![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\nEngland suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Millie Bright said it was \u201cmind-blowing\u201d that VAR was not used in England\u2019s 2-1 Nations League defeat against the Netherlands.<\/p>\n
Lieke Martens\u2019 opener for the hosts would have been disallowed for offside if VAR had been in operation, as Danielle van de Donk took part in the build-up after returning from an offside position.<\/p>\n
But VAR is not mandatory in the Nations League group stages – it is at the discretion of the host nation – and the Lionesses also had two goals struck off for offside, neither of which could be confirmed by VAR.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the defeat England captain Bright, 30, was quoted on the BBC website as saying: \u201cThis is international football and we do not have VAR in a competitive international game, which is mind-blowing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no consistency. It is always frustrating (to not have VAR). We push the level of the game to be so high and professional, yet we sometimes have VAR, and sometimes we don\u2019t and sometimes we have goalline technology.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/26\/21\/SEI173420604.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/26\/23\/7b32c0db535efadb957165bd98aac4a5Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1ODUxMjkz-2.73083751.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/22\/09\/GettyImages-1618609923.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is really unfortunate that these are still huge decisions that are incorrect. That\u2019s where we as players have to keep speaking about it, we have to step up, and we have to demand better, and demand more.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Alessia Russo\u2019s 64th-minute equaliser, England were then punished after losing possession in the 90th minute as Alex Greenwood gave the ball away and Martens fed substitute Renate Jansen, who rifled past Mary Earps.<\/p>\n
England manager Sarina Wiegman also expressed her frustration at Netherlands\u2019 first goal with Van de Donk seemingly in an offside position before assisting Martens.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen they scored their first goal, we didn\u2019t do well, we didn\u2019t play well, but it\u2019s so obviously offside,\u201d Weigman told ITV, following only the third defeat of her 41-game England tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat needs to be seen. I think the standards of the game are getting higher and higher, so (having VAR) would absolutely help. It\u2019s just a little bit disappointing.<\/p>\n
\u201c(It is) absolutely a tough one to take and a very, very unnecessary one. The first half they were the better team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think second half we totally dominated the game, and of course we scored one goal – but before that we got lots of huge opportunities, too. It\u2019s just one moment that we don\u2019t manage the game and in the counter-attack they score for 2-1. That\u2019s very, very disappointing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The result leaves both England and Andries Jonker\u2019s Netherlands on three points in Group A1. Belgium, who England face twice in October in their next group games, lead the pool with four points after drawing 1-1 with Scotland, who have one.<\/p>\n
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/21\/12\/efb725e3819264ee418fb5bb2e254d92Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk1MzgxNTk1-2.73810513.jpg\")
\n![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2023\/09\/27\/08\/newFile-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Wiegman\u2019s side, 2-1 victors over Scotland in their opener last Friday, are attempting to secure a Paris 2024 Olympics qualification spot via this competition, and need to finish top of their group to have a chance to do so.<\/p>\n