England Lose to Germany in 7-Goal Thriller.

Friday evening's match was the first meeting of the two sides since England's 2-1 victory over Germany in the Women’s Euros in 2022, which was also held at Wembley. The prestige of the last meeting between the two sides meant that although this match was only a friendly, there was lots riding on it for fans of both nations. 

Kick-off :

Germany started the game on the front foot following a loose pass which Dallmann intercepted and looked to be through on goal. She was then brought down in the box by Bright. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and the English defender was given a yellow. Gwinn stepped up to the spot and sent the ball past Hampton and into the bottom left corner, despite the Chelsea goalkeeper guessing the correct way.

Only minutes later, Walsh played a long ball down the pitch to Ella Toone, who completed a back-heel pass into Russo who made the ball hit the back of the net, but the goal was deemed to be offside so didn’t stand.

In response to the counterattack, Germany was quick to double their lead following a cross from Bühl into the German captain, who found herself lots of space and scored again with a fabulous finish.

Despite the score line, following a positive passage of play for England, Russo struck the ball on the right side of the box where it narrowly missed the goal and instead hit the woodwork.

England found themselves under pressure, but thankfully Hampton cleared her lines causing the deficit to remain at 2 goals. However, Germany soon found their third goal in the 29th minute, when a ruthless counter-attack led to Klara Bühl getting past Bronze and scoring.

Hemp then sent a low cross into the box which met Gwinn‘s hand and resulted in a handball within the box. Georgia Stanway stepped up to take the penalty, and confidently sent it past Berger into the bottom.

Minutes later, Stanway claimed her brace following a fluid passage of play, where Mead unselfishly played the ball out to the Bayern midfielder, who finished it by powerfully sending the ball past Berger and into the back of the net.

The chance for England to equalise came after Ella Toone intercepted a loose pass from Doorsun and looked to have the perfect opportunity to shoot 1-1 with the German keeper, but the ball narrowly missed the German goal.

Minutes before halftime, Germany dispossessed England in the midfield, leading to a long-range shot from Dallmann which forced Hampton into a fingertip save, causing the ball to hit the crossbar.

Half time: England 2 - 3 Germany

Only minutes after the restart, Germany hit the back of the net through a goal from Cerci, but the offside flag was raised and the goal did not stand. 

Jule Brand then was presented with a chance of a short-range goal, but Hampton pulled off an excellent save denying the German the goal.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Dallmann won a free kick for Germany which Hampton was able to clear, but only into the box. In an act to defend, Russo reached out for the ball, but in the process was said to have caught Wolter. The referee deemed it to be a penalty which Däbritz stepped up and scored for Germany.

In response Englan was hunting for chances to reduce the deficit and in the 77th minute of the match Lauren Hemp carried out a clinical finish, just for the goal to be called offside and not stand. 

Following the disallowed goal, Mead won a free kick which was taken by Hemp. The ball looked as though it was heading towards Berger, but the German goalkeeper fumbled causing her to lose it and it fell to Lucy Bronze who completed a composed finish. 

Manchester City midfielder Jess Park conceded a free kick to Brand, but her club teammate completed a clearance of the inevitable strike which followed from Cerci.

England continued in their search for the equaliser, but at full time fell short, granting the visitors the win.  

Full Time: England 3 - 4 Germany 

The 3-4 score line to England will not be favoured by many English supporters, mainly due to the expectation which is placed on the national team following them bringing England’s first silverware home in over 50 years. Disappointment may also come because the last time the Lionesses conceded 4 goals at home was in 1997 also against Germany and it is the first time that they have been defeated in the last 5 years at Wembley.

This Game will be pivotal for both teams in terms of preparing for nexts summers European Campionship in terms of the managers choosing their. Players, but also allowing bonds to form on the pitch following retirements and injuries for both teams since the last major tournament. 

England XI (4-3-3):

Hampton; Bronze (Le Tissier 82’), Bright, Williamson (Greenwood 61’), Carter; Stanway, Toone (Park 46’), Walsh; Mead (Naz 82’), Russo (Kelly 73’), Hemp

England Unused Subs:

Earps, Morgan, Beever-Jones, Clinton, Moorhouse, Parker

Manager:

Sarina Weigman 

Goals:

Stanway 33’,36’, Bronze 81’

Germany XI (4-2-3-1):

Berger; Gwinn (Wolter 63’), Doorsun (Kleinherne 68’), Minge, Linder (Rauch 46’); Nüsken (Däbritz 62’), Senß; Brand, Dallmann, Bühl (Endemann 81’); Hoffmann (Cerci 46’)

Germany Unused Subs:

Anyomi, Gräwe, Johannes, Lohmann, Winkler

Manager: 

Christian Wück

Goals:

Gwinn 4’,11’, Buhl 29’, Däbritz 72’