Sarina Wiegman says she is a “little disappointed” with the Lionesses’ final game of 2022. However, insists that she will still be celebrating an undefeated year for her England women’s side.
Despite their UEFA Women’s Euro meeting ending 8-0 in the summer, England was held to a 1-1 draw by Norway at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.
Norway, who are now managed by former England caretaker Hege Riise, managed to keep an attacking England at bay. This is despite going down to 10 women in the second half. This was due to Anja Sønstevold being sent off in the 72nd after committing two fouls on Nikita Parris.

Sarina Wiegman weighs in on Lionesses draw
Speaking about the England v Norway international friendly, England boss Wiegman said, “[2022] has been very nice, although I am a little disappointed with this [game].
“But if you said this was all going to happen from last September until now I probably wouldn’t have believed you. You hope for things but what happened was really incredible,” she continued.
However, despite not being able to claim a victory over Norway, Wiegman used the match to give a couple of Young Lionesses their senior starts. This includes Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier and Brighton’s Katie Robinson.
When asked about the conceded goal, which came after a mistake from goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck, Wiegman said, “It is disappointing. It is a personal mistake but that happens sometimes and when it is the goalkeeper, it is a goal.
“It is a team thing to then try and score another goal and that is what we tried to do but it didn’t work,” she continued.
Despite the draw, however, the England Lionesses end 2022 with a 20-game unbeaten run streak.
“We take a lot from this and the overall year,” says Wiegman. “I think I am just going to toast a little bit at Christmas time and overthink it!”
Rachel Daly speaks on the Lionesses draw
Elsewhere, Lioness Rachel Daly also commented on the winning streak.
“We have ended the year with a 20-game unbeaten run and that is a credit to absolutely everybody that has been involved,” she said.
Daly, who wore the England No.9 shirt for the first time under Wiegman last night continued, “It was a special moment for me tonight, especially wearing the No.9 shirt as it was the number my dad wore when he played as well,”
The Aston Villa forward suffered the loss of her dad in September 2021. Nine days later, she was part of the England squad that won 10-0 against Luxembourg.
Despite playing forward and scoring the only England goal of the Norway game, Daly went on to replace Alex Greenwood as a defender later in the match.
Speaking about her role she said, “I am happy to play anywhere and I can’t reiterate that enough.”
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
The England v Norway match closes the curtain on a fantastic 2022 for the Lionesses. But now England women are setting their sights on the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
“There are so many things we can take from this game, getting information from this to prepare for the World Cup and this gives us so much information, we saw so many players play today and on Friday [England v Japan], which is a good thing,” says Wiegman.
When is the next England women’s match?
At the time of writing, England Lionesses’ next scheduled match before the World Cup is the 2023 Women’s Finalissima.
This will be the first edition of the intercontinental women’s football match. It will take place between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Thursday 6 April 2023.
Featured image credit: Champions Speakers