Sarina Weigman’s tactics were criticised (Credits: Keith McInnes/SPP/Shutterstock)
Ex-England star Fara Williams was critical of Sarina Weigman after the Lionesses defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, and says the Dutchwoman’s tactics were ‘completely wrong’.
Spain ran out deserved winners in Sydney after a first-half strike from Olga Carmona, when she drilled a sensational strike past Mary Earps.
The Spanish had several chances to double their lead before the interval and they hit the post through Salma Paralluelo on the stroke of half-time.
England improved in the second half as they moved from a 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3, introducing Lauren James and Chloe Kelly with Alessia Russo and Rachel Daly making way.
The Lionesses improved significantly after the break but it was too little, too late as Spain had already gained the lead and could afford to play on the counter-attack.
Spain were deserved winners in Sydney (Picture: Getty)
And Williams, who made 140 appearances for her country, says Weigman’s tactics cost England in the first half.
‘I think it was lost in the first half,’ Williams told the BBC.
‘I think tactically we got it completely wrong against a dominant Spanish team in terms of their possession. We were too high down our right-hand side in terms of our press and it ended up the goal comingdown our right-hand side. We were over-aggressive in those areas. We got hurt down the right-hand side.
‘I thought we’d be a bit more…sat in deep and be compact. This Spanish team is exceptional with the ball and we saw that. Their rotation really hurt us. We had centre-halves going all the way to the opposition box and that left us vulnerable to counter-attacks.
‘It proved costly when Lucy gave the ball away and we conceded down that left-hand side but look, take nothing away from this Spanish side they were the better team over the 90 minutes. I’m sure Sarina and the players will learn from this experience and bounce back. They’re a young team, with plenty of talent and a lot more to come.’
MORE : Mary Earps wins Women’s World Cup Golden Glove award after England’s defeat to Spain in final
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