Team GB’s women’s football team will not compete at the 2024 Olympics after England finished as runners up to the Netherlands in their Nations League group.
The Netherlands scored twice in stoppage time to beat Belgium 4-0, topping the group by virtue of goal difference and progressing to the Nations League semi-finals.
England had appeared to have leapfrogged the Netherlands by virtue of goals scored after a 6-0 win over Scotland, only for Damaris Egurrola to net in the 91st and 95th minute against Belgium.
An Alex Greenwood header, two goals from Lauren James and a Beth Mead strike — her first for England following her comeback from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury sustained in November 2022 — had given England a 4-0 half-time lead, before Fran Kirby and Lucy Bronze added a fifth and sixth in the second-half.
Netherlands had led 2-0 against Belgium heading into stoppage time thanks to a Lineth Beerensteyn brace — taking her tally to four in two games — before Egurrola’s dramatic late double.
England’s 3-2 comeback victory over the Netherlands at Wembley on Friday had kept Team GB’s Olympic hopes alive heading into the final round of Nations League group games. It left the peculiar scenario of England needing to win by three more goals than the…
