SOUTHAMPTON, England -- After their 8-0 hammering of Norway, it was always going to be interesting to see what Sarina Wiegman did with England coming into their final group stage match against lowest-ranked side Northern Ireland. Wiegman is usually consistent with her starting XI, but there was the question of whether, with a spot into the quarterfinals already booked, she would rest certain players to give others in the squad more minutes.
Despite a COVID-19 diagnosis keeping her off the bench for Friday's game, Wiegman's touch was obvious within the squad, which once again remained unchanged. Why, after all, would she change it when, regardless of the stakes, the squad are purring along so well as a collective?