Arsenal‘s Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead, one of football’s power couples, faced off in a unique ‘Meadema battle’ as their respective national teams clashed without playing each other.

Both players were in action, albeit 1,114 kilometres apart, with Miedema playing for the Netherlands against Belgium and Mead representing England against Scotland.

The Dutch coach Andries Jonker and England boss Sarina Wiegman provided both forwards with significant playing time.

Miedema was substituted on for the Dutch team during their game, while Mead scored for England, making it 0-4 against Scotland.

The timing of their involvement was uncanny, as Miedema began to warm up at the same moment Mead scored her goal.

Both players have recently recovered from anterior cruciate ligament injuries, missing the World Cup but making strong comebacks.

Mead started against Scotland, and Miedema played what she described as her best game since returning.

Miedema, the Dutch top scorer of all time, expressed satisfaction with her performance. “I feel better than the previous international match, I think you could see that,” she said.

Highlighting a solo move during the game, Miedema reflected on her recovery and future prospects: “In February, at the ‘Final Four’, I expect to be completely fit again.”

After the game, Miedema reached out to Mead via text. Asked what she had said, Miedema revealed, “Just a quick message after I saw that she had scored a goal. I indicated that I was proud of her for scoring and that we would have a long phone call tonight.”

With humour, Miedema also anticipated the atmosphere at home, given that only one of their teams could advance to the Final Four. “I think it will be quiet in the house on Thursday,” she joked.

“Football is hard sometimes. We knew in advance that only one team would advance to the Final Four. Despite the disappointment, I am sure that she is also happy for me and that she now hopes that we will finish the job in February, that we will go to the Games.”