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.
England 1-0 USA
16 min: A US corner is headed tamely wide for a goal-kick. Meanwhile England’s goalscorer, Hemp, is down and needs a little attention after earlier taking a Rapinoe free-kick to the face.
England 1-0 USA
13 min: Keira Walsh is getting England’s midfield ticking nicely and helping to control the tempo of the match. Up front, Hemp gets another shot away but it’s well blocked.
GOAL! England 1-0 USA (Hemp)
Lauren Hemp immediately vindicates the manager’s decision to deploy her through the middle as she pounces on a defensive error in the box by Cook trying to cut out a cross, and slots home from close range.
England 0-0 USA
4 min: It’s a wide open start at Wembley as both teams surge into big spaces, but finally England calm things down a little with a spell of possession at the back.
England 0-0 USA
2 min: An early sight of goal for the US as Sophia Smith cuts in from the left flank before letting off a relatively tame shot from a tight angle, which Earps holds.
England 0-0 USA
Kick-off! The players take the knee before Lindsey Horan gets the contest under way.
England vs USA
Before the game gets under way, all of the players gather together behind a banner reading “protect the players” – a message to the game’s authorities amid the ongoing sexual misconduct scandal in the US.
England vs USA
The anthems are up next, and God Save the King is belted out by the home fans. Kick-off is moments away...
England vs USA
A light show is entertaining the 90,000-strong Wembley crowd as the players prepare to emerge from the tunnel, it’s a fantastic atmosphere.
England vs USA
Wiegman on the absence of injured captain Leah Williamson: “We’re going to miss her, we’d love to have her here, but it’s also an opportunity for other players to step up.”
And on playing the world champions at Wembley: “It’s a great occasion. It’s a very good moment to play them. It’s the best test we could have. After tonight we will know where we are.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments