England's Wiegman Urges Tactical Precision and Patience Against Resilient Iceland
Sarina Wiegman insists that England must reach their 'top level' to overcome Iceland in a World Cup qualifier. Despite a strong win against Ukraine, Wiegman warns her team to stay patient against a 'hard to break down' Icelandic side.
Sarina Wiegman has demanded that England hit their "top level" to overcome Iceland side in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier. Despite a recent clinical display against Ukraine, the Lionesses boss has urged her players to maintain tactical discipline and emotional control at a sold-out City Ground.England enter Saturday's clash in high spirits following a dominant 6-1 victory over Ukraine. However, Wiegman is wary of the threat posed by a physical Iceland team known for their defensive resilience. The head coach is determined to ensure her side avoid the trap of complacency after their recent scoring spree.The Lionesses face a different tactical challenge in Nottingham, where the visitors are expected to sit deep and frustrate the hosts. Wiegman believes that the key to victory lies in her team's ability to stick to the game plan and wait for the right openings rather than forcing individual solutions.Addressing the media on Friday, Wiegman emphasised the importance of mental fortitude. "It's very important. That's what we showed on Tuesday," said Wiegman. "Of course we wanted to score goals in the first half and we did have some opportunities, but the team showed that we could do better."The Dutch coach credited her squad's maturity for their ability to break down defensive units without panicking. "We stuck with the plan and everyone kept doing their tasks together. We didn't start doing things on our own because that doesn't help in those moments," Wiegman explained. "We just stayed calm and kept doing our task and got some opportunity up front. It is about managing the game too and that comes with a lot of experience."Looking ahead to this weekend's game, she added: "They are a very strong team," Wiegman said of Iceland. "They are very disciplined, very physical and very direct, with a lot of pace. "We have seen some of their earlier performances, specifically against Spain. We think we will have the ball a lot but it will also be very hard to break down their defence... We know it is going to be a very tough game tomorrow. They are tough to beat and we will have to be at our top level." Forward Alessia Russo, who was instrumental in the midweek win, believes England's persistence will eventually wear down any opponent. "We knew we were dominating the ball, we wanted to be ruthless in the final third," Russo told BBC 5 Live. "They [Ukraine] also defended well, then the spaces opened up. Scoring early in the second half was important."Russo highlighted that the timing of the breakthrough is less important than the quality of the performance. "As long as we are doing our job with our counter-pressure and creating the chances, that breeds confidence. If the goal comes in the first 10 minutes or last 10, that doesn't matter. We know we can change games in a matter of moments."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingEngland currently top Group C of the 2027 Women's World Cup qualifiers with three points from one match, ahead of Spain on goal difference. A win against Iceland would further strengthen their chances of qualifying for the tournament before a highly anticipated clash against world champions La Roja, who beat them in the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
Staying Disciplined and Patient
Sarina Wiegman, the Lionesses' head coach, emphasizes the importance of tactical discipline and patience against Iceland. Despite a recent 6-1 victory, Wiegman warns against complacency and stresses the need for emotional control.
The Challenge of Facing Iceland
Wiegman acknowledges the tactical challenge posed by Iceland, a team known for their defensive resilience. She highlights the importance of sticking to the game plan and waiting for the right openings rather than forcing individual solutions.
Mental Fortitude and Experience
Wiegman praises her squad's maturity and mental fortitude in breaking down defensive opponents. She credits the team's composure and collective effort for their ability to manage games effectively.
Forward's Perspective
Alessia Russo, a key player in England's recent victory, emphasizes the team's persistence and confidence in wearing down opponents. She highlights the importance of staying focused on performance quality rather than the timing of goals.
Group Standings and Future Prospects
England currently lead Group C in the Women's World Cup qualifiers, with a win against Iceland crucial for their progression. The upcoming match against Spain adds further anticipation, following their clash in the 2023 Women's World Cup final.



