England 1-1 Brazil (4-2 on pens)
By Adam Millington
at Wembley Stadium

ENGLAND won the crown of the best team in Europe last summer; now they’re the best team in Europe or South America. Securing their status as the best team in the world seems surely to be on the horizon.

For those who are uninitiated to global footballing bodies’ latest bright ideas, this was a fixture called the Finalissima – a contest between those who win the European Championship, and those who win the Copa America.

With a penalty shootout victory in front of a sold-out Wembley Stadium, England now have another piece of silverware to add to their ever-bulging trophy cabinet. After all, there was a trophy, as well as the usual pyrotechnic trappings which accompany such a big event.

Some might say that it would be cynical to regard a standoff between the greatest in two of football’s hotbeds as feeling like little more than a friendly, but in truth, that’s what it was. 

Facing Brazil – ranked ninth in the world – was always going to be a beneficial test for a Lionesses side who have a triumph at this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in their sights.

And, at times at least, it was. Sarina Wiegman was able to allow her side to strut their customary silky attacking play in front of 83,123, and Brazil were left begging for forgiveness.

First it was Lucy Bronze’s turn, forcing keeper Leticia into an early save to deny the full-back from distance.

The movement of Lauren Hemp and Lauren James on the flanks caused relentless problems as their quick-footed play proved too much to handle. Alessia Russo, meanwhile, toiled up top and made sure the visiting defence could find little respite in the face of her pressure.

Then came the goal which defined first half, a true showpiece of what England were looking to display. James and Leah Williamson swept the ball from left to right, the former guided it to Bronze out wide, and after a quick one-two, Ella Toone was at hand to tidily tuck home from close range.

Bronze and James coupled once again soon after and thought they had extended the hosts’ advantage, but James’ well-timed finish was ruled out by the offside flag.

Apart from the early eye-catching moments though, England left little to write home about. They worked well as a unit and passed the ball with pace, but rarely found themselves able to create the final moments they clearly desired.

And after the break England’s lack of impetus was finally put to the test: in the first half they had led not due to their own prowess, but Brazil’s lack thereof; in the second the visitors finally upped their tempo and lethargy was no longer a workable option.

The sloppiness of England’s play rapidly became evident, with wayward passes which had previously gone unnoticed now looking to be glaring mistakes as a reinvigorated Brazil took advantage of any of their errors.

The hosts’ defence had lost its shape and it showed. Geyse was afforded a world of space inside the England box and made the most of her opportunity, her chipping effort only denied by the quick-thinking of Mary Earps, who was able to tip the ball into the air and watch as it dropped onto the crossbar.

Brazil’s adaptations had exposed England’s errors and the visitors found themselves back in the game, but they failed to make their newfound control count. Chances went begging, the final pass could not be found, and England managed to cling on.

The introduction of Rachel Daly from the substitute’s bench to her more natural position as a forward, rather than the full-back role in which she tends to be deployed for country, brought about some added spark, but it wasn’t enough to ignite the game.

England continued to falter and Brazil struck, leaving it late to make the most of their chances. Earps fumbled as a bouncing cross came towards her in the box and Andressa Alves was there to hand her side a lifeline, levelling in injury time.

But while it seemed like this was a fixture which had not tested England on all fronts, at at least allowed them to prove their mettle in one area which has been left untouched during Wiegman’s tenure.

England had their first penalty shootout since the 2011 World Cup, and showed that it isn’t a hurdle which should elicit any worries this summer. Mary Earps was back to her best after earlier foibles, producing a perfectly-timed save to deny Tamires.

And when Chloe Kelly stepped up, triumph was never in doubt. She slammed her effort home from the spot, and with that the Finalissima was wrapped up.

If England wanted the most perfect display of why they have what it takes to be crowned champions of the world, then this was not the right night. Yet they did what it takes to overcome their own errors and grind out a result against one of the better teams in the world, and that in itself should be commendable.