Wiegman not feeling additional pressure as England face Wales
England hold their fate in their own hands, requiring a win against Wales to guarantee qualification for the quarter-finals of Euro 2025.
Sarina Wiegman does not believe the rivalry between England and Wales puts any additional pressure on the Lionesses ahead of their final Group D fixture at Euro 2025.
Having suffered a 2-1 loss in their opening match against France, England bounced back with a resounding 4-0 win over the Netherlands to get their tournament back on track.
That victory was Wiegman's 13th as a manager at the European Championships with the Netherlands and England, the joint-most of any coach at the tournament alongside Tina Theune.
The Lionesses currently sit second behind France in Group D, knowing a victory over Rhian Wilkinson's Dragons will secure a quarter-final place.
Wiegman told reporters on Saturday: "We have our own preparations and we know what is on the line. We will do everything to win the game and get through.
"There is always pressure on England and we will try and play a good game and hopefully we can have the ball a lot and exploit spaces.
"I hope we will see a game where we have a lot of the ball and we play very well in possession, so we don't let it become a fighting game – I am not worried about that."
England have won all three of their previous games at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) when facing a fellow home nation.
The Lionesses beat Scotland at both Euro 2017 (6-0) and the 2019 World Cup (2-1) and most recently beat Northern Ireland 5-0 at Euro 2022.
They are also unbeaten in all 10 of their meetings with Wales across all competitions (nine wins, one draw), scoring 37 times across those games and conceding just twice.
Wales – who have no points – still harbour slim hopes of making the top two, though they would need a comprehensive win over their rivals and a defeat for the Netherlands against France.
"It is a big game for them, but for us it is too," Wiegman said. "We want to win and get through the group stage. There is passion from their side but we have passion too.
"I learned about the history and the rivalry but, again, we are focused on what we want to do and how we want to play."
England have won 15 of their last 16 group-stage matches at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros), last failing to reach the knockout stages at Euro 2013.
Wales captain Angharad James says her team-mates are determined to halt England's tournament, even if their own progression is unlikely.
"The pressure is all on England. They have to perform. We believe we can upset a very top team. We are ready for the fight," James said.
"As a Welsh woman, do you want to knock England out? Of course you do. It's in our blood and in our DNA. The rivalry has always been there."
