England have achieved another real high under head coach Sarina Wiegman with the Lionesses having defeated world champions the United States 2-1 at Wembley this evening.
Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway scored the goals for England in the first half as they made a winning return to the national stadium two months on from their UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 final victory over Germany.
It was the United States who created the first good chance inside the opening two minutes. Sophia Smith latched onto a throw-in and raced towards goal but she could only shoot straight at home keeper Mary Earps.
England settled into the game and they broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Beth Mead’s low delivery caused issues for the visiting defence and Hemp bundled the ball home.
Smith soon went close to levelling matters when her low ball resulted in a scramble in the England six-yard box. The equalising goal didn’t come from that incident but it did arrive very soon after when England were caught out on the edge of their own box and Smith picked up possession before rifling the ball into the bottom corner.
The United States looked to have the momentum but VAR awarded England a penalty when Lucy Bronze was caught in the head by Hailie Mace’s boot. Stanway stepped up to take the spot kick and successfully converted from 12 yards.
The first half ended in some controversy. The United States caught England in a three-on-two situation with Trinity Rodman striking the ball home at the end of a flowing attacking move. VAR intervened and ruled that an offside had occurred, chalking the goal off.
The second half was more of a battle with England showing some real grit. Both Smith and Chloe Kelly struck efforts wide of the target at either end before Bronze went close when she thumped a shot marginally wide from a low Hemp pass.
In the closing stages, Stanway ran at the American defence before firing her effort high and wide of goal. The United States then thought that they had a penalty but Rose Lavelle’s shot was adjudged to have not struck a hand, VAR cancelling out a blatant error by the match referee.
England held out for a 2-1 win and they will now head to Brighton for another international friendly against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening.