{"id":90493,"date":"2022-10-08T02:25:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-08T02:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/georgia-stanway-penalty-gives-england-victory-over-world-champions-usa-england-womens-football-team\/"},"modified":"2022-10-08T02:25:01","modified_gmt":"2022-10-08T02:25:01","slug":"georgia-stanway-penalty-gives-england-victory-over-world-champions-usa-england-womens-football-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/georgia-stanway-penalty-gives-england-victory-over-world-champions-usa-england-womens-football-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Stanway penalty gives England victory over world champions USA | England women’s football team"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On a night dominated by a moving show of unity, the Lionesses edged the USA, winning a thrillingly open battle between the European champions and world champions 2-1 to maintain Sarina Wiegman’s unbeaten run as England manager.<\/p>\n

England’s win over the World Cup holders was their first since an 89th-minute goal from Ellen White gave them victory in the 2017 SheBelieves Cup, and it was only their third ever win against the Americans in 19 games. The gap, though, is closer than ever, with the Football Association investing heavily from top to bottom in a bid to bridge it.<\/p>\n

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This fixture always matters, because it is the young pretenders up against the world’s best, but it was dripping with extra poignancy. To mark the 50th anniversary of the first official England women’s match on 18 November, 12 members of the original 1972 squad took to the field clutching the long overdue caps they had been presented with before the match. Close to 150 former and current players were also presented to the crowd at half-time.<\/p>\n

The game has come a long way. But the celebrations of just how far women’s football has come, with this fixture the fastest-selling England game \u2013 men’s or women’s \u2013 at the new Wembley were tempered by moving acknowledgments of just how far there is to go, even in one of the most advanced women’s footballing nations.<\/p>\n

The Sally Yates report, which found emotional and sexual abuses to be \u201csystemic\u201d within women’s domestic football in the US was published on Monday. In solidarity during a traumatic week for the US women’s national team, all players took to the field wearing teal armbands, the Wembley arch was lit in the color that represents the campaign against sexual violence, and both sides stood united behind a \u201cProtect the players \u201d banner before kick-off.<\/p>\n

There had been questions about whether the US players would take part in these games, with Spain up next in this international window. The head coach, Vlatko Andonovski, had said the squad would be given whatever support they required and could sit out training, meetings and matches as they needed because \u201cthis is more than a game\u201d.<\/p>\n

However players \u2013 and this US team in particular \u2013 are used to playing through the pain and struggle, in the knowledge that we still live in a time where, unfortunately, success on the pitch is critical to forcing hands and change off it.<\/p>\n

Both teams were missing key players for the Wembley showdown. Alex Morgan, who has been in electric form, Catarina Macario and Tobin Heath were among the many names to be ruled out through injury before the US squad was even announced, while Taylor Kornieck and Mal Pugh were both withdrawals. For England there was no Alessia Russo or Leah Williamson.<\/p>\n

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<\/svg><\/span>Lauren Hemp slots the ball past Alyssa Naeher to put England 1-0 ahead.<\/span> Photograph: Tom Jenkins\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Instead of Russo, Lauren Hemp led the line, with Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly either side of her.<\/p>\n

For the visiting team, the potent young duo Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith lined up alongside veteran Megan Rapinoe in a front three. That potency was almost demonstrated instantly as Smith swept in on the left but her effort on goal was tame and easy for Mary Earps.<\/p>\n

It took 10 minutes for the European champions to put the USA behind for the first time in 22 games. Mead was critical, the golden ball and golden boot winner at the Euros flying forward on the right and swinging a cross into the middle. The centre-back Alana Cook could only propel the ball into the path of Hemp with her sliding body and the Manchester City forward slotted past Alyssa Naeher.<\/p>\n

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