The Lionesses returned to the Wembley stage last night, aiming to maintain their bragging rights over Germany, but narrowly fell short with a 3-4 defeat.
Sarina Wiegman’s side found themselves struggling to control the game, leading to Germany claiming a three-goal advantage within the first 30 minutes.
Within the opening three minutes, Millie Bright had gifted Germany the opportunity to put the first of the three in the back of the net. A loose pass from Williamson fell at the feet of Linda Dallmann, leaving Bright no option but to conduct a poorly timed tackle, taking down Klara Buhl in the area. Referee Marta Huerta de Aza showed Bright a yellow, before pointing to the penalty spot. Germany captain, Giulia Gwinn, converted from the spot, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Alessia Russo was quick to take action in an attempt to equalise. A backheel cross from Toone saw the striker unmarked within the box, leaving her ample opportunity to score. Russo guided the ball into the top corner but calls for offside overruled the goal.
Germany’s high press saw England’s defence in shambles by only the eleventh minute, when the German’s slotted their second of the game home. Gwinn worked an opening on the right before receiving a side pass from Brand. Gwinn then powered the ball into the back of the net, claiming her second of the night.
Just before the half-hour mark, Hoffman picked out Bühl in the box, sending a long pass flying down the wing. Lucy Bronze attempted to clear the ball, but Bühl got there first, sending the ball straight through her legs. Hannah Hampton appeared stunned in the box, making little attempt to save the ball.
Only five minutes later, Gwinn gifted England a chance at regaining some sort of control within the scoreline. A fall from the captain when intercepting a cross from Hemp saw a raised hand connect with the ball. VAR cleared the decision as a penalty, with Georgia Stanway standing to take it. Stanway guided the ball into the left side of the net, millimetres away from the touch of Germany’s goalkeeper.
Stanway then capitalised on an excellent Arsenal link-up between Russo and Mead to give England their second, only three minutes later. A cross from Russo to Mead saw Stanway drop into a deep space, freeing herself up to strike the ball into the centre of the net.
HALF-TIME: England 2-3 Germany
The second half obtained less drama than the first, but still provided a thrilling goal-fest.
Germany came close to retaining their two-goal advantage within the opening minutes of the second half. After spotting Hampton off her line, Dallman rounded Stanway, sending the ball into the safety of the Chelsea keeper’s hands.
Jule Brand closely followed this attempt, netting a goal that was ruled offside.
Germany continued to place pressure on the England defence, often resulting in a misshaped backline that were conceding too many chances.
In the 77th minute, Germany converted another from the spot after Russo narrowly clipped Sophie Walter in the box. Sara Dabritz strode forwards to calmly collect the ball, before dispatching it into the net, making it 4-2.
Lucy Bronze then finished the game off in the 81st minute, capitalising on a goalkeeping error from Berger. Hemp hit a harmless free kick into the hands of Berger, who managed to let the ball slip from her grasp. Bronze turned the ball in, giving England their third and final goal of the game.
Full-Time: England 3-4 Germany
Teamsheets:
ENGLAND- H.Hampton, L.Bronze, J.Carter, M.Bright, L.Williamson (C), K.Walsh, E.Toone, G.Stanway, L.Hemp, A.Russo, B.Mead
Scorers: G.Stanway (Pen.) (33’), G.Stanway (36’), L.Bronze (81’)
GERMANY- A.K.Berger, G.Gwinn (C), S.Doorsoun, J.Minge, S.Linder, L.Dallmann, E.Senb, J.Brand, S.Nüsken, K.Bühl, G.Hoffmann
Scorers: G.Gwinn (Pen.) (4’), G.Gwinn (11’), K.Bühl(29’), S.Dabritz (Pen.) (72’)
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza
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