Talking Tactics: Red-hot Lionesses hunt perfect Group A record

England face Northern Ireland at St Mary’s with their place as Group A winners already assured. 

The Lionesses go into tonight’s game buoyed by a record-breaking 8-0 thrashing of Norway — and will expect to make it three wins from three in Southampton. 

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, have lost their first two Women’s Euro 2022 matches and could face an uphill battle against Sarina Wiegman’s ruthless side. 

We take a look at the key talking points ahead of this final group stage fixture.

Lethal Lionesses

Having put eight past the team that were their toughest opponents on paper, England will surely be eyeing another big win against Group A’s bottom side. 

The Lionesses have had the better of Northern Ireland in their last two meetings, beating them 4-0 and 5-0 in World Cup qualifying. 

Since Wiegman took over, England have scored eight or more goals in a match six times and are now unbeaten in 16 games under her stewardship, failing to score only once in that time. 

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament and have shipped six goals already, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last eight outings.

Ringing the changes

There is a glimmer of hope for Northern Ireland, however. 

With a place in the quarter-finals secure — and top spot in the group — Wiegman could take the opportunity to hand starts to a number of squad players. 

The England manager — who will be absent from the dugout due to a positive coronavirus test — has fielded the same starting line-up in both games so far. But she is blessed with plenty of strength in depth, so may make wholesale changes.

Chance to impress

Chloe Kelly, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo have come off the bench against both Austria and Norway, so appear to be prime choices for starting spots. 

The latter scored her first goal of the tournament during the second half in Brighton and will hope to add to her tally against Northern Ireland. 

Left-back Rachel Daly was forced off injured in that match and replaced by Alex Greenwood, who is likely to feature in that position once again. 

Depending on the timescale of Daly’s return, a spot in the starting line-up for the quarter-finals — and potentially beyond — could be up for grabs, adding an extra incentive to impress.

Mead’s Golden Boot quest

Beth Mead could be forgiven for demanding a starting spot against the group's weakest team as she pursues the Golden Boot. 

However, the Arsenal forward insists that she is not concerned with personal accolades.

After scoring a hat-trick in the victory over Norway, she said: "I keep saying it, I'm really enjoying my football, I love being a part of this team. 

"Honestly, it is an incredible feeling to feel like I do right now. 

"I don't think I even dreamt of [scoring a hat-trick]. But I am just so happy that I could get the goals to help the team. It is an unbelievable night. I can't believe it. 

"I haven’t even thought about [the Golden Boot]. I just want to get the goals to help us win. 

"The girls need to enjoy this one. These are the moments we need to enjoy."

Magill missing

Northern Ireland were dealt a cruel blow in their opening game — a 4-1 defeat against Norway — as star forward Simone Magill suffered a tournament-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury. 

All-time top scorer Rachel Furness is the only squad member to have registered more international goals, so the side have been significantly blunted by her absence. 

The Green and White Army will need to be at their best against an opponent as strong as England — a task made far more difficult without Magill.

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