It was a return to familiar surroundings for Sarina Wiegman, but one that ended with an unfamiliar outcome. England had lost just once in their 31 competitive games under the Dutchwoman heading into this clash.
It’s now two losses in 32 after the Lionesses slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against the Netherlands.
There was no dream homecoming for Wiegman. Instead, large parts of England’s display proved to be something of a nightmare.
It was one-way traffic in the opening stages and the hosts took a deserved lead through Lieke Martens.
While it was an excellent finish from Martens, replays showed that Danielle van de Donk was clearly off-side in the build-up. With no VAR in operation, the goal stood.
Renate Jansen’s late goal meant there was no fairytale homecoming for Sarina Wiegman
Jansen’s superb strike sparked wild celebrations from the Dutch players as they won 2-1
The Lionesses looked to be heading for a draw after Alessia Russo’s 64th minute equaliser
But goals from Lieke Martens (right) and Jansen were enough to give the Netherlands the win
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England improved after the break and drew level through Alessia Russo’s well-taken strike.
But still the Lionesses gave the ball away too easily and they were made to pay for it when substitute Renate Jansen raced through on goal and fired past Mary Earps to secure all three points.
‘The result is tough to take. It’s hard to take especially because it was so unnecessary,’ said Wiegman. ‘In the last minute we really gave it away and that’s the most disappointing thing.’
It was a deserved win for the Netherlands and one which was made even more impressive given they slipped to a shock 2-1 defeat to Belgium in their Nations League opener last week.
England narrowly won their first game against Scotland but started where they left off from with an equally disjointed display in the opening stages.
They allowed the Netherlands to grow in confidence from the off. Some clever one and two-touch play left England chasing shadows.
Cries of ‘Get hold of it’ were loud and clear from the Lionesses players when Lauren Hemp failed to bring a quick free-kick under control. In truth, that directive could have been directed at any of England’s midfield or attacking players in the first-half.
You could see the opener coming from a mile off and it was England’s profligacy which led to it.
First, Millie Bright dawdled on the ball in her own box and saw her deflected pass fall fortuitously to Georgia Stanway.
Martens celebrates with her Netherlands team-mates after curling in the opening goal
The Lionesses got themselves back into the match after Russo pulled Wiegman’s side level
But Stanway replicated her captain’s mistake, seeing her pass closed down and falling into the path of Van de Donk. She laid the ball off to Martens and although it looked as though the chance had passed, Martens managed to bend the ball brilliantly into the top corner past Mary Earps.
The use of VAR is at the hosts’ discretion in the group stages of this competition. With no technology on-hand to help referee Ivana Martincic see that Van de Donk was clearly in an off-side position when she received the ball, the goal stood.
‘I think we push the level of the game to be so high and professional, yet we sometimes have VAR, sometimes we don’t,’ said Bright. ‘There is no consistency. But, by no means is that an excuse. We put ourselves in that position – not clearing the ball, not getting out of pressure.
‘This is international football and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game, which is mind-blowing.’
Netherlands goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar had been a bystander for much of the first-half but was forced into a smart double-save, first from Lauren Hemp and then from Ella Toone.
At the other end and on the stroke of half time, Lineth Beerensteyn was the width of the woodwork away from doubling the Netherlands’ lead. She showed great strength to hold off Jess Carter before seeing her effort deflected onto the bar.
Wiegman’s tactical switch to a back four at the break at least gave England some stability in the second-half. Substitute Chloe Kelly found herself straight in on the action, laying it on a plate for Hemp, who was bravely denied at point-blank range by Van Domselaar. Then Hemp nearly turned provider as first Alessia Russo and then Kelly were denied in quick succession by the hosts.
It was a disappointing return to the Netherlands for England’s Dutch manager Wiegman (left)
England have lacked fluency since returning from the disappointment of losing the World Cup final
Suddenly the team being cheered on by a sea of orange looked to be the ones navigating choppy waters. Russo hardly had a kick in the first-half but on her return to the side she drew England level.
When Stanway’s blocked pass fell behind Russo, England’s chance looked to have gone. But Russo showed why so many clubs were after her signature this summer, improvising brilliantly to take the ball on the swivel and finally end Van Domselaar’s resistance.
It looked to have rescued a point for the visitors right up until the clock struck 90, when Earps was beaten for a second time.
Alex Greenwood gifted possession away and substitute Renate Jansen raced through on goal. She applied the finishing touch to seal the win.