England 2-1 USA: Lionesses beat World Champions in friendly at Wembley

England’s first goalscorer Lauren Hemp played number nin for the injured Alessia Russo

European champions England beat world champions USA for the first time since 2017 in front of more than 76,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.

It promised to be a blockbuster game and didn’t disappoint with VAR drama, goals and a penalty in the flagship friendly.

Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp, who replaced the injured Alessia Russo as centre-forward, put the Lionesses ahead after just 10 minutes.

USA reacted when Sophia Smith equalised, but England were awarded a penalty for a high boot by Lucy Bronze after referee Riem Hussein checked the VAR monitor.

Georgia Stanway made it 2-1 before the United States ruled out a goal for narrow offside minutes later.

After the break, both sides’ chances continued to decline – the visitors had the best – in an open, hectic encounter.

There was further frustration for the USA after they were awarded a penalty for handball in the 81st minute, but referee Hussein again checked the VAR monitor and overturned her decision.

England celebrated a big win against their long-time rivals in their first meeting at the National Stadium, extending an impressive streak to 23 games under coach Sarina Wiegman.

Speaking to ITV Sport after the game, Wiegman said: “That was really intense, just what we wanted. The USA played as we expected, they gave us tough times at times.

This was only the third time England had beaten the USA in 11 meetings – and their first win since the SheBelieves Cup in March 2017. The teams met in the 2019 Women’s World Cup semifinals when the USA won 2-1.

It also comes 10 months before the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which England are bidding for for the first time, while the USA hope to defend their crown for a third straight tournament.

Before kick-off, England showed their solidarity with the USA after an investigation uncovered “systemic” abuse and wrongdoing at the National Women’s Soccer League earlier this week.

The players wore teal armbands, Wembley’s archway was lit teal and both teams gathered in the center before kick-off, arm in arm in front of a banner that read ‘Protect The Players’.

Players from England and the US joined a demonstration of support over abuse allegations in the NWSL

US coach Vlatko Andonovski said after the game: “Of course it was an extremely difficult week for everyone. It wasn’t easy for them to see and experience everything they’ve been through.

“I salute their courage and their fearlessness and relentlessness. They have shown once again that nothing can stop them from playing the game they love. I hope we never have to go through this again.

“It was a very special moment when the players got together and had the banner in front of them. It gave me goosebumps as the crowd applauded them. It was a statement and once again the players did an incredible job of using this game and this event as a platform to fight against it.”

England sets signs for the World Cup

Under Wiegman, it was one of the Lionesses’ biggest tests yet and, while both teams were missing key players, it was a dress rehearsal for what could be in store for next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

It was therefore gratifying that the good margins in this game went to England where they had suffered so much heartbreak in the past.

Beth Mead’s curling cross was missed by defender Alana Cook and Hemp clinched from close range for England’s opener.

Playing in a less familiar position as number 9 due to Russo’s absence, the 22-year-old developed splendidly, causing chaos throughout the game and creating numerous chances.

Wiegman said of Hemp’s performance, “She enjoyed herself and caused them a lot of trouble. It helps that she scored!”

Mead and Chloe Kelly on the opposite flank were also extremely dangerous in an impressive English attack, but Wiegman’s side were also lucky.

US substitute Hailie Mace saw a yellow card when her high boot hit Bronze in the face, resulting in a penalty which Stanway saved to restore England’s narrow lead before half-time.

And VAR came to England’s aid twice when Trinity Rodman’s finish was ruled out after Smith was inches offside in the flow build-up.

It was another warning sign for England, who were cut open at the back on numerous occasions, with Rodman, Megan Rapinoe and Smith all having great chances.

When asked if she was happy with her team’s defensive performance, Wiegman said, “Sometimes we’ve been very open and we know USA are very fast, but we wanted to play a game with the high pressing. We’ll check and see if we can do better, but that’s how we want to play.”

England could have extended their lead as well – Stanway shot wide and Bronze hit the side netting – but USA thought they had a lifeline when referee Hussein called for handball with less than 10 minutes to go.

Replays showed the ball deflected off Rachel Daly’s back and the decision was overturned before England won a significant victory over the world champions in front of 76,893 fans at Wembley.

lineups

England

formation 4-2-3-1

1ears

2bronze5Bright6green wood3Daly

8thStanway4Walsch

7mead10kirby11Kelly

9hemp

• 1ears
• 2bronze
• 5Bright45 minutes booked
• 6green wood
• 3Daly
• 8thStanway
• 4Walsch
• 7mead
• 10kirbyReplaced byvolumeat 68′protocol
• 11KellyReplaced byJamesat 90+1′protocol
• 9hemp

substitute

• 12morgan
• 13roebuck
• 14I want it
• fifteenWübben Moy
• 16carter
• 17Paris
• 18volume
• 19park
• 20Stokes
• 21McIver
• 22James
• 23Salmon

United States of America

formation 4-3-3

1Closer

8thwhoa3Cook12bulk goods23Fox

6Rodman10Horan17Sullivan

16Lavalle11blacksmithfifteenRapinoe

• 1Closer
• 8thwhoaReplaced bySlimat 63′protocol
• 3Cook
• 12bulk goodsReplaced bySauerbrunnat 83′protocol
• 23FoxReplaced bymorning starat 22′protocol32 minutes booked
• 6RodmanBooked at 48 minutesReplaced bySanchezat 83′protocol
• 10Horan
• 17SullivanReplaced byCoffeeat 63′protocol
• 16Lavalle
• 11blacksmith
• fifteenRapinoeReplaced byThompsonat 83′protocol

substitute

• 2Sanchez
• 4Sauerbrunn
• 5morning star
• 7hatch
• 13Thompson
• 14Coffee
• 18Murphy
• 19Slim
• 20Howl
• 21Kingsbury
• 22Mewis
• 25De Melo

Referee: Riem Hussein

Number of visitors: 76,891

live text

1. Game ends, England 2, USA 1.

2. Second half ends, England 2, USA 1.

3. attempt failed. Sophia Smith (USA) left footed shot from the center of the box is too high.

4. Corner, United States. Cashed in by Alex Greenwood.

5. Substitution England. Lauren James replaces Chloe Kelly.

6. attempt failed. Ella Toone (England) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Lucy Bronze.

7. Lucy Bronze (England) wins a free kick on the right wing.

8. Foul by Lindsey Horan (United States).

9. attempt failed. Georgia Stanway (England) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ella Toone.

10. Foul by Alex Greenwood (England).

11. Sophia Smith (USA) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

12. Substitution, United States. Alyssa Thompson replaces Megan Rapinoe.

13. Substitution, United States. Becky Sauerbrunn replaces Naomi Girma.

14. Substitution, United States. Ashley Sanchez replaces Trinity Rodman.

15. VAR decision: No USA penalty.

16. Corner, United States. Cashed in by Millie Bright.

17. Foul by Beth Mead (England).

18. Crystal Dunn (USA) wins a free kick on the left wing.

19. Offside, England. Lucy Bronze tries a through ball, but Lauren Hemp is caught offside.

20. Corner, United States. Cashed in by Millie Bright.