Leah Williamson, a centre-back for Arsenal, expressed emotional overwhelming as she saw her mom during the national anthem before her first start for the Lionesses in a year. She made her long-awaited England return in a game against the Republic of Ireland where the Lionesses won 2-0, thanks to goals from Lauren James and Alex Greenwood. Despite missing an early penalty, England kept a clean sheet, with Williamson having a key role in maintaining the defensive line. Her return to the starting XI for England was a significant milestone following an ACL injury that had kept her out of the Women’s World Cup campaign.
Williamson’s performance on the pitch was commended by England manager Sarina Wiegman, who praised her for her alertness, passing, and duels won. Williamson expressed her love for playing for England, stating that wearing the badge made her feel stronger and taller. Reflecting on her journey back to the England squad after the injury, she highlighted the high standards of play within the team that motivated her to work hard and reach the level required to represent her country again. The emotions of the moment were evident for Williamson as she shared that seeing her mom during the national anthem was a particularly emotional moment for her.
The win against the Republic of Ireland was crucial for England, as it marked their first victory in the Euro 2025 qualification campaign after drawing with Sweden in their opening game. France leads the group, with England looking to improve in the upcoming matches. Williamson acknowledged that the team had room for improvement but expressed confidence that they would get better as they progress through the qualifiers. The performance against Ireland showed resilience and character, and Wiegman was pleased with the team’s overall effort.
The miss of the second penalty by Greenwood left the door slightly ajar for Ireland to challenge England in the final minutes of the game, where the hosts put pressure on the English defense with shots on goal. Williamson’s presence and leadership at the back were essential in keeping a clean sheet and repelling the Irish attacks. Her composed play and distribution from the center of defense contributed to England’s defensive stability, an aspect that had been lacking in her absence due to injury.
Returning to the national team after a significant injury layoff, Williamson’s determination and commitment to regaining her place in the England squad were evident in her performance on the pitch. The emotions of the occasion, combined with her technical ability and defensive prowess, demonstrated her value to the team. As England looks ahead to upcoming matches in the Euro 2025 qualifiers, Williamson’s comeback provides a boost to the squad and will be vital in their quest to secure a spot in the tournament. Her journey back to the starting lineup highlights her resilience and dedication to representing her country at the highest level.
