England ahead Beth Mead says she is embracing her new function as an impression substitute forward of the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 showdown with Italy on Tuesday.
Mead, who was the Golden Boot winner and named participant of the event when England gained the event in 2022, has began only one recreation thus far in Switzerland, discovering the web within the 6-1 win over Wales of their closing Group D recreation.
England emerged victorious of their quarter-final conflict in opposition to Sweden courtesy of a penalty shoot-out on the finish of what was an exciting encounter in Zurich.
Sarina Wiegman’s facet got here from two targets down to attract stage earlier than happening 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 start out matches this summer season restricted.
As the Lionesses put together to attempt to attain a third-straight event closing, Mead acknowledges that her function within the squad has modified.
“You’ve obtained to be prepared to enter the second,” Mead stated in an interview with BBC Sport.
“You’ve obtained to be prepared to enter a place that you just 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 couple of occasions within the recreation and I liked it.
“I really like being on the pitch, I really 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.
“You must count on the surprising and be prepared to do what it’s essential to do for the group and the larger good.”
Mead embracing a “shift of my function” within the squad
Following the Lionesses’ triumph at Wembley three years in the past, Mead was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and got here runner-up within the Ballon d’Or and Uefa Player of the Year Awards that 12 months.
The 30-year-old Arsenal participant missed the World Cup in 2023 by way of damage, a marketing campaign that noticed England go all the best way to the ultimate the place they have been overwhelmed by Spain.
And whereas she admitted the diminished taking part in time was powerful, she insists doing what’s greatest for the group stays her precedence.
“It’s not straightforward when you realize you’re not beginning and also you’re taking part in effectively or no matter however I believe 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 will determine it out.
“That’s one thing that I’ve additionally seen as a shift of my function. I actually know the way necessary that’s – from being a starter to being aggressive in coaching – to make us higher. So far I believe we’re doing an excellent job of that.”
