Biggest crowd in Europe this weekend, staggered exits to ease the flow from Wembley Park Tube and touts on Olympic Way: this was England versus USWNT, European champions against Olympic champions, world No 2 versus world No 1, Sarina Wiegman against Emma Hayes, fireworks beforehand but then a little bit of a damp squib. USA were quicker and more inventive, England resilient.
It was only a friendly, but the rivalry is real enough. 78,346 were here, a world record for a women’s friendly, there was a booking for the visiting midfielder Coffey for kicking the ball away, even some brief boos at chants of “USA” and a couple of late challenges added to the spice of the occasion. Hayes had her players pressing hard and mixing up the tempo: they broke at pace through Thompson and the inventive Lavelle and also had more measured build-ups orchestrated by Horan. USA’s No 10 was constantly taking the ball and linking, turning and releasing.
It was only a friendly but important for Mary Earps, who was given her chance ahead of Hannah Hampton and did well, saving from Thompson and Krueger. Earps was the main positive for England as well as the reminder of the Lionesses’ popularity. But barring a wonderful Stanway switch to Mead, England’s passing lacked the intelligence and threat of Horan’s for 50 minutes.
England then played a higher line, supported Russo better and USA were finally under pressure. Williamson, Stanway and Russo all threatened. VAR had a good game, rightly rescuing England when Ryan’s shot thudded into Greenwood’s stomach, bounced on to her arm, and given as a penalty by the Finnish referee. VAR brought sanity to the situation.
#Lionesses #USWNT #ENGUSA
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