LONDON – Defending European Champion England added another hit to their goal columns with a win over the current World Cup champions, USA, during a friendly match at Wembley Stadium. Lionesses won 2-1, with Georgia Stanwaypenalty of the following difference Lauren Hemp and Sophia Smith both happened.
Here are the takeaways from the thrilling October international friendly between two of the world’s best women’s national teams as both sides prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
CLICK: Player Rating | Best/worst actor | Outstanding and remarkable moments | Quotes after the game | Key stats | Upcoming furniture
Rapid response
1. He proved himself against world champions
Who is the big dog in world football? That’s the question of what remains, at the end of the day, just a friendly with very little basics about it.
England’s narrow victory may have come down as a result of the European champions, who combined well with the visitors, but it was a bit bigger than that. It is a broader example not only of the team showing they are no longer afraid of an American team known for making opponents uncomfortable, but also of the team’s ability to be more flexible in Sarina Wiegman’s system. The selection of Lauren Hemp at centre-back after Ellen White’s retirement and Alessia Russo’s late injury should have thrown the line off balance, but the winger showed his intelligence even in defence. looks less than perfect with Williamson.
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For the US, who are still trying to recover from a disastrous performance (by their standards) at the Olympics more than a year ago, the match once again raised more questions than it answered. Even as Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma shine for their countries, doing all they can to book their World Cup tickets next summer, the fragility of the midfield without Julie Ertz long-term has proven show difference.
2. The US committed a VAR error
With VAR not as popular in women’s football as it is in men’s football, it is still novel that the referee stops to control a monitor on the side of the field and wonders their assessment. Riem Hussein, who fell into the VAR line when she gave Ellen White a penalty against Norway at the Euros, became the subject of talk at Wembley again when she paused the game to confer with VAR twice during the first half and once after the break. .
The German official first jogged to the screen to review a high heel that Lucy Bronze had walked in the face, deciding to award a penalty to England and a yellow card to Hailie Mace after the review. Then, when the United States appeared to have pulled the level late in the inning, the restart was delayed as those in the technical booth confirmed a barely visible offside during the build-up, before When she struggled then she was awarded a penalty for a handball. hit Hemp in the back.
Given the technology used at the major tournaments of women’s football, there are few complaints about its application at such a friendly match as much as there can be no heavy controversy over the foul on Dong, but it’s exactly the type of communication that should have been picked up in real time. Similarly, the free-kick Hussein awarded the United States didn’t appear to be anywhere near Hemp’s arm as she jumped, much behind before the shot. The video assistant’s involvement, as always, is solely intended to raise questions about the standard of refereeing in the game.
3. Sloppy football reigns supreme
There was a nasty sloppiness to the game that inexplicably took on some of the characteristics of a pre-season friendly. The players ran into each other, fell without pressure and at one point, Millie Bright gloriously and inadvertently blocked a shot from her back. In a match that was widely considered to be almost or will be the World Cup final, Wembley Stadium lacked a thick layer of glossy paint.
Of course, there are distractions off the pitch that need to be taken into account, like there are magical moments when the likes of Sophia Smith and Georgia Stanway have the ball. However, the clumsy nature of the game shined through as England had to secure their place as European champions and the US continued to search for a clear identity under Vlatko Andonovski.
Player Rating
England (4-2-3-1): Mary Earps 5; Lucy dong 5, Millie Bright 5, Alex Greenwood 6, Rachel Daly 6; Georgia Stanway 8, Keira Walsh Number 7; Beth Mead 7, Fran Kirby 6, Chloe Kelly 6; Lauren Hemp 7.
Register: Ella Toone 6, Lauren James 6.
United States (4-3-3): Alyssa Naeher 5; Sofia Huerta 7, Alana Cook 5, Naomi Girma 7, Emily Fox 5; Trinity Rodman 6, Lindsey Horan 6, Andi Sullivan 6; lavender roses 6, Sophia Smith 8, Megan Rapinoe 7.
Register: Hailie Mace 4, Sam Coffey 6, Crystal Dunn 6, Ashley Sanchez 6, Becky Sauerbrunn 6, Alyssa Thompson 6.
Best and worst performers
BEST: Sophia Smith, FW, US
A live wire for the USA all afternoon, who took her smooth club form to the international level. Really deserves more than a goal.
WORKING: Hailie Mace, DF, US
Forced to be substituted in the first half for Fox, Mace spent most of the game reducing pace and defence.
Outstanding and remarkable moments
Both teams showed solidarity and protest ahead of the game, amid a difficult week for the sport after the Yates report released on Monday and its focus on misconduct and abuse. systematic use throughout the NWSL.
England and the United States women’s national team players released a banner before the game started on Friday at Wembley Stadium to show their support for victims of sexual abuse sex.
Both teams also wore blue captain’s armbands to show solidarity. pic.twitter.com/5cu8KqGc8K
– ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2022
It looked like they would be held to a 2-2 draw before halftime after a suspenseful display of attacking prowess… but how the hell is this offside?
What could have been
This goal from Trinity Rodman was not authorized by VAR pic.twitter.com/JemzMWDCQD
– FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 7, 2022
After the game: What the manager, the players say
“It was really intense, just what we wanted. America played as we expected, sometimes they made it difficult for us. I think we played well in the moments, in the innings. a better second half… Whatever happens, we know this is just a starting point for the World Cup, but it shows you’re at a very high level.” – England coach Sarina Wiegman
“I think we did very well, especially in the first half. We created a lot of chances and were also fantastic. Another game on Tuesday and we are looking forward to that.” – England striker Lauren Hemp
Key stats
– USA is 0-3-3 (WLD) when conceding the first goal in the past six games. Their last win when conceding first was on August 2, 2018, against Brazil (4-1).
– The win extended England’s unbeaten streak to 23 matches in all competitions
Next
England: Sarina Wiegman’s side have a friendly against the Czech Republic on Tuesday following the USWNT’s visit to Wembley. Since then, the Lionesses and the reigning Euro champions will not be active until November, when they will face a friendly pairing against Japan (November 11) and Norway (November 15).
USA: The US has another game ahead against Spain on Tuesday, with a home friendly in November against Euro 2022 runners-up Germany scheduled for November 10 and May 13. 11. “Playing against Germany in the final games of the year would be ideal for us. Preparing for the World Cup for all of our players and coaching staff, but it’s also fantastic for us. all the fans,” said US team head coach Vlatko Andonovski. “US-Germany has always been one of the most exciting matches in international women’s football, and it’s also a confrontation that has a great history.”
