Long road to Wembley: key reasons behind England’s run to Euros final

The appointment of a manager of Sarina Wiegman’s pedigree has been crucial to this England team’s progression. Since arriving last autumn, she has instilled confidence in the Lionesses that has led to a 19-game unbeaten run, winning 17 and scoring 104 goals. Tactically astute and not afraid to stick to her guns, she has proven her ability to change the course of a game with a substitution. In addition, she has won this competition before, guiding her native Netherlands to the 2017 Euros title. Having the results to back up her instructions can only help in getting players on board.

Depth in a tournament is crucial and England possess this in abundance. Each of the 23 play professionally with all but one playing regularly in the Women’s Super League last season – Rachel Daly plays for Houston Dash in the US’s National Women’s Soccer League. They have spent significant time on the pitch, gaining vital experience. Wiegman rarely changes her starting lineup – she has named the same 11 for every match this tournament – but her utilisation of the bench has been key. Her finishing players play an integral role, whether making an impact in front of goal or adding cover to help them see out a game.

England are reaping the rewards of a strong youth system. Five of the Lionesses have played together since a young age. Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Ellie Roebuck and Lotte Wubben-Moy reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 Under-17 World Cup in Jordan before three of the five took home a bronze medal at the 2018 Under-20s edition, joined by Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp. Wubben-Moy missed out on that, while Toone was injured, but these tournaments have provided crucial development opportunities. There is a DNA that flows