In a night dominated by an emotional show of unity, the Lionesses outlasted the United States, winning a thrilling open battle between the European champions and world champions 2-1 to maintain Sarina Wiegman’s unbeaten streak as coach of England
England’s win over the World Cup champions was their first since an 89th-minute Ellen White goal gave them victory at the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, and only their third win against the Americans in 19 matches. The gap, however, is closer than ever, with the Football Association investing heavily from top to bottom to try and bridge it.
This match always matters, because the young contenders are up against the best in the world, but it was dripping with extra intensity. To mark the 50th anniversary of England’s first official women’s match on November 18, 12 members of the original 1972 team took to the pitch in the much-anticipated pre-match caps. Nearly 150 past and present players also appeared in front of the crowd at halftime.
The game has come a long way. But celebrations of how far women’s football has come, with this match, England’s biggest selling game, men’s or women’s, at the new Wembley, tempered by moving acknowledgments of how far there is still to go, until and all in one of the best-selling moments. advanced women’s soccer nations.
Sally Yates’ report was released on Monday, which found emotional and sexual abuse to be “systemic” within women’s national soccer in the US. In solidarity during a traumatic week for the US women’s national team, all players took to the field wearing teal armbands, the Wembley Arch was lit up in the color representing the campaign against sexual violence and both sides stood together behind a “Protect the female players”. banner before the start.
There had been questions about whether American players would feature in those games, with Spain next in this international window. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski said the squad would get all the support they need and could be left to train, meet and play as needed because “this is more than a game”.
However, the players, and this American team in particular, are used to playing through pain and struggle, knowing that we still live in a time when, unfortunately, success on the pitch is critical to forcing hands and change.
Both teams were missing key players for the Wembley clash. Alex Morgan, who has been in electric form, Catarina Macario and Tobin Heath were among the many names ruled out through injury before the US squad was announced, while Taylor Kornieck and Mal Pugh were pulled. There was no Alessia Russo or Leah Williamson for England.
Lauren Hemp heads the ball past Alyssa Naeher to put England 1-0 up. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
In place of Russo, Lauren Hemp led the line, with Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly on either side.
For the visiting team, the powerful young duo of Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith lined up alongside veteran Megan Rapinoe in a front three. That power was almost instantly demonstrated when Smith drifted down the left, but her effort on goal was soft and easy for Mary Earps.
It took the European champions 10 minutes to put the USA behind for the first time in 22 games. Mead was critical, the Ballon d’Or and Golden Boot winner at the Euros flying forward down the right and curling a cross into the middle. Center Alana Cook could only nudge the ball into Hemp’s path with her sliding body and the Manchester City forward beat Alyssa Naeher.
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England had the lead, but it was a very open game and a few minutes before half-time, the world champions were level. Lindsey Horan, their captain, put pressure on Georgia Stanway as she tried to collect Millie Bright’s low pass and forced the ball to Smith, who collected and coolly fired past Earps.
England’s lead was restored four minutes later with a high foot from substitute Hailie Mace, in place of the injured Emily Fox, catching Lucy Bronze as she bent to head the ball and a VAR review which it resulted in a penalty and a yellow card for Mace. . Stanway converted from the spot, firing low into the corner with Naeher missing.
The Americans could feel aggrieved for not getting back on level terms before the break. Smith made it nine for Bright on the break by sending the ball into the box, Rapinoe put it back to Bronze and Rodman’s low shot went over Earps. It was a very well worked goal, but the VAR ruled that Smith was very much offside in the formation.
Little had to separate the teams after the break, but both threatened. With 63 games between the starting four players in the USA backline before this game and Williamson absent in England, both defenses looked fallible.
There was late drama when the USA were awarded a penalty for handball, but it was overturned, with the ball bouncing off Hemp’s back instead of his arm. The last afflictions would yield no reward for either side.
With the World Cup nine months away, England can take heart from a win against the competition’s holders, while the United States can be encouraged to get through the game and the week.