England beat world champions the United States in a friendly at Wembley.
lionesses, who won the european championship in julySophia Smith equalized in the 28th minute and Lauren Hamp finished in the 10th minute after Georgia Steinway lost possession near his own box.
England then benefited from two VAR checks – one which resulted in Steinway restoring the lead after 33 minutes, and another shortly after which saw Trinity Rodman’s strike against the visitors banned and Smith ruled for offside.
VAR also ensured a late handball penalty against England, which hit Hemp in the leg and was overturned as they secured just their third victory in their last 17 clashes with the United States.
Georgia Stanway took the penalty to ensure England’s second goal.Image: Associated Press
It was their first victory over the world No. 1 team since 2017, another big advantage for the side under manager Sarina Wiegman – whose unbeaten run is now Showing 21 victories from 23 games – they are working hard for next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
76,893 people attended England’s return to July’s historic Euro 2022 victory, including many former Lionesses as the team celebrated its 50th anniversary.
England – captained by Millie Bright in the absence of the injured Leah Williamson – recorded their first fifth-minute strike from Beth Mead after Mary Upps dealt with Smith’s early shot. A match, caught by Alyssa Nach.
Five minutes later, the hosts seized the lead when Mead sent the ball into the box and Alana Cooke misjudged her intervention attempt and the ball passed from her to Hemp, who fired home from close range.
The Americans fought back half an hour ago, punishing England for a sloppy attack in the back as Steinway received a pass from Bright, snatched by Lindsey Horan and Smith made it 1-1 from Earps shot.
Steinway then quickly made amends, putting Wigman’s side back in front and awarding a penalty through VAR. The penalty was awarded after Hayley Mays’ high boots came into contact with Lucy Bronze’s face, with German referee Reem Hussein gesturing after watching the incident on the sidelines monitor.
American players Trinity Rodman (left) and Lindsey Horan celebrate.Image: Associated Press
Three minutes later, the U.S. appeared to have leveled as Rodman swept through them – but another VAR check saw the effort and Smith was ruled offside.
The former Lionesses received applause from the crowd on a lap of the pitch at half-time before Smith knocked Earps out of the post two minutes into the second half.
At the other end, Chloe Kelly shot wide, bronze slid into the side net, and Steinway broke into the box only to grazed her shot through the stands.
As the United States sought an equaliser, England were horrified with 10 minutes remaining when Hussein awarded a penalty as Ross Lavelle’s shot hit Hamp in the box.
But replays showed the ball had apparently hit her lower body, and VAR intervened again, and after Hussein went to the monitor again, it was confirmed that it was not a penalty.
England’s Lauren James came off the bench.Image: Associated Press
Before kick-off, the players in the first England women’s official match in the 3-2 win over Scotland at Greenock in November 1972 were given custom caps in the stadium display. Then, when the team came on the field, they formed an honor guard next to the tunnel.
England and the US wore teal armbands, which they said was a “show of solidarity and a common cause…standing with victims of sexual abuse”, and held banners together that read “Protecting The Wembley Arch was also lit up in teal as the players’ game started.
The match comes four days after the publication of the independent investigative report, which said Verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct ‘have become systemic’ in NFL.