MY ACCOUNT
England beat the World Champions USA 2-1 in front of 70,000 fans at Wembley.
The first-half was a fantastic spectacle — Lauren Hemp opened the scoring but only 18 minutes later Sophia Smith equalised.
However, in another turn of events, England were awarded a VAR penalty which Georgia Stanway converted.
Sarina Wiegman’s side had to dig deep and concede some possession in the second-half but they enough to secure a statement win against an excellent USA side.
Statement
After the incredible Euro 2022 win in the summer, England’s eyes are now peeled to the World Cup in 2023 to see if they can go one step further.
USA are the holders of the competition and are the likely favourites going in, so the game tonight was a great showcase for how England can compete against the best.
Sarina Wiegman’s side did just that — beating the USA is a great message that England can win the trophy for the first time.
First-half rollercoaster
Despite the game only being an international friendly, the match was played at a tempo that could’ve been mistaken for a final.
The European Champions and the World Champions’ clash was an extremely open game, especially in the first-half.
The USA were getting in behind down both wings and they were quick in transition, playing straight over the top of England’s midfield.
However, England had their moments and went in ahead — Hemp was very fluid as a number nine, Lucy Bronze was finding a lot of space in the right and Chloe Kelly was using her speed on the left.
Hemp the poacher
Lauren Hemp is not a natural number nine by trade, often playing on the left-hand side for Manchester City but her movement off the ball for the first goal was fantastic.
She darted into the box, crept in behind Alana Cook to pounce on her mistake — and slotted away well to send England into the lead.
Wiegman has no shortage of strikers at her disposable but having this option is certainly a useful dynamic.
VAR comes to England’s rescue
The first-half was dominated by VAR, with three big decisions leaning towards in England. The referee went over to the monitor to have a look at a very high boot from Hailie Mace on Lucy Bronze.
It was awarded as a penalty and Georgia Stanway tucked it away.
The second ruled out a USA goal that would’ve made it 2-2; the ball came into Megan Rapinoe who played a tidy backheel to Trinity Rodman and she fired home well.
However, Sophia Smith was indeed deemed offside in the build-up to that goal and it was the finest of margins.
Later on in the game, the referee thought she saw a handball in the box and awarded the USA a penalty but it came off Hemp’s backside.
Versatile
In the second-half, England had to show a slightly different side to their game.
The game was less open as USA held the ball well and created some chances, mainly through the lively Sophia Smith.
England had to accept the lack of territory but dug deep and defended well — something they had to during their Euro 2022 campaign a few times.
It is a fantastic trait to have and to keep out a team as talented as the USA only bodes well for England going forward.
