Wiegman praises Toone’s attitude after late Lionesses recall for Greece playoff
Sarina Wiegman praised Ella Toone for responding constructively after being omitted from England’s initial squad for their Women’s World Cup playoff against Greece. Wiegman recalled the Manchester United midfielder after Lucy Bronze withdrew with a minor injury, and said Toone’s determination to keep training and earn her way back had impressed her.
Toone, who has 69 England caps and 24 goals, including strikes in the Euro 2022 final and 2023 World Cup semi-final, had been left out alongside Chloe Kelly because Wiegman felt their on-pitch levels fell short of expectations. England play the first leg in Crete on Friday and the return in Leicester on Tuesday; to reach next summer’s finals in Brazil, they must then win another two-legged playoff in December. England finished second to Spain in qualifying despite winning five of six matches, while Greece have never qualified for a major tournament.
- Wiegman recalled Toone after Bronze’s minor injury.
- Toone responded to her initial omission by continuing to train.
- England need to win two playoff rounds to reach Brazil.
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England women's football team are competing in a playoff to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil next summer. The team faces Greece in a two-legged tie beginning with the first match in Crete on Friday, followed by a return leg in Leicester on Tuesday. To reach the finals, England must win both legs and then compete in another playoff round in December.
Ella Toone is a midfielder for Manchester United who has played 69 times for England and scored 24 goals, including important strikes in major tournament finals. Manager Sarina Wiegman initially left her out of the squad but recalled her after Lucy Bronze withdrew due to minor injury. Wiegman praised Toone's response, saying her continued dedication to training and determination to win her place back had impressed her.
England finished second to Spain in their World Cup qualifying group despite winning five of their six matches, whilst Greece have never qualified for a major tournament. The Lionesses' path to the finals in Brazil requires them to win this playoff and then succeed in another two-legged round in December, making this tie a crucial step in their qualification journey.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Wiegman's merit-based approach to selection prioritises current form and maintains rigorous standards, ensuring the squad operates at peak performance. By later recalling Toone when injury necessitated a change, she demonstrated flexibility within a meritocratic system, rewarding players who respond constructively to setbacks and preventing complacency among even established players.
The case against
In knockout football, particularly at crucial playoff stages, tournament experience and proven temperament under pressure are valuable assets that shouldn't be discounted for temporary form dips. Toone's record in major tournaments—including goals in the Euro 2022 final and World Cup semi-final—demonstrates she delivers when stakes are highest, a quality that makes her initial omission questionable, especially given she was recalled for the critical match itself.