England beat Brazil on penalties to win inaugural Finalissima at packed Wembley Stadium

Ben Southby

England became the first winners of the Finalissima after beating Brazil in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.

Chloe Kelly was the Wembley hero again, scoring the winning penalty to etch the record-breaking Lionesses into history once more.

Ella Toone gave England the advantage when she hammered home the opening goal after a fast start, and were only undone when substitute Andressa Alves latched onto a loose ball spilt by England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

The game went straight to a penalty shout-out, where England held their nerve to win 4-2.

England threatened Brazil early on and caused problems down the channels in the opening stages.

Lucy Bronze tested Leticia Izidoro with a fierce long-range strike as she enjoyed free rein floating into midfield from right-back, but the goalkeeper did well to beat the Barcelona defender’s effort away.

England’s early pressure and patience paid dividends when Toone struck from 10 yards out to give Sarina Wiegman’s side the lead in her 30th appearance.

Bronze and Georgia Stanway played a quick one-two before the former was in a position to steer a low cross back towards Toone who had surged into the box, before smashing a shot into the bottom left corner.

England had the ball in the back of the net again six minutes later courtesy of Lauren James with a high finish into the roof of the net, but she had made her run early and drifted into an offside position.

James was involved in another England attack when she floated a cross into the six-yard box where Lauren Hemp was lurking, but had her close-range header saved at point-blank range.

Russo and James both looked to double England’s lead minutes before the break. Russo was the recipient of a pass from Bronze – who had an excellent first half – but saw her first-time effort saved, before James’ curled strike from the edge of the box whistled wide.

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 06: Ella Toone of England celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the Women´s Finalissima 2023 match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium on April 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Harriet Lander – The F

Image credit: Eurosport

England started the second half sloppily, and were given a warning when Brazil came close to an equaliser. An unmarked Adriana couldn’t convert Geyse’s cross, completely miscuing her finish in front of goal.

Brazil threatened again when Toone was dispossessed 25 yards from goal and Geyse – who became a thorn in England’s side in the second half – struck well but Earps was able to tip the lobbed attempt onto the bar.

The Lionesses pulled their socks up and the momentum shifted back towards the hosts, as Hemp had a shot on the edge of the box well saved by a strong Leticia hand.

Leah Williamson came to England’s aid when she crucially intercepted a cross from Bia Zaneratto, who had stolen the ball from Alex Greenwood before looking for an unmarked Geyse in the box, but Williamson stepped in at the right time as the only remaining defender to clear the danger.

Brazil left it late, but they snatched an equaliser in added time through substitute Alves, who pounced on Earps’ spilt cross to fire the leveller into the roof of the net and take the game straight to penalties.

Stanway and Adrina scored the opening penalties despite both goalkeepers getting a strong hand on the ball, before Toone had her spot-kick saved.

Tamires stepped up with the opportunity to give Brazil the advantage, but Earps reacted well to keep her low effort out.

Daly fired her penalty past Leticia to put England 2-1 ahead, and then Brazil captain and Arsenal star Rafaelle rattled the crossbar with Brazil’s next attempt.

Kerolin cancelled out Greenwood’s goal to make it 3-2 but it was advantage England, as Kelly hammered home the winner.

Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here

Related Posts
Grombrindal Gets new Model for 500th Issue of White Dwarf thumbnail

Grombrindal Gets new Model for 500th Issue of White Dwarf

April 22, 2024 | | Author David Hollingsworth White Dwarf's 500th Issue is fast approaching, and Grombrindal is ready for it with a brand new model. The iconic White Dwarf himself will not only grace the cover of the long-running magazine once again, but will get a new model to celebrate. First launched in 1977
Read More
The head of Stellantis stated the danger of electric cars thumbnail

The head of Stellantis stated the danger of electric cars

Ці автомобілі, а точніше їх інтенсивна розробка можуть завдати серйозної шкоди автомобільній індустрії. Карлос Траверс вважає, що повна заборона на продаж у Євросоюзі автомобілів з ДВЗ не має економічного сенсу і не залишає автовиробникам вибору щодо визначення стратегії з досягнення повної вуглецевої нейтральності. Різкий перехід на електрокари несе в собі лише політичний підтекст і не…
Read More
The Thunder pulled off the funniest shot clock violation of all time thumbnail

The Thunder pulled off the funniest shot clock violation of all time

For 24 magical seconds in third quarter, Thunder guard Ty Jerome decided to put the game in his hands. The result wasn’t a magical buzzer beater, or a play that made national TV, but instead the most pointless possession of the season. Jerome did something as impressive as anything I’ve seen in basketball by doing…
Read More
A la FIA, Bayer confirme que Michael Masi pourrait être remplacé thumbnail

A la FIA, Bayer confirme que Michael Masi pourrait être remplacé

La Formule 1 pourrait bien avoir un nouveau directeur de course en 2022 après le controversé Grand Prix d’Abu Dhabi. Ce n’est plus de la spéculation mais bien une déclaration du nouveau responsable des monoplaces de la FIA, Peter Bayer, qui mène actuellement l’enquête. Peter Bayer, également secrétaire général e la FIA, l’admet : "Michael a…
Read More
Index Of News
Total
0
Share