England made it 23 games unbeaten by beating the USA on Friday
(Picture: Getty Images)If this clash at Wembley between England and the USA is anything like what we get at the World Cup next year, then everyone is in for a treat.
Simply put this was great entertainment, particularly the first-half, which had just about everything in it.
Three goals, one of which was a penalty, VAR interventions and controversy, and some quality football from two sides who will undoubtedly be challenging to go all the way at next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Having sold this friendly out in less than 24 hours, the FA would have wanted to put on a show for the 90,000 who bought tickets - and the players delivered.
England eventually won a captivating game 2-1, stretching their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman to 23 games, and the fact the European champions have now beaten the world champions will only increase the buzz around the Lionesses.
On the balance of play they were just about worthy winners here, with Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway’s goals cancelling out Sophia Smith’s strike.
The USA will feel aggrieved, though, with the visitors having a second goal by Trinity Rodman chalked off after the tightest of offside calls by VAR.
This was a big night for the FA, who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the England senior women’s team, with nearly 150 former and current players in attendance.
Before kick-off, 12 players from the 1972 team received a bespoke England cap and gave a guard of honour to both sides as they entered the pitch. After that, they joined in with the Lionesses for a group team photo, while former midfielder Jill Scott placed the European trophy on a plinth to huge cheers from the Wembley crowd.
The England and USA teams then united by the centre-circle, holding up a banner with the words “protect the players” on it as a show of solidarity with sexual abuse victims as this week the Yates report detailed the misconduct going on in the NWSL.
It was all part of a very slick and organised pre-match production, which was quite the contrast to the chaotic nature of the first-half.
After an end-to-end start, England took the lead through Hemp. Bronze started the move with a nutmeg before playing in Stanway. The midfielder then set Beth Mead on her way down the right and, try as USA defender Alana Cook might, she could not stop Hemp tapping the cross home.
The frantic nature of the game didn’t drop after that and the USA hit back just before the half-hour mark. Stanway was caught in possession on the edge of her box, and Smith emphatically finished when given the chance to score.
Five minutes later, though, the game had seesawed again as VAR intervened to give England a penalty. Bronze was caught by a high foot from Hailie Mace and, after going to the monitor, referee Riem Hussein pointed to the spot. Stanway made no mistake.
That wasn’t to be the last of VAR before half-time, however, as the USA had a goal chalked off for offside by the tightest of margins. Smith raced away and teed up Trinity Rodman, but replays judged she was a fraction offside.
That brought an end to a frantic first-half and it was little surprise the tempo in the second-half did drop a little.
The USA still looked bright at times, particularly through Smith and she caused England’s defence issues all night.
Bronze and Stanway went close to doubling England’s lead, however it was VAR that once again proved to be the talking point of the half.
With under 10 minutes to go the USA were awarded a penalty as referee Hussein adjudged Hemp had blocked a shot with her hand. Replays showed it did in fact hit her backside and the decision was swiftly overturned.
England held on after that to claim a famous and, for now at least, that summer Euros fever is still burning. Roll on next year’s World Cup.
