It was deja vu at a jumping Wembley, as Chloe Kelly scored the winner in the inaugural Finalissima, this time in a penalty shootout. Kelly had been the hero last summer, scoring the extra-time winner to seal victory in the Euro 2022 final against Germany. This time the stakes weren’t as high, but another trophy was secured, and manager Sarina Wiegmans’s unbeaten run was extended to 30 games, with the Dutch manager yet to experience defeat with her European champions.
A stunning team goal had torn apart Copa América Femenina champions Brazil in the first half, but Andressa Alves’ injury time strike forced a shootout. Goalkeeper Mary Earps would atone for her fumble conceding the goal, by stopping Tamires strike and watching as Brazil captain Rafaelle’s strike smashed off the bar.
It was another test passed, another box ticked off and another crowd-pleasing result.
It was a strong starting XI from the England manager, who had hinted that there would be less room for experimentation against Brazil and Australia than there had been at the Arnold Clark Cup in February. Excluding injuries, she fielded a team very close to the one that will likely feature at the World Cup in July, with Millie Bright’s absence allowing Alex Greenwood to start alongside centre-back Leah Williamson and Jess Carter slotting in at left-back. Meanwhile, Lauren James began in place of long-term absentee Beth Mead, favoured over Kelly, who scored the winner in the final of the Euros.
Six of the XI that started the Euro 2022 final last year remained. Likewise, there were six changes from the Brazil team that secured an eighth Copa América Femenina the day before the Lionesses’ Euros triumph. Brazil were without key players Marta, Ludmilla and Debinha for the trip to England though, while Copa America top scorer Adriana was a surprise omission from the starting line-up.
It is a testament to the impact of the Euros win that Wembley was awash with fans by lunchtime for the 7.45pm kick off. It is an even bigger testament that that no longer feels strange. A sold-out Wembley is the Lionesses new normal, and it is accelerating the growth of the game beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.
Investment, support, structural change and time has built the success on the pitch, delivering the environment in which the players can thrive. Brazil meanwhile, are still waiting for that lightbulb moment.
Manager Pia Sundhage pointed to that prior to the match, saying it was “time that Brazil steps up” and lays the foundations for future success.
On the pitch at Wembley, it was England’s flair and not the Brazil team’s that had the crowd drooling. A beautifully worked team goal in the 23rd minute was the result. It took five passes to take the ball from back to front, and James was key, releasing Lucy Bronze on the right. The full-back played a one-two with Georgia Stanway before pulling the ball back into the middle of the box for Toone to glide in.
James’ inclusion ahead of an in-form Kelly was both a surprise and expected at the same time. The 21-year-old Chelsea forward has been in phenomenal form, and the magic that makes her arguably the most technically gifted English footballer since Kelly Smith was on display against Brazil. Every time James gets on the ball, no matter the space available or the players around her, the casual ease with which she can shrug off, wriggle free and provide the unexpected makes her a potent weapon.
There was a sign of the bright England future of James not long after the half-hour mark, with a flick on for Bronze who sent it back to her to lift over Leticia into the roof of the net. The move was beautiful, but James was offside and the fine finish was consigned to the dustbin of history.
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After the break Brazil was a different beast. Beatriz Zaneratto made way for Adriana and Lauren was swapped for Andressa Alves and the South American side sprang to life, giving England’s defence the toughest test of 2023. The Lionesses’ slick play had broken down and a full stretch Mary Earps would maintain the narrow lead, palming 24-year-old Barcelona forward Geyse’s strike on to the top of the bar.
Wiegman’s side would get a foothold back with 20 minutes to play, with Carter causing confusion in the box and forcing a corner before Stanway forced a save from Leticia with a strike from 20 yards out.
James struggled to get on the ball in the second half and would be hooked off for the fresh legs of Kelly. Meanwhile Rachel Daly replaced centre forward Alessia Russo, having been shifted forward from her Euros left-back berth following her performances leading the line for Aston Villa in the WSL.
The end wasn’t particularly pretty, England’s flair ditched for a more dogged performance, but Wiegman’s team failed to overcame wave after wave of Brazilian attack unscathed. It was an uncharacteristic error from Earps that led to the equaliser, the goalkeeper fumbling a bouncing cross into the box allowing Andressa to poke in from close range to force a penalty shootout.
Stanway stepped up first, firing past Leticia before Earps’ hand failed to keep out Adriana’s strike. Leticia denied Toone, diving the right way before Earps stopped Tamires’s strike. To draw the sides level once more, Daly’s penalty was emphatic, but Arsenal centre-back and Brazil captain Rafaelle smashed hers off the top of the bar. Greenwood struck low into the corner and Kerolin did the same. But Kelly’s strike would seal the deal and deliver a lesser seen England penalty win.
