England are heading to the Sunshine Coast in July for a World Cup warm-up camp, but this defeat by Australia in the lashing rain at Brentford could prove to be their most valuable preparation.
The Lionesses' 30-game unbeaten is over and they have been beaten for the first time under Sarina Wiegman.
England have enjoyed remarkable success since Wiegman was hired and they will head to this summer's World Cup as one of the favourites to go all the way.
But there is a target on the Lionesses' backs after winning the European Championship last year and Australia produced a performance that many sides will look to replicate at this summer's finals.
They were disciplined and organised, packing the midfield and hitting England on the counter. Australia had just 29 per cent possession and two shots on target, but scored with both.
There was a hint of fortune about their goals, but Wiegman will still not be happy about conceding twice for the first time in her tenure.
Sam Kerr opened the scoring in the first half by pouncing on a weak header by Leah Williamson back to goalkeeper Mary Earps. Kerr looked offside but, with no VAR in use, the goal stood.
Australia's second arrived midway through the second half, with Charlotte Grant's header taking a deflection off Williamson to find the net.
If the visitors were ruthless, the Lionesses were toothless. They created very little going forward and Lauren Hemp was their best attacker, despite going off before the half-hour mark after struggling with a nose injury sustained in the win over Brazil last week.
This was as good a time as any for England to have a blip under Wiegman but, as she stressed last night, the squad must learn from it.
This result has not so much been in the post for the Lionesses, however there have been warning signs that sides can enjoy success against them if they sit deep. The Czech Republic held England to a draw last year and Brazil fought back last week before losing on penalties.
"We play against some opponents now that drop a little deeper, are really tight," said Wiegman (right, last night). "So we have to find solutions and find a way to create more to score goals."
England's answer in the past has been to call upon their bench to change the game. During their march to winning Euro 2022, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone scored seven goals coming on as substitutes.
They were big goals, too, with Toone scoring a late equaliser against Spain in the quarter-finals and England's opener in the final. Kelly scored the winner in the final.
All three of those 'super subs' started against Australia, with England's squad depth impacted by injuries and the retirement of Ellen White and Jill Scott.
Wiegman will need more solutions now, as in the second half against Brazil, and last night it felt like there was no way of getting midfielder Keira Walsh into the game when she was being swamped by the opposition. Some of that is down to personnel, and it should not be overlooked that Alex Greenwood, Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and Millie Bright were all missing last night due to injury.
Wiegman insisted afterwards she was not worried, even though England could face Australia in the last-16 at the World Cup. The head coach wanted to learn about her players in this final game before she announces her squad for the finals — and she got her wish.
It would be foolish not to back Wiegman to find the answers when everything she has touched has turned to gold since being hired by England. Last night, however, was a wake-up call and a reminder of the challenge the Lionesses face if they want to win their first Women's World Cup.
Key questions for Wiegman
Who are the 'super subs' going to be?
A key part of England's success at Euro 2022 was the impact of players off the bench. Substitutes Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Ella Toone scored seven of the Lionesses' 22 goals during the tournament, but since the Euros they have been promoted to starters. That has led to a drop-off in goals off the bench, with just five of England's 32 coming from substitutes in their 11 games post-Euro 2022. Beth Mead and Fran Kirby are both major injury doubts for the World Cup, which has weakened England's firepower off the bench.
Who plays in midfield if injuries hit?
In six of the 11 games since the Euros, Wiegman has played the trio of Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh (left) and Toone in midfield. Kirby, when fit, has provided another option, but other than that England have hardly experimented. Laura Coombs and Jess Park have been given just one start each, with Lauren James and Leah Williamson also trialled there for a solitary game. If one of Stanway, Toone or Walsh gets injured, Wiegman will have a serious headache.
Who will replace Ellen White?
With record goalscorer Ellen White now retired, England need a new No9. Both Russo and Rachel Daly have been given chances and it is tough to call who will get the nod. Russo has scored three goals since the Euros, while Daly has managed five. Russo is the current favourite to start given her hold-up play, but Daly is the highest-scoring English player in this season's Women's Super League.
