Another meeting with Spain brought a very different outcome for Lucy Bronze. For England’s game-changing, talismanic right-back, the World Cup final defeat in Sydney was cruel for two reasons. Olga Carmona’s winning goal came at Bronze’s expense, after being caught venturing up-field. Bronze will be 35 by the time of the next World Cup in 2027. It was not unreasonable to wonder if that had been her final chance.
But at Wembley, as England triumphed against the world champions, Bronze’s display underlined that she remains as important to the Lionesses as ever. That may be an obvious point, given Bronze’s illustrious career as a five-time Champions League winner and former world player of the year, but Sarina Wiegman has considered Bronze’s role, adjusted it slightly, and concluded that it is fundamental to the tactical versatility she demands from her side.
