Sarina Wiegman’s unbeaten Lionesses run is over after loss against Australia

All good things must come to an end and England’s unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman is over.

After 30 games without defeat, the Lionesses were beaten on home soil by World Cup hosts Australia.

It was undoubtedly England’s worst performance to date under Wiegman. They were slow, poor in possession and careless in defence. They deserved to lose.

This performance and defeat should not cause panic, although it is a slight concern that England looked so nervous at the back without Millie Bright. They had looked unstable in their second half against Brazil and they were weak here too.

England could face Australia in the last 16 of the World Cup and on this evidence you can bet Wiegman wants to avoid that outcome.

Sam Kerr (above) opened the scoring in the first half of the game on Tuesday night

The Chelsea striker looked dangerous from the first minute of the game against England

Charlotte Grant scored Australia’s second goal of the game deflected by Leah Williamson

The manager was the picture of frustration for much of the match. Each time the TV camera panned to the lionesses’ boss, she looked more and more repulsive.

Both from the football played by her team and the gloomy weather at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium.

This was the last game before Wiegman will name her World Cup squad and she probably has more questions than answers.

She played a strong side here, with only two changes from the team that defeated Brazil.

Chloe Kelly came on for Lauren James and Esme Morgan replaced the injured Alex Greenwood at centre-back.

However, James was introduced in the 28th minute when Lauren Hemp, who was wearing a face mask after a head injury against Brazil, stated that he was unable to continue.

Players who are unsure of a place in the 23-player roster this summer, such as Katie Robinson and Laura Coombs, were not given a look.

England dominated possession in both halves, but struggled to do much with it.

Australia played at the break and it was a counter-attack that gave them the lead in the 32nd minute.

Leah Williamson tried to head a long ball back to her goalkeeper Mary Earps but got it all wrong.

Kerr was able to race between the two to tap the ball into the back of the net.

The Chelsea striker was marginally offside, but without using VAR, the goal stood. It was a defensive disaster.

This was the first time England had lost going into half-time.

Wiegman may not look like a manager who can give the ‘blow-dry’ treatment, but a former Dutch player said her eyes could ‘spit fire’ and it’s doubtful she would have been impressed by England’s performance in that first 45 minutes.

Whatever she said had little effect.

It was Australia that looked more likely to score and Kerr should have made it 2-0 but shot an attempt wide with the outside of her boot.

Kerr was taken off injured in the last few minutes of the game, but Emma Hayes – who was on commentary – said he would be fine and nothing was wrong.

England look devastated – not having seen such a game under Wiegman

Meanwhile, Australia was thrilled with the result after their impressive performance

England almost got a goal gift when Clare Hunt cut James’ cross into the side net.

James then forced a good save from Mackenzie Arnold with a low shot into the right corner.

But England were again undone on the counter-attack when a cross from the right singled out Charlotte Grant into the penalty area and her header hit Williamson’s midriff and bounced past a tricked Earps.

It was poor defending again and as the camera panned to Wiegman she looked even more frustrated.

To sum up England’s evening, Rachel Daly headed wide when she should have found the net.