A misfiring England were held to a 0-0 draw by the Czech Republic in Brighton, bringing an end to their 15-match winning run.
The Lionesses have racked up some big results under Sarina Wiegman – including an 8-0 win against Norway at the Amex Stadium during the Euros – but were unable to find a way past a stubborn Czech Republic defence on Tuesday.
It is their first goalless draw since they faced Spain in the Arnold Clark Cup in February, and although they remain unbeaten under the Dutch manager, it does bring a halt to their impressive victorious streak.
England had their chances to win it too, being guilty of some inaccurate finishing as well as facing a well-drilled Czech side. Lauren James hit the crossbar inside four minutes, before the Chelsea forward picked out Lauren Hemp later in the half, but England’s first shot on target from the latter was straight at the goalkeeper.
The two best chances of the half though came late on. Some really nice play between James and Lucy Bronze on the left saw the Barcelona right-back loft the ball into the area. Chloe Kelly met it at the back post, but just diverted her header wide.
At the other end, Mary Earps made her first save of the game. The impressive Andrea Staskova was afforded far too much space to drive into the area, scuffing her shot at the goalkeeper as Alex Greenwood slid in.
While the Czech Republic continued to look dangerous on the counter – Chelsea’s Katerina Svitkova also a menace throughout – it was England who kept seeing chances fall their way in the second half.
Shortly after the break, Bronze picked out half-time substitute Beth Mead down the right of the area, with the winger finding Hemp with her cross. However, the Man City forward could only loop it onto the top of the net.
Hemp was involved again on the hour as England were kept out quite incredibly. A ball over the top sent her away down the left, but her ball through the six-yard box pinged off the far post. Fran Kirby and Demi Stokes were both lurking for the rebound, but both saw their attempted efforts well blocked.
There was then a long stoppage around the 70-minute mark as Czech defender Gabriela Slajsova was stretchered off after catching her ankle underneath her while chasing down Hemp, later emerging towards the end of the game with the joint heavily strapped.
As Wiegman continued to introduce new players – Esme Morgan making her England debut and Ebony Salmon earning her second cap – England kept seeing chances pass them by. Kirby saw a wonderful, dipping shot pushed over the crossbar by Olivie Lukasova, before Mead sent a curling effort past the post.
The Czech Republic had a few nerve-jangling breaks of their own in a frenetic ending, and celebrated their draw against the European Champions at full time. For England though, not the result they would have wanted to end their October camp with.
What’s next?
England’s next international keep will take place next month. They will head to Murcia, Spain and play Japan on Friday November 11 before facing Norway on Tuesday 15 November. Both kick-off times are yet to be announced.