Edward Payne

European champions, England, and Olympic gold medallists, USA, played out a goalless draw in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening.

Both sides had spells of dominance, and Mary Earps made a few fine saves, but neither of the top two in the world rankings could find the net.

The attendance of 78,346 was a new world record for a women’s international friendly.

The match kicked off with smoke from the pre-game fireworks lingering in the air. Within seconds of kick off, Jess Naz put a cross from the right-side into the penalty area that Alyssa Narher caught as Sarina Wiegman’s side made a quick start.

The USA saw their first opportunity came in the 5th minute when Sam Coffey played the ball across the area to Alyssa Thompson but she saw her shot from 10-yards palmed away by Earps.

Lucy Bronze and Naz were linking up well for the Lionesses but the impressive Naomi Girma got back to clear the danger. 

The visitors were having more of the ball in the opening 15 minutes but weren’t creating many chances.

England’s first shot at goal came in the 17th minute but Jess Park’s effort from just outside the area went wide.

Naz made a good block in her own area to stop Lindsey Horan getting a shot away two minutes later for the USA.

Alex Greenwood’s whipped in free kick went the wrong side of the post for the hosts as the midpoint of the first half approached.

In the 32nd minute, Lionesses goalkeeper Earps saved Casey Krueger’s low shot before the ball was cleared.

The home side were a bit sloppy in defence late in the first half but the attack for the USA came to nothing. 

The visitors next attempt at goal came two minutes before the break but Coffey’s shot from the edge of the area went straight at Earps and was easily stopped.

After a succession of early second half throw ins, the USA did have the ball in the net in the 48th minute but Horan was offside for Emma Hayes’ side.

It was one-way traffic with the visitors controlling the ball, and Horan had their next opportunity in the 53rd minute but this time dragged her shot wide.

England’s first attack of the second period came two minutes later but Emily Fox headed a Park cross behind for a corner.  The header from that set-piece was claimed by Naeher.

Georgia Stanway’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected over by a USA defender in the 57th minute.  The Lionesses were looking more threatening now with the visitors having to do some defending, which they did well.

The USA were awarded a penalty in the 64th minute after the referee Lina Lehtovaara thought Greenwood had handled Yazmeen Ryan’s strike.  After a VAR check, the penalty was correctly overturned after the ball had hit the Lionesses defender’s chest.

Immediately after coming on as a substitute for the home side, Fran Kirby passed to Beth Mead but her shot went just wide of the post.

Rose Lavelle’s cross for the visitors was put behind for a corner with eight minutes remaining.  The USA had further half chances but the hosts defence dealt with those.

The match petered out during the four minutes of stoppage time as it finished in a stalemate in which both defences had been on top.

Line ups

England (4-3-3): Earps, Bronze, Williamson (c), Carter, Greenwood, Stanway, Walsh, Park (Kirby 75’), Naz (Kelly 75’), Russo, Mead

Unused substitutes: Hampton, Moorhouse, Morgan, Bright, Turner, Clinton, Beever-Jones, George, Mace, Blindkilde-Brown

Booked - Kelly

USA (4-3-3): Naeher, Fox, Sonnett, Girma, Krueger, Lavelle, Coffey, Horan (c) (Sentor,88’), Sears (Ryan 46’), Williams (Shaw 73’), Thompson (Albert 73’)

Unused substitutes: Haught, Sams, Nighswonger, Yohannes, Davidson, Malonson, Hershfelt, Gaetino

Booked - Coffey

Referee – Lina Lehtovaara (Finland)

Attendance – 78,346