Player ratings as Lionesses edge Women’s Finalissima

England beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties to win the first Women’s Finalissima at Wembley on Thursday night, following a tense 1-1 draw over 90 minutes. It was a 30th game unbeaten for the Lionesses under the management of Sarina Wiegman.

More than 83,000 watched what was a cliched game of two halves, with Ella Toone opening the scoring in the first half. But Andressa Alves netted a deserved Brazil equaliser in the 93rd minute.

Mary Earps got a big hand to Brazil’s first penalty without keeping it out, but spectacularly saved the second and then goaded skipper Rafaelle to smash the third against the bar. Toone had earlier seen hers saved by Leticia, but Euro 2022 final hero Chloe Kelly drilled in the decisive fourth.

The Lionesses utterly dominated the ball in the first half. Despite the technical quality in their lineup, Brazil seemed determined to keep things tight at the back and not over stretch themselves by piling forward. With so little space to play, it posed a problem for the hosts early on and could even provided a blueprint for teams looking to frustrate the European champions at the World Cup.

Keira Walsh was a little redundant in the middle of the pitch, putting more focus on the likes of Lucy Bronze and Lauren James on the right and Lauren Hemp on the left to make something happen.

Bronze was a real driving force, at times able to play like a winger rather than a full-back and effectively becoming the extra attacker that gave England hope of cracking the code. The Barcelona defender’s drive brought a good diving save out Brazil goalkeeper Leticia, while also played in James to sweep the ball into the net half an hour – an offside flag ruled it out.

Before that, Bronze had played the perfect final pass for Toone to break the deadlock. She combined with former Manchester City teammate Georgia Stanway to engineer the space and then pulled it back to Toone in space in the middle of the box for a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

England had further chances before half-time, with a Hemp header straight at Leticia and a clever first-time shot from Alessia Russo also saved by the Brazilian stopper. The visitors really struggled to make anything of note, but for a vital block from Jess Carter to deny Geyse.

But Pia Sundhage made changes to the Selecao at half-time, both in personnel and shape, suddenly making them much more expansive and adventurous. England didn’t know how to respond and were also guilty of losing the ball too cheaply as well…