For those who turned out in their droves at Stadium MK, this was certainly not depressing viewing. But neither was it anything remotely close to inspiring.
England won the Arnold Clark Cup twice, the European Championship and the Finalissima during their first year-and-a-half under Sarina Wiegman, not losing once despite playing all of 30 matches.
That run came to an end last time out, when the Lionesses lost to Australia in April, but they have now failed to win in 90 minutes in three successive matches after their disappointing 0-0 draw with Portugal at a sold-out Stadium MK.
England’s injury crisis is well-documented, with Fran Kirby, Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Jess Park all out of the World Cup — while Millie Bright and Jordan Nobbs are expected to be fit for the tournament but were not named in the squad for this drab goalless draw.
In the absence of both of her first-choice centre-backs, Wiegman picked Jess Carter alongside Esme Morgan. Carter was solid, but Morgan was caught too high at moments.
Morgan is an established England squad member now, but you fear she faces an uphill battle to make the starting lineup for England’s Women’s World Cup opener against Haiti in Brisbane on July 22.
In many ways, this was a tale of missed chances from England’s two strikers. It remains to be seen whether Alessia Russo or Rachel Daly is preferred up front this summer — and both had a half each here.
Daly came mightily close with a magnificently saved header inside five minutes, and her confidence after a Golden Boot-winning first WSL season with Aston Villa was palpable when she wound up for a bicycle kick which flew over.
Russo admitted the match was “frustrating.” For her it certainly was. She missed eight chances after replacing Daly at the interval. In the first and clearest of those openings, she rounded goalkeeper Ines Pereira, only for former Chelsea player Ana Borges to scramble back onto the line and block.
England need a striker who is fit and firing this summer. Daly and Russo both have goals in them, but they were both unable to strengthen their individual cases to start ahead of the other here.
Carter has deputised at left-back on occasion under Wiegman, while left-back Greenwood has played well at centre-back. Greenwood started at her nominal left-back position here and even with all of England defensive injuries, it feels as though she simply has to stay there. England have real width with her on the left flank, and her delivery is arguably wasted when she plays centrally.
Carter could become the new centre-back partner to Bright, when Bright returns from injury in what would be an all-Chelsea duo.
Keira Walsh made a few uncharacteristic unforced errors, perhaps an indication of a long and arduous season at Barcelona, while Georgia Stanway ahead of her was in superb form. She dropped her shoulder to get out of trouble and found some excellent passes. Her flat, flighted corner deliveries from both sides deserved better end product.
Out wide, even without Beth Mead to call on this summer, England are blessed with options. Lauren James again looked lively, but like so often for England and for Chelsea, her final execution left something to be deserved from such a richly talented player.
James and Hemp appear to be the favoured options on either side, but if Wiegman were picking on form she would start Chloe Kelly, who was by far the most effective of England’s substitutes.
England face Canada in an unofficial behind-closed-doors friendly once they have flown out to Australia. It is their final match before the World Cup. So many questions still hang over them. It was all just a little bit flat.
