England vs Brazil LIVE: Result, final score and reaction as Lionesses win Finalissima via penalty shootout
England 1-1 Brazil (England win 4-2 on penalties): Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses triumph in first ever Women’s Finalissima
A tale of two halves created a wonderful showpiece at Wembley for the inaugural Women’s Finalissima. The champions of Europe and the champions of South America clashed in front of a packed house in a game that had excitement, goals and late drama before ultimately being decided via a penalty shootout.
England dominated the first half after Brazil set up with a low block to keep them quiet. The Lionesses controlled possession and set the tempo of the game. Lucy Bronze was exceptional on the right side and proved to be a vital part of England’s attacking play. She was fed the ball by Lauren James before setting up Ella Toone in the box to create the opening goal.
At half-time it seemed as though England would run away with the match but Brazil rallied perfectly. A change of shape and personnel gave the visitors more control in midfield and they came flying out of the blocks for the second half. An aggressive press put the Lionesses under intense pressure and Brazil were rewarded in stoppage time when Andressa Alves turned a dropped ball from Mary Earps into the back of the net.
That forced a penalty shootout but Earps redeemed herself by keeping Tamires’ effort wide of the post and tipping Rafaelle’s strike onto the crossbar. Chloe Kelly - England’s Euros hero - then stepped up for the deciding spot kick and powered it home to give England victory.
Relive all the action as England take on Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima:
England 1-0 Brazil
84 mins: Chloe Kelly swings a cross into the box from the right and Lauren Hemp takes a whack on the nose from Antonia who defends and heads the ball clear.
Hemp’s nose begins to bleed and she needs some treatment from the medics.
England 1-0 Brazil
81 mins: Antonia is hit by a strong tackle from Lauren Hemp who desperately lunges towards the ball in the middle of the pitch. Hemp collects a yellow card.
Brazil then work the ball to Geyse who dispossesses Walsh inside England’s box before getting tackled by Jess Carter.
England 1-0 Brazil
78 mins: Lauren Hemp times her run down the left wing expertly as the ball is chipped over the top. She brings it under control and drives into the box.
The opportunity to cross early was there but Hemp decides to hold onto the ball and play the cutback which then gets cleared away.
England 1-0 Brazil
75 mins: Just quarter of an hour to play and England continue to struggle with the intensity of Brazil. The hosts haven’t been able to translate their possession into an equaliser.
Mary Earps gets booked for delaying a restart and time-wasting.
England 1-0 Brazil
72 mins: Brazil make their third sub as Duda Francelino replaces Luana.
Lauren James and Alessia Russo are taken off by Sarina Wiegman with Rachel Daly and Chloe Kelly brought on to replace them.
England 1-0 Brazil
69 mins: Save! Lauren Hemp brings the ball down the left before slipping it inside to Ella Toone. Toone rolls the ball along to Georgia Stanway who sees some space open up in front of her just outside the box.
Stanway shoots and forces another decent stop out of Leticia who falls to the right and palms the ball away.
England 1-0 Brazil
66 mins: That’s better from England. They earn themselves a period of possession and slickly work the ball up the pitch. Twice Ella Toone gets into the box but the Lionesses only win a corner as Jess Carter’s cross is pushed out of play.
England 1-0 Brazil
63 mins: Kerolin and Ary are dominating England in midfield now. Both players are utilising their strength and speed to push up and put the Lionesses under pressure.
A ranged effort from Kerolin is deflected behind but the visitors make a hash out of the corner and stray offside from a short pass.
England 1-0 Brazil
60 mins: Save! Ella Toone dallies on the ball in the centre of the pitch and Brazil poke it forward to Geyse. She turns the ball towards goal and smokes a lovely shot at the target.
It’s swerving around and Mary Earps can only push it up onto the top of the crossbar as Geyse looks to the sky in disbelief.
England 1-0 Brazil
57 mins: Chance! That was the moment Brazil should have equalised. Geyse - who has been exceptional since the restart - drifts out to the right side of the pitch and collects the ball.
She weaves into the box and lifts the ball over to Ary. The midfielder is wide open and goes for the volley but she misses the ball and England scramble to clear the danger!
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