Penalty Shootout ends, England 1(4), Brazil 1(2).Penalty Shootout beginsEngland 1(4), Brazil 1(2).Andressa Alves (Brazil) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.England 1(3), Brazil 1(2).Chloe Kelly (England) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.England 1(2), Brazil 1(2).Geyse (Brazil) misses the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.England 1(2), Brazil 1(1).Leah Williamson (England) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.England 1(1), Brazil 1(1).Andressa Alves (Brazil) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.England 0(1), Brazil 0(1).Ella Toone (England) misses the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.
On a historic night at Wembley Stadium, England beat Brazil in a dramatic penalty shootout to win the first Women’s Finalissima and extend their unbeaten run to 30 games. Chloe Kelly, scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley last year, netted the decisive spot-kick and ran to celebrate with fans in the stands. The match had been forced into a shootout after Brazilian substitute Andressa Alves had equalised in stoppage time, cancelling out Ella Toone’s first-half opener.
The European champions were sternly tested by Copa America winners Brazil, but ultimately delivered more silverware as their momentum continues to gather pace before this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The shootout was a test of nerve and England came through it in another statement of their intent to deliver on the world stage in four months’ time.
England had controlled play from the first minute in front of 83,132 fans watching on in London, with Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo’s movement particularly effective in the first half. They deserved their half-time lead and looked fully in control until Brazil made changes at the break and began to show their credentials in attack. Barcelona forward Geyse caused all sorts of problems and came close to scoring for the visitors when goalkeeper Mary Earps tipped her long-range effort on to the crossbar.
England were hanging on in stoppage time until Earps, who was formidable throughout their Euro 2022 victory, made a rare error, fumbling a cross which fell at the feet of substitute Alves and she fired it into the roof of the net. But the Lionesses regrouped to win the shootout 4-2 and lift their second trophy of the year, having retained their Arnold Clark Cup crown in February.
It was a perfect challenge before the World Cup and a timely reminder that England are not invincible, even though it has felt that way at times in the last 12 months. There is competition for places up front and Lauren Hemp showed why she should be starting with her movement down the left causing problems for Brazil. Toone, who has gone from super-sub to starter since the Euros, also took her opportunity to cement her place in midfield in the absence of injured Chelsea star Fran Kirby and got a goal to show for her efforts.
The second half showed England still have some improvements to make in defence – although they did react to Brazil’s more direct approach as the game wore on. The Lionesses have shown mental resilience in abundance under Wiegman’s management and this victory was another example of that as they delivered when it mattered most.