England vs Brazil LIVE: Result, final score and reaction as Lionesses win Finalissima via penalty shootout
England 1-1 Brazil (England win 4-2 on penalties): Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses triumph in first ever Women’s Finalissima
A tale of two halves created a wonderful showpiece at Wembley for the inaugural Women’s Finalissima. The champions of Europe and the champions of South America clashed in front of a packed house in a game that had excitement, goals and late drama before ultimately being decided via a penalty shootout.
England dominated the first half after Brazil set up with a low block to keep them quiet. The Lionesses controlled possession and set the tempo of the game. Lucy Bronze was exceptional on the right side and proved to be a vital part of England’s attacking play. She was fed the ball by Lauren James before setting up Ella Toone in the box to create the opening goal.
At half-time it seemed as though England would run away with the match but Brazil rallied perfectly. A change of shape and personnel gave the visitors more control in midfield and they came flying out of the blocks for the second half. An aggressive press put the Lionesses under intense pressure and Brazil were rewarded in stoppage time when Andressa Alves turned a dropped ball from Mary Earps into the back of the net.
That forced a penalty shootout but Earps redeemed herself by keeping Tamires’ effort wide of the post and tipping Rafaelle’s strike onto the crossbar. Chloe Kelly - England’s Euros hero - then stepped up for the deciding spot kick and powered it home to give England victory.
Relive all the action as England take on Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima:
England 1-0 Brazil
54 mins: Geyse collects the ball and carries it into the left side of the box. She takes on Leah Williamson and skips past the England captain before pulling the ball back into the middle.
Keira Walsh gets back to intercept but Brazil are growing in confidence.
England 1-0 Brazil
51 mins: Brazil’s change of shape has had an immediate effect. They’re now able to get more bodies up the pitch and challenge England’s attempt to play out from the back.
Kerolin is given the ball and moves it quickly out wide on the turn. She plays it into Tamires whose cross into the box is controlled and cleared by Leah Williamson.
England 1-0 Brazil
48 mins: Alves is into the action immediately! Brazil press high and win the ball before slipping a pass into the penalty area from the right.
Alves receives and shoots but her effort sails straight into the waiting arms of Mary Earps.
Second half: England 1-0 Brazil
Brazil have made a at half-time. Andressa Alves comes on to replace Lauren and that will also mean a change in formation with the visitors moving to a back four.
HT England 1-0 Brazil
It’s been a one-sided affair so far at Wembley, England have been in complete control. Here;s the ebst of the stats at half-time:
Shots: 9 - 1
Shots on goal: 4 - 0
Saves: 0 - 3
Possession: 81% - 19%
Offsides: 3 - 1
Corners: 3 - 1
Fouls: 3 - 5
Yellow cards: 0 - 1
HT England 1-0 Brazil
Check out Ella Toone’s opener which put England in front in the first half:
Half-time: England 1-0 Brazil
45 mins: No minutes are added on and the first half comes to a close with England taking a slender lead into the break. So far so good for the Lionesses.
England 1-0 Brazil
41 mins: Chance! England work the ball wonderfully through midfield and out to Lauren James on the left wing. James has her first run at Antonia and shimmies past the right-back before floating a decent cross into the box.
There’s not much pace on the ball as it drops to Lauren Hemp which results in her headed effort softly looping up into the hands of goalkeeper Leticia.
England 1-0 Brazil
38 mins: Rafaelle earns herself the first booking of the match after lunging in on Georgia Stanway from behind.
England switch the resultant free kick over to the left wing where Jess Carter wins a throw in. Lauren Hemp and Lauren James have switched sides too.
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