- Victory in the first Women’s Finalissima goes to Europe: England beats Brazil at Wembley on penalty shootout.
- In the 1st half England take the lead after a superbly played goal from Ella Toone.
- Andressa Alves only scored the 1-1 equalizer for Brazil in added time in regular time.
Over 83,000 fans attended Wembley in London to watch the first Women’s Finalissima live. The visit was worth it: England and Brazil showed a game at a high level, which remained exciting until the end and was finally decided in the penalty shootout. This was the better end for the English: while the Brazilians, Tamires and Rafaelle, missed two shooters, only Ella Toone missed the European champions.
The main reason that penalties were taken at all was that the Brazilians never gave up and believed in their chance until the last second. This mentality was rewarded with the late equaliser. England keeper Mary Earps was unable to properly hold a cross into the penalty area. Andressa Alves was ready and scored from close range to equalize 1-1.
England combination brings the goal
The Brazilians deserved the equalizer thanks to an increase in performance in the second round. In the first half they left the dictates of the game to the English and didn’t see much of the ball, but after the change of sides they increasingly looked for the offensive.
This improvement in performance from the Copa America winners was also necessary, because previously England had taken the lead after a magnificent combination. With strong ball possession, the “Lionesses” pushed their opponents into their own half and still found the crucial gap. After 16 passes through their own ranks, the last pass came to Toone, who confidently scored 1-0.
England with the “Finalissima equalizer”
While South America had triumphed in the Finalissima for the men – Argentina beat Italy 3-0 – Europe emerged as the winner for the women. In the “Finalissima” ranking between Europe and South America it is now 1:1.