'Unforced errors' cost England in loss to Germany

Sarina Wiegman bemoaned some of England's "unforced errors" in their 4-3 defeat to Germany at Wembley on Friday evening but said the match will serve as an important lesson for her team.

England's defensive frailties were exposed by Germany with the visitors scoring three goals in the opening 30 minutes. Giulia Gwinn scored a penalty after just three minutes after Millie Bright brought down Linda Dallmann, and she then added a neatly-taken second with a shot across Hannah Hampton's goal in the 11th minute.

Klara Bühl scored a third on 29 minutes only for Georgia Stanway to grab back two for England - her first in the 33rd minute was from the spot after a Gwinn handball, and her second came three minutes later.

Germany went 4-2 up in the 72nd minute through a Sara Däbritz penalty after Alessia Russo was penalised for a foul on Pia-Sophie Wolter. Wiegman later said she was "surprised" by that call.

Lucy Bronze grabbed a consolation for England in the 81st minute but they couldn't get a fourth. It was the first time England conceded four under Wiegman, but the coach says they will look to learn from the defeat.

"I didn't want the result, I wanted us to do a couple of things better," Wiegman said. "That was disappointing but I do think it was a high-level game where there were so many challenges for us and also for them. That's what we want at this stage. We gained so much information and shows us what we have to do better.

"We gave up a lot of chances. But we looked at how the chances developed. Most of the chances developed in transition moments. It's a team thing how we defended today [and there were] too many unforced errors and then they're gone. That's [Germany's] super strength, they have power and explosivity up front."

Wiegman opted to start Leah Williamson alongside Bright in defence, with Hampton preferred over Mary Earps in goal. Alex Greenwood was named on the bench, with Jess Carter starting at left-back while Ella Toone was named at No. 10 with Jess Park and Grace Clinton waiting on the bench.

"Ella has played well for us, these are high-level games. Grace Clinton is getting there, a different type of player -- Jess Park is doing well too. They're doing well and challenging for minutes and there's competition there".

Wiegman stood by her team selection after the match.

"I'm not going to make changes just for the sake of it," Wiegman said, adding that everything was with one eye on Euro 2025. "I'm happy with the starting lineup and the team and what we wanted is to see other players, and we did and we know there's huge competition going on and that's good for the team."

Keira Walsh agreed with her manager after the match, saying England must learn their lessons from the defeat ahead of next year's Euros.

"Rollercoaster game. It was end to end," Walsh said on ITV. "I imagine it was exciting for the fans but we are disappointed with the manner that we conceded the three quick goals. We should not be conceding in that manner.

"We did well to come back into it, they are a world-class team and I think it is clear we are both trying to figure out how we will play going into the next Euros. It is not about being ready tonight, but being ready when the tournament comes."