It was deja vu at a jumping Wembley, as Chloe Kelly scored the winner in the inaugural Finalissima, this time in a penalty shootout. Kelly had been the hero last summer, scoring the extra-time winner to seal victory in the Euro 2022 final against Germany. This time the stakes weren’t as high, but another trophy was secured, and Sarina Wiegman’s unbeaten run was extended to 30 games, with the Dutch manager yet to experience defeat with her European champions.
A stunning team goal finished by Ella Toone had torn apart the Copa América Femenina champions Brazil in the first half, but Andressa Alves’s injury-time strike forced a shootout. Goalkeeper Mary Earps would atone for her fumble conceding the goal, by stopping Tamires’ strike and watching as Brazil captain Rafaelle’s shot smashed off the bar before Kelly sealed the victory in England’s first shootout since 2011.
