The Lionesses made a triumphant Wembley return as they put the reigning world champs in their place.
On their first appearance at the home of football since being crowned European Champions, they turned on the style to beat FIFA’s No.1 ranked side.
Lauren Hemp set the ball rolling with her tenth international goal early on and, despite suffering a setback following an uncharacteristic defensive blunder, claimed victory thanks to Georgia Stanway’s penalty. And as Lionesses past and present gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of the women’s first international, Sarina Wiegman’s side put on a show fitting of the occasion.
Neither team were at full strength - the Americans were arguably hit harder by injury - but this will be seen as a marker ahead of next year’s World Cup and now the psychological advantage will be with the Lionesses.
The game fizzed almost from the first whistle. Sophia Smith - who ran England’s defence ragged - scuffed a shot inside the opening 60 seconds that keeper Mary Earps was happy to collect.
But the Lionesses grew into it and a lovely strike that went from back to front gave them the lead. Skipper-for-the-night Millie Bright started it off and the ball worked its way up the right before Beth Mead delivered a low cross into the area. Centre-half Alana Cook slipped and presented Hemp with a chance she took comfortably.
However, the Americans were causing problems with their pressing. It told when visitors’ skipper Lindsey Horan caught out Stanway.
Her faint touch was enough to leave Smith with sight of goal. The striker slammed a shot into the bottom corner to level.
Parity lasted but a few minutes.
Lucy Bronze stooped slightly to down a loose ball after an England corner was half-cleared, receiving a boot to the face from sub Hailie Mace. Referee Katrin Rafalski awarded a penalty after VAR drew her attention to the foul. Stanway made amends for her earlier error by slotting home the spot-kick.
However, the Lionesses should have been dragged back onto level terms moments later. The best move of the match ended with Trinity Rodman finishing after a lightning-quick move. However, on a second view, VAR ruled again in England’s favour as Smith was deemed offside in the build-up.
The hosts were again given a reprieve by the video referee in the closing stages after Ref Rafalski inexplicably awarded a penalty after Rose Lavelle’s shot hit Lauren Hemp on the backside with the spot-kick decision reversed after a playback.
Player Ratings
England: (4-3-3) Earps 6, Bronze 8, Bright 7, Greenwood 6, Daly 6; Walsh 7, Stanway 6, Kirby 5; (Toone 68, 6) Mead 6, Hemp 6, Kelly 6. (James 90)
Subs: Roebuck, MacIver, Morgan, Zelem, Wubben-Moy, Carter, Parris, Park, Stokes, Salmon.
USA: (4-3-3) Naeher 6, Huerta 6, (Dunn 63, 5) Cook 5, Girma 6, (Sauerbrunn 83) Fox 5; (Mace 22, 5) Horan 6, Sullivan 6, (Coffey 63, 5) Lavelle 6; Rodman 7,(Sanchez 82) Rapinoe 5, (Thompson 83) Smith 7.
Subs: Murphy, Kingsbury, Hatch, Howell, Mewis, Demelo.
Player-of-the-match: Lucy Bronze
