Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty secured England a maiden Women’s Finalissima in a 4-2 victory over Brazil on penalties, after a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.
Ella Toone fired England ahead in the 23rd minute from Lucy Bronze’s cutback pass as the Lionesses dominated the first half, before they dug deep defensively for the majority of the second half.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses though were denied victory as Mary Earps spilled a 93rd minute cross for Andressa Alves to lash in, which sent the tie to penalties.
Toone was the only Lioness to miss as England prevailed 4-2 on penalties with Kelly striking the winning spot-kick.
England consequently became the first-ever winners of the Women’s Finalissima on home soil, which ensured that they’re yet to lose under Wiegman across 30 matches `in all competitions.
Although this was only the fourth meeting between England and Brazil, it was the reigning European champions who started brightest as Hemp quickly broke forward up the left with Georgia Stanway in a series of quick passes, although Hemp’s eventual cross was blocked.
Brazil though sat deep in the early stages and almost conceded a sixth minute penalty as Alessia Russo pounced upon a direct forward long ball from Bronze, only to be fouled and referee – Stephanie Frappart refused to award a spot kick.
Russo one minute later headed over the bar from a corner kick after Rafaelle rolled the ball behind goal under pressure.
England’s pressure continued to build during which Hemp cut across the edge of the box in the 14th minute, which led her to lay the ball across for Bronze to shoot towards bottom-left corner, only for Leticia to make a crucial block.
Brazil however almost took a 19th minute lead as Geyse pounced onto a overhead ball but Jess Carter was alert to crucially block the Brazilian’s shot.
Toone almost won a 22nd minute penalty for England as she drew a foul amidst clever quick-passing play amongst the Lionesses, only for Frappart to deny her a penalty.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses however quickly broke forward again a minute later as Lauren James started a move with the overlapping Bronze on the right, which saw Bronze play a one-two move into the box with Stanway before she cut back for Toone to calmly rifle in the opening goal.
James then almost doubled England’s lead in the 29th minute as she smashed in from close range from a floating direct cross, only to be ruled offside in the buildup.
Bronze then nodded wide from a 37th minute corner and Hemp saw a header saved by Leticia four minutes later, whilst James curled wide of the top right corner in the 44th minute as England finished the first half on top amidst inaccurate finishing.
Brazil changed tactic at half-time and went more attacking as Beatriz and Lauren were substituted for Adriana and Andressa respectively, which paid off quickly as Andressa pounced upon Geyse’s layoff touch but fired straight into Mary Earps’ arms.
Kerolin then rifled wide of the bottom-right corner in the 51st minute before Geyse intercepted Toone’s loose backpass in the 58th minute, only for her on-turn shot to be punched behind over the bar by Earps.
England though sat solid and their first chance of the second half came in the 65th minute, as Carter’s cross from the left caused Leticia to flick the ball behind albeit via Tamires’ faint deflection.
Leah Williamson two minutes later played a long ball up to Hemp who found Stanway to shoot via Toone’s pass, but the Bayern Munich midfielder saw her shot towards the top-left corner denied by a block.
Alex Greenwood almost gifted Brazil a 69th minute equaliser as she found herself intercepted by Geyse but her cutback was cleared by Williamson.
Substitute, Rachel Daly then missed a chance to wrap up a home victory as she met Hemp’s 76th minute direct cross but rifled wide, albeit offside during the buildup.
England proceeded to dominate the closing stages until Earps spilled a cross straight towards Andressa who lashed in from close-range to send the tie to penalties, with no extra-time permitted in this Finalissima.
Stanway and Adriana converted their opening spot kicks but Leticia and Earps saved Toone and Tamires’ penalties, before Daly put England ahead with their third penalty.
Rafaelle proceeded to hit Brazil’s third penalty onto the crossbar before Greenwood added the Lionesses third penalty to put them on the brink of the title, but Kerolin kept Brazil’s dreams alive with a calm strike into the bottom-right corner.
Kelly eventually converted England’s fifth penalty to seal a 4-2 triumph on penalties for England, having previously won them the Euros last summer at Wembley with an extra-time winner over Germany.
Speaking post-match about again scoring a winning goal at Wembley, Kelly described the national stadium as one which “feels like home for me.”
Kelly went on admit that she was excited to take the decisive penalty as she continued: “I was just excited for it, I calmed myself down and was ready to take it. I looked the keeper in the eye and just though I was going to score.”
On adding a fourth trophy under Weigman, Kelly iterated that their main priority is “moving forward” and “building momentum” ready for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in July.
Victory ensured that England remain unbeaten under Wiegman and added a fourth trophy to their cabinet under Wiegman’s reign, having won the Women’s Euros and two Arnold Clark Cup titles in the last 14 months.
What’s Next?
England host Australia in a friendly at Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford on Tuesday 11 April at 7:45pm BST, live on ITV4 in UK.
Brazil visit Germany in a friendly at Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg on the same date but at 6pm CET (5pm UK Time).
Teams
England: Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood, Jess Carter, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Lauren James (Kelly 74′), Lauren Hemp (Robinson 88′), Alessia Russo (Daly 74′)
Substitutes: Ellie Roebuck, Hannah Hampton, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Niamh Charles, Jordan Nobbs, Laura Coombs, Chloe Kelly, Rachel Daly, Jess Park, Katie Robinson
Brazil: Leticia Izidoro, Lauren (Andressa 45′), Kathellen, Rafaelle, Tamires, Antonia (Nunes 87′), Ary Borges (Fe Palermo 87′), Luana (Duda F 69′), Kerolin, Beatriz (Adriana 45′), Geyse
Substitutes: Camila, Luciana, Tarciane, Yasmim, Fernanda Fe Palermo, Duda Francelino, Ana Vitoria, Andressa Alves, Duda Santos, Gabi Portilho, Adriana, Gabi Nunes
Referee: Stephanie Frappart (France)
Attendance: 83,132
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