerland and England are getting a taste of what potentially lies ahead when they take on the tournament hosts tonight. The Swiss are bruised and battered after a 6-0 defeat to Germany were they did not manage a shot in the entire game and will be hoping for an improved performance in London.
In what has been a ‘tough year’ for the Lionesses, according to Earps, going out on a high with a win this evening will give them some momentum heading into the new year.
Follow all the action from Wembley with our live blog below as England take on Switzerland:
Swiss away form is strong
Switzerland have won three of their four away games in all competitions in 2024 (woth one defeat) after losing their final three on the road to end 2023.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:05
England unbeaten at Bramall Lane
This will be England’s fourth game at Bramall Lane, winning each of the previous three by an aggregate score of 11-0; their most recent game at the Sheffield venue came in the semi-finals of Euro 2022, beating Sweden 4-0.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 19:00
A bad omen for Switzerland
Switzerland have lost each of their three previous away games against England, losing 9-1 in April 1977, 1-0 in May 2000 and most recently 2-0 in September 2010.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:55
Who has qualified and who is in the play-offs for Euro 2025?
Here are the teams that will be playing at next summer’s tournament and will be in the draw in two weeks time:
- Switzerland (hosts)
- Spain (group winners)
- Germany (group winners)
- France (group winners)
- Italy (group winners)
- Iceland (runners-up)
- Denmark (runners-up)
- England (runners-up)
- Netherlands (runners-up)
- Portugal or Czech Republic (play-offs)
- Scotland or Finland (play-offs)
- Ukraine or Belgium (play-offs)
- Wales or Republic of Ireland (play-offs)
- Poland or Austria (play-offs)
- Northern Ireland or Norway (play-offs)
- Serbia or Sweden (play-offs)
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:50
When is Euro 2025 draw? Qualified teams, pots and how to watch
England will be out to defend their European title as the draw for Euro 2025 is made ahead of the tournament in Switzerland next summer.
The Lionesses won their first major honour on home soil when Sarina Wiegman’s team defeated Germany at Wembley in July 2022.
The Euro 2025 draw will take place on Monday 16 December at 5pm BST (time still TBC) and the draw ceremony will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 16 teams will be drawn into four groups of four. There will be a livestream on the Uefa website.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:45
England team changes
Jess Park is the only player to remain in the starting XI from the England team that lined up against the United States last weekend. Sarina Wiegman switches out 10 players with Hannah Hampton returning in goal.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:40
England line-up
Here’s how England line-up against Switzerland tonight:
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:34
Hayes on returning to England as US coach
Emma Hayes left Chelsea in the summer to take up the position of head coach of the United States Women’s National Team. She returned to England last weekend for a clash with the Lionesses which ended in a goalless draw.
Hayes said: “I give everything I possibly can for a team that I really, really enjoy coaching, and I thrive, not just under pressure, but I like these opportunities, I like being in these situations. They bring out the best in me.
“You’ve got two top teams now, Sarina is an amazing coach, I thought it was a good tactical match-up, and I just enjoy coaching a high-level football match, to be honest with you. I don’t think too much about it.”
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:30
England vs Switzerland
England are unbeaten in 11 previous meetings with Switzerland (10 wins, one draw), with the Lionesses only facing Finland (played 13, won nine, drew four) and Northern Ireland (played 12, won 12) more often without ever losing in in their entire history.
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:25
Wiegman on USA draw
Sarina Wiegman brushed aside suggestions from some pundits that her side were content to settle for a draw when they took on the United States last weekend.
She said: “I think we were really defending as a team, very strong. We got momentum in the second half, we did better, and of course both teams went for the win.
“So many things happened in this game, also in front of the goal, so I don’t think it was boring.
“We wanted to go for the win, but it was such a high-intensity game, you have to deal with a very good opponent, so you can’t just say, ‘Now we’re going to go and score that goal’.
“We tried, of course, to do that. We didn’t slow down to keep it 0-0. I think that was just how the game went.”
Mike Jones3 December 2024 18:20