That first penalty from Greenwood was awarded after a clear handball by Ruesha Littlejohn, On the half-hour mark, England were given a second penalty – this time when the ball struck Quinn’s highly-raised arm, much to the hosts’ frustration – but Greenwood’s second spot-kick hit the inside of the post and missed.
Unusually for Wiegman in a competitive game, she had made five changes to her starting side, bringing in Hannah Hampton to start in goal instead of established number one Mary Earps. Williamson, who had not played for her country for two days short of one full year because of injury, was visibly emotional about her return during the anthems and produced a strong display. Jess Park, Ella Toone and Jess Carter also came into the side.
Wiegman has luxury of two ‘incredibly good goalkeepers’
On her decision to start Hampton instead of Fifa Best Goalkeeper award winner Earps, Wiegman said: “We have in Hannah as well as Mary two incredibly good goalkeepers so that’s a really luxury position we’re in.
“Mary has been really consistent with us, again on Friday she was really good and important for the team, [but] Hannah is also competing and really improved a lot. I felt this was a game to give her an opportunity to play – I have to trust she can do a good job. And we also know if something happens with Mary we have two goalkeepers and then a third [Khiara Keating] in the squad.”
Asked how Earps had reacted to being dropped to the bench, Wiegman added: “Of course she was disappointed because she wants to play. She has been so good for us and very consistent. Yes, she was disappointed, we had that conversation. Then she just showed up and moved on.”
England’s next move will be to try to beat France at St James’ Park on Friday, May 31, and Williamson vowed that the Lionesses will improve for that match. Wiegman added: “We know they [France] are top level so yes, we have to be at our top level. We have to improve all the time, first of all because we want to improve. Secondly, because if you want to stay at the top, then it’s necessary to develop. Yes, we demand that from ourselves too.”
Match details
Republic of Ireland (5-4-1): Brosnan 6; Mannion 7, Hayes 6, Louise Quinn 6, Patten 5, McCabe 6; Payne 5 (Kiernan 7, 61), O’Sullivan 6, Littlejohn 6 (Connolly 6, 45), Lucy Quinn 5 (Campbell 6, 61); Carusa 5 (Murphy 7, 67)
Subs not used: Stapleton, Caldwell, Barrett, Moloney (gk), Agg, Toland, Murphy, Atkinson, Whitehouse (gk)
Yellow cards: McCabe
England (4-3-3): Hampton 7; Bronze 7, Williamson 7, Greenwood 8, Carter 6; Park 6 (Kirby 6, 56), Walsh 9, Toone 6 (Stanway 7, 75); James 6 (Kelly 5, 86) Russo 6, (Daly 5, 86), Hemp 6 (Mead 6, 56)
Subs not used: Charles, Earps (gk), Wubben-Moy, Clinton, Rendell (gk), Morgan, Turner
Yellow cards: None
Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)
Attendance: 32,742
