England women fourth in football World Cup

THE ENGLAND Women’s Football Team has finished in fourth place in the Women’s World Cup. It was a tournament that promised so much and ended well, but without a medal.

England were not at their best in the first half – perhaps it was hard to get into the third place play-off after the disappointment of missing out on the final. Sweden drew two ahead, with goals from Kosovare Asllani and Sofia Jakobsson.

England rallied and Fran Kirby pulled one back, but what had looked to be an equaliser from Ellen White was disallowed for a handball ruling. The teams went in at half-time with Sweden ahead.

There it stayed. England played better in the second half, but Sweden defended well. The Scandinavians owed much to plucky defender Nilla Fischer, who dropped back to cover the goal and ended up heading the ball off the line – denying Lucy Bronze an equaliser. In the end, Sweden held on to take the bronze medal.

England will be disappointed to finish fourth, having come home from Canada four years ago with a bronze medal. Pat Neville – usually so level-headed, but whose strange statement that losing the semi-final would be failure – will be disappointed with the outcome too.

However, fourth is still a high place for an England team, female or male. The England women’s team has inspired many girls in the UK to try the sport and maybe dream of similar success. It has achieved amazing TV viewing figures that would have been unimaginable four years ago.

For the players, it’s back to the UK – for a short break before the League season starts. Let’s see what the viewing figures for that are. There are more international matches to come, too: the Olympics next summer in Tokyo, and the 2021 European Championships (which will take place in England).

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