This Saturday, a sold-out Wembley Stadium will host a fascinating international friendly as the England women's football team prepares to face China. Marketed as a clash of continental champions, the match pits the reigning European Champions against the holders of the Asian Cup, but the two nations find themselves on very different paths.
A World Cup Legacy and a New Test
The last encounter between these teams was a definitive moment at the 2023 Women's World Cup. England secured a stunning 6-1 victory in Adelaide, a result that not only highlighted the growing gap between the sides but also showcased manager Sarina Wiegman's tactical bravery. Forced to rejig her side due to an injury to key midfielder Keira Walsh, Wiegman switched to a 3-5-2 formation, a move that ultimately kick-started the Lionesses' campaign and propelled them to the final.
While England soared, China exited the tournament with their worst-ever finish. Much has changed since that day. England have since reverted to their trusted 4-3-3 system to win a second consecutive European title last summer, with Walsh firmly back as the metronome at the heart of their midfield.
New Responsibilities for Keira Walsh
For this Wembley fixture, Walsh steps into a significantly expanded role. With regular captain Leah Williamson sidelined by injury, the 28-year-old will lead the team out onto the hallowed turf. Walsh has openly acknowledged the adjustment required, stating she is a quieter leader than Williamson.
"I'm probably a little bit quieter than Leah, especially off the pitch," Walsh said. "I just try and lead in how I play and my consistency... and just try and show the younger girls that way." Her performance and leadership will be crucial as England navigates a period of transition.
Defensive Flux and Chinese Rebuild
Wiegman faces a fresh challenge in defence, having to name a backline without any of her established central defenders: Williamson, Jess Carter, Alex Greenwood, and Millie Bright are all absent. This provides an opportunity to test new combinations and offer valuable experience to younger players, though it carries risk.
This is particularly true against a China women's football team boasting attacking threats like Wang Shuang, their 30-year-old top scorer, and Tang Jiali. However, China are in a significant rebuilding phase under new manager Ante Milicic, who took over in May 2024 after the team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Milicic is tasked with regenerating an ageing squad and implementing a new style. Traditionally a disciplined, structured side that excels on the counter-attack, China will pose a specific tactical puzzle that England have sometimes struggled with in the past.
Wiegman acknowledged the unique challenge, saying, "We want to play countries from other continents because they challenge us in different ways... We expect that they will try to challenge us in their tactics."
While this friendly's result is secondary, it offers both managers a vital benchmark. With England beginning their 2027 World Cup qualification campaign in the spring and China defending their Asian Cup title in March, the lessons learned at a packed Wembley will be invaluable for the challenges that lie ahead.
