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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Jonathan Gorrie

England will learn from Australia defeat as World Cup countdown begins, says Sarina Wiegman

Sarina Wiegman insists England can learn from their defeat to Australia ahead of the World Cup.

100 days before the tournament begins in Australia and New Zealand, the Lionesses were dealt their first defeat of the Wiegman era.

Goals in each half from Sam Kerr and Charlotte Grant on a rainy night in west London condemned England to a rare loss.

The Lionesses struggled to scale previous heights at Brentford’s Gtech Communiy Stadium and were lucky to come away having only lost by a two-goal margin.

It is the first major disappointment for the Dutchwoman, coming only days after watching her team win the first ever Women’s Finalissima after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Brazil.

As one of the favourites for the World Cup later this year, the loss to an Australia side recently beaten by Scotland will give tournament rivals major confidence that this England team are indeed fallible.

Speaking to ITV after the game, Wiegman said: “This is the first time we lose.

“We take lessons because also in the games we won, we see things that have gone well and we see things that we have to do better.

“We know we have to improve to be at our best in the World Cup.”

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