'Devastated': Olympic Games hopes of England's women footballers dashed despite 6-0 win
The Olympic Games qualification hopes of England's women footballers are over.
That's the case after England failed to top its group in the UEFA Women's Nations League, the competition deciding which European teams will compete at Paris 2024.
The English belted Scotland 6-0 on Wednesday morning (AEDT), but their Olympic Games hopes were dashed after the Netherlands scored two injury-time goals against Belgium to ensure they finished atop the group.
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It means England has not progressed to the semi-finals of the Women's Nations League and, therefore, Great Britain will not contest Paris 2024.
On the contrary, the Matildas, whose World Cup title hopes were ended by England in August, are continuing to dream of Paris 2024 as they hone in on February's qualifiers against Uzbekistan.
"We thought we'd got over the line but it wasn't to be," said England forward Beth Mead.
"We're devastated. We did everything we possibly could on the pitch. It's a tough one. The girls have worked incredibly hard. We let ourselves down maybe earlier in the competition."
England's Olympic Games qualification dream has been dashed. Getty Images
England manager Sarina Wiegman said she was "proud" of her team but "gutted".
"We scored six goals, and we were so close," Wiegman said.
"In the dying seconds the Netherlands scored a goal. You can't control that."
France, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain have progressed to the semi-finals of the Women's Nations League.
The two teams that contest the final will qualify for the Olympics. France is guaranteed a Paris 2024 spot, being the host nation. If the French qualify for the Women's Nations League final, the third-placed team will fill the remaining slot.
The lead-up to the England-Scotland match was marred by accusations of Scottish players planning on going easy because a heavy loss would boost Scotland's chances of appearing at the Olympics. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combine for a Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the Olympics.
Scotland captain Rachel Corsie said those claims were "disrespectful" and "outrageous", while England defender Lucy Bronze described that talk as "the rudest thing ever".
Canada won gold in women's football at Tokyo 2020.
