England vs USA LIVE: Result and final score as Lionesses seal Wembley win
The European champions mry the world champions as England’s Lionesses returned to Wembley for the first time since glory over Germany in July
England claimed victory in the clash of European and world champions as Sarina Wiegman’s side beat the United States 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley.
The Lionesses went ahead through Lauren Hemp’s 10th-minute finish before Sophia Smith equalised in the 28th minute after Georgia Stanway lost possession near her own box.
England then benefited from two VAR checks - one resulting in the penalty from which Stanway restored their lead after 33 minutes, and another soon after that saw Trinity Rodman’s strike for the visitors disallowed, with Smith ruled to have been offside.
VAR also ensured a late penalty award against England for handball, with the ball having struck Hemp’s legs, was overturned as they saw out only a third victory in their last 17 meetings with the US.
It is the first time they have beaten the world number ones since 2017 and represents yet another big plus for the team under Wiegman - whose undefeated tenure now shows 21 wins from 23 games - as they work towards next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
A crowd of 76,893 was in attendance for England’s return to the scene of July’s historic Euros triumph, and those present included a host of former Lionesses as the team’s 50th anniversary was marked.
Half-time: England 2-1 USA
England edge a thrilling half of football at Wembley. What a treat that was, and there’s still 45 minutes to come.
England 2-1 USA
42 min: Chloe Kelly can’t quite get on the end of a throughball and it runs away for a US goal-kick.
Disallowed! England 2-1 USA
Trinity Rodman thought she had scored for the US, but VAR spots an offside in the build-up against Smith – by the narrowest of margins – and a huge roar goes up at Wembley as the equaliser is disallowed.
GOAL! England 2-2 USA (Rodman)
Wow, what a breathless game this is. A slick move by the US culminates in Smith crossing from the right towards Rapinoe, who lets it run, and there’s Trinity Rodman at the back post to slot into the opposite corner.
GOAL! England 2-1 USA (Stanway, pen)
Georgia Stanway makes up for her earlier error with a cool finish into the bottom-right corner.
England 1-1 USA
Penalty! VAR has spotted a high boot by Mace on Lucy Bronze, and England will have a spot-kick.
GOAL! England 1-1 USA (Smith)
Stanway is caught on the ball trying to play out from the back, and finally USA’s high press pays off as their most threatening player, the young talent Sophia Smith, picks up the loose ball and fires past Earps from the edge of the box.
England 1-0 USA
24 min: England are enjoying a spell of sustained possession in their opponents’ half. The hosts have certainly been the better side in this opening quarter.
England 1-0 USA
21 min: Another puase in play as the USA’s Emily Fox comes off injured with what likes like a shoulder or arm problem. She is replaced by Kansas City’s Hailie Mace.
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