For a minute, it looked like they were going to do it. When Lucy Bronze scored with the last kick of the game, it seemed like England had found the magical goal they needed with the Netherlands 3-0 up against Belgium. But the slight advantage of having three extra minutes to find another ensured that Damaris Egurrola’s injury time double would send the Dutch through.
It was a frantic evening of Nations League football, and the best justification of bringing in the tournament so far. With England 4-0 up at half-time against Scotland, the Dutch knew they would have to score goals if they wanted to finish top of the group. In the end, they managed it, condemning England to a second placed finish in their group and Team GB to no summer Olympics.
There was no guarantee that progressing from the group would have landed Team GB with an Olympic place - England would have needed to win at least one more match - but the failure to make the tournament has led to a mixed reaction.
This is the first Olympics in four editions that Team GB will not have qualified for.
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