England’s Lionesses have beaten Brazil in the first-ever Women’s Finalissima, after the match went to penalties at Wembley Stadium.
A goal early on from Ella Toone put England in the lead before a late equaliser from their opponents took the game to a shootout.
The Lionesses had been crowned UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 champions with a victory against Germany in July last year.
The Brazilian team were the Copa America winners after beating Colombia 1-0 in the same month.
The Women’s Finalissima puts the women’s Euro winners and South American Champions, Brazil, up against each other.
Hosted at London’s Wembley Stadium, the game comes before the team host Australia at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium next week, before England open up their World Cup campaign against Haiti in Brisbane on 22 July.
The Lionesses also debuted their new kits, featuring new blue shorts instead of white in a change encouraged by players’ longstanding concerns about wearing white while on their periods.
Read more:
England’s Lionesses unveil kit change after concerns about white shorts
PM attends kickabout with Lionesses
Girls granted equal access to sport after Lioness campaign
Speaking before the match, England boss Sarina Wiegman admitted the two friendly games will give her side a chance to go-up against international sides.
“We are getting prepared for the World Cup,” she said.
“I think that is going to be an incredible tournament, more countries I think the level of the game has improved a lot, it’s very exciting at the moment to be part of the women’s game because it is growing so fast.
“So I’m really looking forward to it, but let’s first enjoy ourselves tomorrow.”
Captain Leah Williamson added: “I think when there is a tournament on the horizon I think all players have it in the back of your mind because every day you are competing for a place on the plane, but I think tomorrow is big enough that that is on the back of our minds going into tomorrow.”
