Wiegman plays down talk of England being world’s best side despite USA win

Sarina Wiegman played down talk of England being the best team in the world after beating the reigning world champions, the USA.

A penalty from Georgia Stanway after Sophia Smith had cancelled out Lauren Hemp’s opener earned the European champions a 2-1 win against the team that beat them in the semi-finals of the last World Cup. “You are the best team in the world when you have won the World Cup. We haven’t,” said Wiegman. “We are in a good place, but there are so many good countries.”

The England manager did concede that her side had proved they “can beat anyone”, though. “We just have to do what we can, control, stick together and communicate with each other at all times,” she said. “We need to have the freedom to make our own choices in the game. I think we are doing well in that.”

Wiegman added: “We believe a little more. I think in the Euros we really showed we could beat anyone, but it was still very close. There is a thin line between winning and losing. We could bring on something to win against the best opponent and that’s what we showed again today, that’s what brings confidence.”

Her opposite number, Vlatko Andonovski, was more emphatic about England’s World Cup chances in Australia and New Zealand next summer. “Absolutely, I believe that,” he said when asked if England were contenders. “They have an incredible squad and they showed once again they are very good. If you give them space they have players who can make a difference. They have an incredible coach and I wouldn’t mind facing them again in the final.

“They were very well organised, physical and well coached. That’s why we came here; to experience that.”

With a number of players out injured, Andonovski’s side had a youthful look. “[We have] a fairly