THE Lionesses returned home under the Wembley arch to face off against fierce rivals, Germany, who were looking to wreak revenge on the side that pipped them to the Euros title.
What could’ve been a repeat score for the Lionesses from the Euros 2022 final, the score left them wondering what went wrong, losing 4-3.
Managers Sarina Wiegman for England and Christian Wück for Germany put out strong lineups for their sides.
England’s starting XI: Hannah Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright, Leah Williamson, Jess Carter, Georgia Stanway, Keira Walsh, Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo and Beth Mead.
Germany’s starting XI: Ann-Katrin Berger, Sarai Linder, Janina Minge, Sjoeke Nüsken, Giulia Gwinn, Linda Dallman, Klara Bühl, Elisa Senss, Jule Brand, Sara Doorsoun, Giovanna Hoffman.
It started off with a dominant start by Germany, netting two goals in eleven minutes.
Millie Bright conceded a penalty after a controversial foul on Linda Dallmann. The spot kick was then converted cleanly by Giulia Gwinn.
England had an opportunity to equalise to the Bronze Medal winners from this year’s Olympics as Ella Toone backheel assisted Alessia Russo who slotted it home – however it was ruled offside.
England’s defence were caught sleeping once again as Gwinn doubled for her nation a few short minutes later when she beat Jess Carter in her run and slotted it home.
Klara Bühl put her team ahead once again as her pace let her beat Lioness veteran Lucy Bronze in the box as she sent the ball into the back of the net, leaving England in the dust.
The home side managed to pull two back through midfielder, Georgia Stanway.
Stanway netted the second brace of the night with a penalty in the 33rd minute after a handball was committed by Gwinn which needed a VAR check by referee Marta Huerta De Aza.
The Bayern Munich midfielder’s second goal came from a close range shot assisted by Arsenal’s Beth Mead as she chipped the ball over Ann Katrin-Berger who had already dived for the ball.
As the second half rolled in the Lionesses needed to pull out something special to beat the European Giants who they beat once before however the visiting side weren’t going to make this an easy mission for them.
Jule Brand got another chance to strengthen her nation’s lead but yet again was ruled offside, much to the England fans in the stand delight.
There was an incident between Alessia Russo and Pia-Sophia Wolter in the box just after a Germany free kick which resulted in the third and final penalty kick of the night.
Substitute Sabrina Dabritz, calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net, just missing Hannah Hampton between the sticks.
Hemp then followed with the next goal of the night but just like Alessia Russo and Jule Brand, it was ruled offside and England were left fighting at the death to take the lead.
Lucy Bronze netted England’s third goal and her 16th international goal as the ball slipped through Ann Katrin-Berger’s hands after a Lauren Hemp free kick.
Bronze met the ball at the back post to give England one last hope to potentially equalise.
With ten minutes left to spare, England tried to put one more past Germany but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
Despite the result, what a cracker of a game that was – two of the fiercest rivals in international football, 7 goals, 3 offside goals and 3 penalties.
This only hints to us what type of football we will all see at the European Championships in July 2025.
But it will also be an eyeopener for the Lionesses for what they need to improve upon for next summer and there will be lots of aspects they can take away from this match.
England will look to get back to winning ways as they face off against South Africa at Coventry Building Society Arena.
