England have proven yet again that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. After conceding a late equaliser in the Women’s Finalissima against Brazil, the Lionesses responded by winning a penalty shootout in front of 83,132 fans at Wembley Stadium. This was the test England needed in order to prepare for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and they passed it with flying colours.
The resilience of the team has been demonstrated before, with Chloe Kelly’s infamous winner in extra time against Germany in the Euro 2022 final and a victory over world champions USA in a friendly at Wembley. This latest win marks their 30th unbeaten match, showing that winning silverware has become a habit for them.
Sarina Wiegman was pleased with the result, but admitted that her team had lost control in the second half. She said that the game brought them a lot of information and that they needed this experience in order to prepare for the World Cup. Chelsea manager Emma Hayes commented that it was something to be proud of, and that it tested England more than any other game since the Euros. Former England midfielder Karen Carney added that it was a valuable experience for them, as they had been able to take penalties in front of a big crowd which they hadn’t done in a long time.
The team’s star goalkeeper Mary Earps made a mistake which led to Brazil’s equaliser, but she responded with an important save in the shootout. Her teammates celebrated with her, showing that they have a strong mentality and love winning. This victory marks another box ticked for England as they continue to prove their worth on the international stage.