England ahead Beth Mead says she is embracing her new position as an affect substitute forward of the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 showdown with Italy on Tuesday.
Mead, who was the Golden Boot winner and named participant of the match when England gained the match in 2022, has began only one sport to date in Switzerland, discovering the web within the 6-1 win over Wales of their ultimate Group D sport.
England emerged victorious of their quarter-final conflict in opposition to Sweden courtesy of a penalty shoot-out on the finish of what was a thrilling encounter in Zurich.
Sarina Wiegman’s aspect got here from two targets down to attract degree earlier than occurring to win the shoot-out 3-2 and progress to face Italy as they give the impression of being to defend their Euros crown.
WE NEVER QUIT.
ENGLAND ARE IN THE #WEURO2025 SEMI-FINALS ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Gu8o4Vxc3Z
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 17, 2025
The match underpinned the significance of these coming off the bench and, whereas Mead has been one of many standout performers throughout Wiegman’s tenure as England supervisor, she has discovered alternatives to begin matches this summer season restricted.
Because the Lionesses put together to attempt to attain a third-straight match ultimate, Mead acknowledges that her position within the squad has modified.
“You’ve received to be prepared to enter the second,” Mead mentioned in an interview with BBC Sport.
“You’ve received to be prepared to enter a place that you simply may not wish to play or don’t usually play in and that was what was completely different for me [against Sweden].
“I ended up taking part in in midfield as a quantity six after which I used to be a quantity 10 – I modified place a number of instances within the sport and I liked it.
“I like being on the pitch, I like with the ability to do what I can do for the group however they’re the issues that you’ve to have the ability to do as a participant.
“It’s a must to count on the surprising and be keen to do what it’s essential do for the group and the better good.”
Mead embracing a “shift of my position” within the squad
Following the Lionesses’ triumph at Wembley three years in the past, Mead was named the BBC Sports activities Character of the Yr and got here runner-up within the Ballon d’Or and Uefa Participant of the Yr Awards that 12 months.
The 30-year-old Arsenal participant missed the World Cup in 2023 by harm, a marketing campaign that noticed England go all the best way to the ultimate the place they had been overwhelmed by Spain.
And whereas she admitted the diminished taking part in time was robust, she insists doing what’s greatest for the group stays her precedence.
“It’s not straightforward when you’re not beginning and also you’re taking part in effectively or no matter however I feel that’s what has set us aside as a group,” Mead added.
“The togetherness, the willingness to attempt to make one another higher, to attempt to make one another really feel like we are able to determine it out.
“That’s one thing that I’ve additionally seen as a shift of my position. I actually know the way necessary that’s – from being a starter to being aggressive in coaching – to make us higher. To date I feel we’re doing a very good job of that.”
