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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>England secure Euro 2025 qualification</li><li>Clinched spot with a draw in Sweden</li><li>Lionesses boss Wiegman outlines areas to improve</li></ul>

'We need a year!' - Sarina Wiegman explains what Lionesses must improve on after securing Euro 2025 place with edgy Sweden draw

Friendlies

England

<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/england-women-player-ratings-sweden-hannah-hampton-georgia-stanway-lionesses-euro-2025/blt3b1065a47c4cb70a" target="_blank">England secured automatic qualification for next summer's tournament with a goalless draw in Sweden on Tuesday night, despite a nervy conclusion to the game.</a> The hosts needed to win to beat their opponents to a top two finish in their qualifying group but the Lionesses held on, in no small part thanks to two big saves from Hannah Hampton.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Given how tough England's qualifying group was, also featuring France and the Republic of Ireland, Wiegman revealed after the game that she was "relieved" to have got over the line without the need for play-offs, which the Lionesses would've had to play later this year had they been defeated in Gothenburg. She also explained where the team needs to improve ahead of the Euros.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

"The first half, I think we dominated, besides the last part," Wiegman told ITV. "When you play so well, you're so dominant, we have to create more chances and score goals. In the second half, we couldn't keep up that level. That's something we really want to do and now we have a year to prepare what we absolutely want to improve, keeping the level, because we had that against France too."Asked how far away this England team is from it's top level, Wiegman replied, with a laugh: "We need a year!" She then added: "I think what you see now is moments where we play really well and and we want to do that for longer and also, when the pressure goes up, they are going to press us earlier and that's what we need to learn. We have some experienced players in the team that have experienced many moments like this. It's really hard to come on the pitch, too, with the pressure they have. Now, with the friendlies, hopefully we play some very good games so that we can also like develop, we can give players minutes who are knocking on the door, of course, because we're not a playground, and then when you get that moment, of course you can take big steps."

WHAT WIEGMAN SAID

As Wiegman says, by avoiding the Euro 2025 play-offs later this year, England can now arrange friendlies that they believe will best prepare them for <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/football-came-home-wiegman-and-england-s-lionesses-win-the-women-s-euros-and-become-immortal-at-wembley/blt03e1306009078090" target="_blank">their European title defence</a>. There is space in the calendar for four games at the end of 2024.

DID YOU KNOW?

Wiegman and her staff will now focus on figuring out which opponents would be best for the Lionesses to face later this year, while the players themselves return to their respective clubs to get ready for the new season.

WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

'We need a year!' - Sarina Wiegman explains what Lionesses must improve on after securing Euro 2025 place with edgy Sweden draw | Goal.com

Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has outlined where England need to improve in order to hit the levels needed to defend their title at Euro 2025.