From Wembley Stadium – European champions England beat world champions the USA 2-1 in front of a raucous crowd at Wembley on Friday evening.
Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway netted either side of a Sophia Smith strike to maintain Sarina Wiegman’s remarkable unbeaten run as England boss.
With Ellen White retired and Alessia Russo injured, the question on everybody’s lips was who would lead the line for England. Would the youthful Ebony Salmon or Lauren James be given the nod on such an occasion? Would Rachel Daly venture forward from left-back? Would Beth Mead return to the position that she began her senior career?
Wiegman opted for secret option number five, with left winger Hemp starting through the middle. Just as everyone had just about digested Hemp’s new role, the unorthodox striker had given England the lead, burying Mead’s teasing cross inside 10 minutes.
The USA levelled just before the half hour mark as Lindsey Horan robbed Stanway on the edge of the England box, and Smith fired a low, fizzing drive into the bottom corner.
It was a biting, end to end and quite frankly chaotic encounter, and England retook the lead just five minutes later. Hailie Mace was retrospectively penalised by VAR for a high foot on Lucy Bronze, and Stanway atoned for her earlier error by coolly dispatching the spot kick.
The USA thought they had levelled the scores once more as Trinity Rodman applied the finishing touches to a slick team move, but VAR intervened and Smith was judged to be narrowly offside in the buildup.
The second half began in much the same vain as the first, with Smith firing narrowly wide and Bronze finding the side netting following a bursting Hemp run.
The USA saw a penalty decision overturned by VAR after Rose Lavelle’s strike had been incorrectly judged to strike the arm of Hemp in the latter stages of the second period, and Ella Toone and Smith blazed over at either end as the clock ticked down, but there was to be no more drama as England saw out the victory.
GK: Mary Earps – 6/10 – Got a palm to Smith’s opener but couldn’t keep it out. Was put under pressure in her own box with the ball at her feet on a number of occasions, and although she initially looked tentative, her distribution was largely strong.
RB: Lucy Bronze – 7/10 – Began the move from which England opened the scoring with a clever pass inside to Stanway. Looked really lively going forward, particularly in the first…
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