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Women's football: Team GB miss out on 2024 Olympics

members-of-england-football-team.Image source, Reuters
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England looked defeated after failing to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics

Team GB's hopes of competing in the women's football event at the 2024 Olympics in Paris are now over.

It's after England, who were the team nominated to represent Great Britain at the games, came second in their Women's Nations League group.

The Nations League doubled as a qualifying competition for the event, with the four winners of each group in League A - the top division - advancing to next year's finals tournament, and the two overall finalists qualifying for Paris 2024.

Image source, PA Media
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England did manage to beat Scotland 6-0, but their efforts weren't quite enough

The Lionesses beat Scotland 6-0 on Tuesday in their final Women's Nations League group match.

However, their victory wasn't enough to knock the Netherlands off the top spot in their group.

England needed to beat the Netherlands' result by three clear goals to reach the Nations League finals and keep Team GB's Olympic hopes alive.

A determined first half saw goals from Alex Greenwood, Lauren James with two and Beth Mead before Fran Kirby made it 5-0 just after the break.

However, the Netherlands went 3-0 up against Belgium during their game which meant the Lionesses needed a sixth goal to put qualification back in their sights.

Image source, EPA
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The Netherlands beat Belgium 4-0, finishing top of their group

Lucy Bronze delivered in the 93rd minute, but the Netherlands scored a dramatic fourth goal to ensure they won the group ahead of England. The Dutch finished top of their group, beating Belgium 4-0.

It means the Netherlands, France, Germany and Spain will go on to battle it out in the Nations League finals in February, with the two overall finalists qualifying for the Olympics.

However, if France, who have already qualified as hosts, end up in the final, the winner of the third-placed play-off will reach the Olympics next summer.