Team GB still has a chance compete in women’s soccer at the 2024 Olympics after England’s come-from-behind 3-2 win against the Netherlands in the Nations League group stage.
The England women’s national team is seeking Olympic qualification on behalf of Team GB. The Olympic team could include players from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well, though England likely would provide most of the roster.
Those Olympic dreams almost were cut short Friday in front of a home crowd at London’s Wembley Stadium. The Netherlands took an early lead on two first-half goals from Lineth Beerensteyn.
But England tied the game in the second half with goals from Georgia Stanway and Lauren Hemp, then completed the comeback with a stoppage time strike from Ella Toone.
Now England needs to win its final group-stage match Tuesday against Scotland and either better the Netherlands in goal differential or root for a Netherlands loss or draw against Belgium to stay alive in the quest for UEFA Olympic qualification.
The Lionesses entered Friday’s match amid a run of poor form for the 2023 World Cup runners-up, as they had lost three of their last five games starting with a 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.
That stretch included a 2-1 loss to the Oranje in September. The Lionesses had allowed six goals in four Nations League matches entering Friday.
Sweden will not qualify for the Olympics after its loss Friday to Switzerland. The third-place finisher at this summer’s World Cup, Sweden has a 2-1-2 (W-D-L) record through five Nations League group-stage matches, which knocked the team out of Olympic contention.