England coach hails Brazil ‘challenge’ after beating them on penalties to win inaugural Finalissima
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England captain Leah Williamson (left) and goalkeeper Mary Earps hold the Women's Finalissima trophy with their teammates after beating Brazil on Thursday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – England coach Sarina Wiegman flagged the importance of the “challenge” Brazil posed after the Lionesses beat their ninth-ranked opponents in a penalty shoot-out in a thrilling inaugural Women’s Finalissima on Thursday.
It was the second straight international trophy hoisted by the world No. 4 Lionesses at a jam-packed Wembley Stadium.
Tied 1-1 at full time, England beat Brazil 4-2 in the shoot-out to extend their unbeaten streak to 30 games.
The European champions can extend that run when they take on the Australians on Tuesday in their final warm-up ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July.
Said Wiegman: “The first half was really good, the second half we got challenged a lot. I’m happy, it’s good we have that information.
“If you’re not challenged in those moments and then it starts at the World Cup, then you didn’t have that practice. You take things from every game.
“We hoped to be challenged in defence too and in transition moments and that’s what happened.”
The game, which drew 83,132 fans and sold out in early October, featured the European and South American champions.
Ella Toone netted her 16th goal for England in the 23rd minute when Lucy Bronze cut the ball back for her teammate to slot in from the edge of the six-yard box following a wonderful team move in a dominant first half.
But the Manchester United player was the only England player to miss a spot kick.
Pia Sundhage’s Canarinha found their form in the second half and Geyse, a forward for Barcelona, had a chance at an equaliser that was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Mary Earps.
Andressa Alves sent the game to a shoot-out when she equalised in the 93rd minute, pouncing on a loose ball that Earps spilled.
Describing their second-half performance, England captain Leah Williamson said: “Rocky, complacent, not good on the ball.”
But Georgia Stanway, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood and Euro 2022 final heroine Chloe Kelly scored for England to win the shoot-out.
“Maybe we got what we deserved and had to finish the game off in a different way,” said Williamson. “But it is good to expose yourself to all these challenges.”
Player of the Match Keira Walsh added: “We’ve not faced (penalties) before. We’re going into a World Cup where that could happen. It was a good test for us.”
Sundhage, who led the United States to two Olympic golds and her native Sweden to a silver, also felt there were learning points to be taken by her team.
She said: “At this moment, it’s hard. But this is not the World Cup. It is the journey to the World Cup, and we are learning many things.
“This young team experienced a great team like England and also a big crowd. You have to enjoy these moments and I think we did in the second half.” REUTERS
