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
35 mins: Lauren Hemp wins a corner after Antonia deflects her cross out of play.
Alex Greenwood comes forward to take the set piece and drills a cross over towards Lucy Bronze. Bronze goes for a header but her effort is blocked.
The ball pinballs around the edge of the box before Brazil recover possession and transition beautifully into a counter-attack.
Kerolin takes the ball all the way to the edge of England’s box but there are too many bodies for her to get through and the Lionesses eventually regain possession.
England 1-0 Brazil
32 mins: A cheap turnover from England puts them on the back foot as Brazil sweeps down the left side. Tamires gets forward on the overlap and is played into the box.
She lifts a cross into the six-yard area that Mary Earps palms away just as the offside flag is raised against the Brazilian left-back.
England 1-0 Brazil
29 mins: Disallowed goal! Oh this is lovely from Lauren James.
Alex Greenwood floats a beautiful diagonal pass over to the right wing where Lucy Bronze has pushed high once again. Bronze volleys it across the middle and picks out James who guides the ball into the penalty area then lifts a powerful strike over Leticia and rattles the roof of the net.
The offside flag then goes and the replays show she just drifted too far forward.
Her finish deserved a goal.
England 1-0 Brazil
26 mins: Sarina Wiegman was chuffed to bits when that goal went in. She would have been interested to see if her charges could break through this Brazilian defence and they’ve proven that they can.
The visitors need to adapt now, they’re chasing the game.
GOAL! England 1-0 Brazil (Toone, 23’)⚽️
23 mins: What a goal this is! England take the lead.
Lauren James receives the ball on the inside right channel and works it over to Lucy Bronze driving down the wing. Bronze plays a one-two with Georgia Stanway as she sweeps into the box.
Ella Toone is waiting in space for the cutback and Bronze picks her out perfectly. Toone then guides a first time effort over to the far bottom corner and the Lionesses open the scoring.
England 0-0 Brazil
20 mins: Chance! As England push up to win the ball high, Brazil beat the press and carry it into space in midfield. A pass over the top comes to Geyse who shoulders past Jess Carter and gets into the box.
She cuts back onto her left foot then shoots but miscues the effort and pushes it well wide of the far post!
England 0-0 Brazil
18 mins: England’s defensive capabilities are seriously impressive. Brazil hardly have time to control the ball before one of the Lionesses is on top of them.
They’re also defending in pairs and trying to limit the space Brazil have on the ball.
England 0-0 Brazil
15 mins: England’s free kick is floated over to the far side of the box but the hosts can’t make use of it and Leah Williamson’s return pass it nodded clear.
Save! The Lionesses come again and find Lauren Hemp high up the pitch. She cuts inside from the left and squares a pass over to Lucy Bronze in space.
Bronze then drills one at goal and forces Leticia into a leaping save to her right!
England 0-0 Brazil
12 mins: A quick counter-attack sees Georgia Stanway send the ball down the right wing as Alessia Russo sprints into space. She collects the ball and holds it up before shifting to the right and bombing around Rafaelle.
The experienced defender can’t keep up with Russo’s pace and brings her down just outside the penalty area. Big chance coming up for England.
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