Team GB’s strongest route to qualifying for the Paris Olympics next year would involve Scotland deliberately losing to England in their upcoming Nations League match-up.
Sarina Wiegman’s side suffered a brutal night in Belgium on Tuesday evening that saw earn one of their biggest defeats under the Dutch coach.
The 3-2 loss in Leuven was further marred by Alex Greenwood’s serious head injury, which saw the Manchester City player taken off on a stretcher after a nasty collision with Jassina Blom.
The result sees England slump to third place in Group A following a patchy campaign that has seen them lose 2-1 to the Netherlands away after an opening 2-1 victory against Scotland.
But doing the double over the Auld Enemy could boost the group’s chances immensely, thanks to a bizarre quirk in qualifying.
After a dismal night in Belgium, England’s hopes of Team GB qualification looks in danger
The Lionesses will face Scotland for the second time in the Nations League in December
Team GB – a group made up of players from all four of the home nations – can qualify for a place in the 2024 Olympics based off the result of its highest-ranked side, England.
Therefore, to ensure Scottish players can compete in the French capital, Scotland may find themselves not altogether disappointed with another English victory.
Scotland currently sit bottom of Group A, with just a solitary point from their campaign thus far.
As well as beating Scotland on December 5 at Hampden Park, England will also have to beat the Netherlands when they visit Wembley four days prior.
The Lionesses will also have to hope that Belgium’s results go there way too – only if Ives Serneels side drop points against Scotland and the Netherlands will Wiegman’s players keep pace with the pack.
Should Team GB make it to Paris for next year’s Games, Wiegman is set to coach the side in a bid to improve on their record in the competition, which has only seen them go as far as the quarter-finals in 2012 and 2020.
England beat Scotland at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze (right) and Lauren Hemp
But Wiegman understands that she and her players have a lot to do before dreaming of Paris.
Speaking after the final whistle on Tuesday, the Euro 2022-winning coach said that her side had been ‘too sloppy’.
‘We were in possession so much more than they were, and we did create so many chances, but we are struggling to get the ball in the net,’ Wiegman added.
‘We have work to do.’
