‘These are not competitive games’: Farce as international women’s football match ends 20-0

The England national team manager has questioned the value of mismatches to the development of the women's sport after her side hammered Latvia 20-0 in a World Cup Qualifier.

Four player bagged hat-tricks in the mauling at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, with Lauren Hemp leading the way with four goals. 

Chelsea's Bethany England scored twice among no fewer than 10 goalscorers in total throughout the massacre.

As was the case when Belgium hammered Armenia 19-0 last week, many were left unimpressed by the rout – including England bos Sarina Wiegman.

"You want competitive games and these are not competitive games," Wiegman said ahead of the Women's Euro 2022 next summer.

"In every country you want to develop the women's game, but I don't think it's good that the scores are so high.

"I know it has the attention of the federations and I think that's good as I don't think 20-0 is good for the development of anyone.

"We really need some top-level games now, which we're going to have [next year], because then we'll really know where we are."

Even England fans had misgivings despite the Lionesses adding to their hefty positive goal difference at the top of Group D with six wins from six. 

Sharing a screenshot of the scoreboard, one asked: "Is it actually a good result for the development of the Women's game?

"What do you really learn from a 20-0 thrashing?"

Replying to a post by a reporter, a fan said that he wasn't enjoying the action and pointed out that even "at their weakest", England's heaviest defeat was 8-0.

"This is very silly – 10 mins left and it could be 20-0," they correctly predicted as the score increased.

Some of the scorn was in response to a viral clip of Latvia 'keeper Laura Sinutkina delivering a poor goal kick.

Despite her trying to hit the ball forward, the effort flew out for a goal-kick not far from the penalty area.

"These are part-timers [and] probably stay-at-home mums," one viewer pointed out.

"Watch a Chelsea women's game or Arsenal women's game. Watch the Matildas [Australia]. You’ll see a difference.

"Based on revenue, [the] American women's national team should get equal pay."

The hero of the night, was perhaps Ellen White, whose 48 goals now make her the England women's all-time top scorer.

"It was very emotional on the pitch," said the Manchester City striker, who received a video message of congratulations from men's team captain Harry Kane, post-match.

"I feel very proud to represent my country. We have some incredibly talented players coming through, so I feel very lucky to be surrounded by them. I am very proud.

"[My team-mates] know how much it means to me, they know how much I love playing for England."