England Women 2-1 USA Women: Lionesses beat World Champions to stay unbeaten under Sarina Wiegman

This was just a friendly. On paper, maybe. In reality, far from it. England vs the United States, the European champions vs the World champions, in front of a 76,891 crowd at Wembley. This was a game that would have been worthy of a World Cup final – and in nine months time it could be.

Three years ago England were beaten 2-1 by the US in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup. The scoreline said it was a narrow defeat but in reality the Lionesses were some way off their rivals. The US were stronger, fitter and had the know-how to get over the line. So what has changed? Belief. 

After winning the Euros, England now believe they can beat the US, and last night they did. There were three young stars on the scoresheet, with Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway netting for England while Sophia Smith got the visitors’ goal. There were shades of 2019 but in reverse as England took the lead, were pegged back, but took the lead again, with the help of VAR.

Sarina Wiegman had said the gap between the US and European countries had narrowed. She is right. She is very rarely wrong. With both teams missing key players, much will change before next summer. But there is no getting away from it. This was a statement win.

The match was taking place against the backdrop of the Sally Yates report, which found abuse and misconduct to be ‘systemic’ in the United States’ top flight of women’s football. In a show of solidarity to sexual abuse victims, England’s players joined the US team by wearing teal armbands and stood behind a banner reading ‘Protect the Players’. It was a defiant act of unity and a reminder of how much still needs to be done to protect women’s footballers across the globe.

Finally, attention turned to matters on the pitch. Both teams were missing key players. England were without captain Leah Williamson and striker Alessia Russo. The US, meanwhile, were without Alex Morgan – who is still remembered for her tea-drinking celebration in the 2-1 victory over England at the 2019 World Cup.

England’s injuries meant Alex Greenwood started at centre back alongside Millie Bright while Lauren Hemp occupied the No 9 spot. Many had expected Beth Mead to play centrally, given she started her career as a forward – while Hemp has little experience of that role.

We should know by now to trust Wiegman’s decision making. Just over ten minutes had passed before England’s new No 9 had opened the scoring. It was created by Mead, who drove down the right and sent in a cross which was deflected into Hemp’s path by Alanna Cook and the forward squeezed the ball under US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. A textbook striker’s finish.

There is a lot of hype around Hemp and just how good she can be. But Hemp was not the only exciting player on show last night. There has also been a lot of talk about America’s Sophia Smith, a rising young star who will be a key player at the World Cup. Twenty-eight minutes in, she brought the visitors level. 

England were the constructs of their own downfall as Millie Bright put Stanway under pressure with a weak pass on the edge of her box. The midfielder was outmuscled by Lindsey Horan and the ball dropped to Smith, who fired into the bottom right corner past Mary Earps.

But Stanway and England responded as the midfielder restored the hosts lead from the penalty spot just five minutes later. Hailie Mace, who had replaced the injured Emily Fox mid-way through the half, caught Lucy Bronze with a high foot inside the box. Referee Riem Hussein originally waved play on but with VAR in use, was instructed to check the monitor and subsequently awarded a penalty. 

Stanway converted into the bottom right corner. The US thought they had equalised four minutes later only for VAR to intervene again. Smith was involved once more as her cross was flicked on by Rapinoe to Trinity Rodman, who finished into the bottom right corner. Smith was marginally offside in the build-up.

Smith continued to cause havoc at the start of the second half and nearly brought the USA level again as she sent an effort just wide of the far post.

As Smith lit up one end of the pitch, Hemp starred in the other. The forward stole the ball off Cook and burst down the wing before crossing for Bronze at the back-post, but the full-back could only send a shot into the side-netting.

Ten minutes from time the US were awarded a penalty as Hemp was adjudged to have handled in the box. Rose Lavelle’s shot had in fact hit her rear end. The decision was correctly overturned. Last night, everything went in England’s favour. Unlike 2019, we were not complaining.