Wiegman vows tweaks after Brazil upends Lionesses in Manchester friendly

Oct, 26 2025

When Sarina Wiegman, England women's head coach The Football Association watched her Lionesses fall 1‑2 to Brazil women's national team on Saturday, October 25, 2025, she knew exactly what needed fixing. The match, held at a Manchester venue, was England’s first outing since lifting the Euro 2025 trophy in Basel, and the narrow loss nudged the squad back to the drawing board ahead of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Background: Wiegman’s historic rise

Wiegman entered the England job in September 2021 after a glittering spell with her native Netherlands, where she captured the Euro 2017 crown. In Switzerland this summer she became the first manager ever to defend the European title, beating Spain in the Euro 2025 final Euro 2025Basel, Switzerland. That achievement added a fifth consecutive major‑tournament final to her résumé – a streak that began with Euro 2017 and includes the 2019 World Cup with the Dutch.

Her record with England reads 71 games, 50 wins, 12 draws and 9 defeats. Those numbers sit atop a trophy cabinet that now holds two European crowns and a World Cup semi‑final appearance from 2023. The Manchester friendly, however, reminded everyone that even dynasties need course corrections.

Match recap: Brazil’s late strike

England started brightly, pressing high and creating several early chances. Forward Georgia Stanway earned a header that rattled the crossbar in the 15th minute. Brazil’s midfield, orchestrated by captain Marta Vieira da Silva, settled into a compact block, frustrating the Lionesses’ usual rhythm.

It wasn’t until the 68th minute that Brazil broke the deadlock – a swift counter‑attack finished by Gabi Zanotti. England equalised eight minutes later through a low drive from Ellen White, but the momentum had shifted. A decisive goal in the 84th minute, a curling effort from the edge of the box by Michele Sarmiento, sealed the win for Brazil.

Coach Wiegman’s reaction: “No doubt on how we can improve”

In a post‑match interview streamed on the England Football website, Wiegman said, “The narrow reverse against Brazil left me in no doubt on how the Lionesses can improve.” She highlighted three areas: defensive transitions, midfield spacing, and set‑piece organisation. “We need to tighten the space when we lose the ball, especially against teams that attack quickly on the break,” she explained.

Wiegman’s candid assessment follows a pre‑match press conference on Friday, October 24, 2025, where she and defender Alex Greenwood discussed the right‑back slot. Greenwood had noted, “She’s most likely to play right back, but she can also slot in at right centre‑back and does a real good job for Manchester United and us too.” The coach confirmed the venue in Manchester, promising a “good test” for the squad.

Player perspectives: Stanway, Baggaley and others speak out

Georgia Stanway, visibly exhausted, described the contest as “a really, really tough game.” She praised Brazil’s discipline while urging her teammates to “learn from this and get back stronger.” Goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley, who earned her first call‑up for the friendly, admitted the defensive lapses left her exposed, “I felt the pressure in the second half and we need better communication on set‑pieces.”

Defender Leah Wubben‑Moy, who withdrew from the squad due to a minor injury, was mentioned in the squad update released on October 24. Her absence forced Greenwood to shift roles, a tactical tweak that Wiegman believes will inform future selections.

Implications for the 2027 World Cup

The loss arrives just a day before the one‑year‑anniversary of Wiegman’s birthday, but more importantly it marks a key checkpoint in England’s preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World CupAustralia and New Zealand. Greenwood, who featured in the match, reminded reporters that the tournament is “still two years away, give or take,” yet the experience of a loss can sharpen mental resilience.

Wiegman’s philosophy, often summarised as “bring people together in the best possible way,” will likely see her squad focusing on transitional drills and defensive cohesion during the upcoming training camp at St. George’s Park. Analysts predict a tighter back line in the next friendly against the Netherlands, scheduled for early November.

Looking ahead: Next steps for the Lionesses

England’s next fixture is a friendly against the Netherlands on November 5, 2025, hosted at the same Manchester stadium. The coaching staff has earmarked a “focused session on pressing triggers” and a “set‑piece specialist workshop” for the week leading up to that match.

Fans can expect a refreshed lineup, with Greenwood potentially moving to a right‑back role permanently, and Baggaley competing for the starting goalkeeper spot. As Wiegman put it, “If we perform at our highest level, the chance of winning is the highest possible.” The defeat to Brazil, while a sting, may just be the catalyst that pushes the Lionesses back onto a winning trajectory ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Key facts

• Match: England Lionesses 1‑2 Brazil (Manchester, 25 Oct 2025)
• Goal scorers: Gabi Zanotti, Michele Sarmiento (Brazil); Ellen White (England)
• Coach: Sarina Wiegman – 71 games, 50 wins
• Upcoming fixtures: vs. Netherlands (5 Nov 2025), World Cup qualifiers early 2026
• Long‑term goal: Build a squad for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup