England 2-1 USA LIVE! Statement win - Friendly result, match stream and latest updates today

An early goal by Lauren Hemp and a penalty from Georgia Stanway helped European champions England beat World champions United States 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday in a test for both sides ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Hemp tapped the ball home in the 10th minute to open the scoring for England after Beth Mead’s cross found her on the edge of the six-yard box.

U.S. forward Sophia Smith smashed the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area in the 28th minute to level the scores, but parity lasted just five minutes.

England retook the lead when midfielder Georgia Stanway scored from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after Hailie Mace was adjudged to have fouled Lucy Bronze after the VAR spotted a high boot to the face.

Both sides spurned a host of chances early in the second half but England managed to hold on.

England host Czech Republic in their next friendly on Oct. 11 when the U.S. travel to Spain.

England vs USA latest news

• England player ratings

England’s statement win offers exciting glimpse of the World Cup

22:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

If this clash at Wembley between England and the USA is anything like what we get at the World Cup next year, then everyone is in for a treat.

Simply put this was great entertainment, particularly the first-half, which had just about everything in it.

Three goals, one of which was a penalty, VAR interventions and controversy, and some quality football from two sides who will undoubtedly be challenging to go all the way at next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Read our full report here!

England player ratings

22:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

England stretched their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman to 23 games as they beat world champions USA at Wembley.

The Lionesses, who historically won Euro 2022 in the summer, took the lead inside 10 minutes as Lauren Hemp tucked home Beth Mead’s cross.

The USA then hit back through Sophia Smith, who impressed all night upfront and gave England’s defence plenty of problems.

The Lionesses regained the lead before the break through a Georgia Stanway penalty and the USA had a goal by Trinity Rodman ruled out for offside.

Neither side could find the net in the second-half, despite both going close, and England held on to claim a famous win over the USA.

Simon Collings was at Wembley to see the Lionesses in action...

22:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

FT: England 2-1 USA

21:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

A HUGE statement of intent from England as they make it 23 games unbeaten.

OVERTURNED!

21:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

The correct decision.

PENATLY TO THE USA!

21:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

Likely to be ruled out, however.

The ball struck Hemp on the back, nowhere near her hand.

England getting joy on the break

21:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

78:00 - With the US piling forward, Hemp is causing problems.

Every time she breaks from deep, the US look concerned.

England change

21:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

A slower tempo

21:28 , Jonathan Gorrie

64:00 - Could be a big ending here, with both sides sitting back somewhat as things stand. There’s certainly the attacking quality on show for a grandstand finish.

Simon Collings at Wembley

21:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

Suspect Wiegman will look to make some changes too. Parris is out warming up and it wouldn’t shock me to see her come on for Chloe Kelly.

CHANCE FOR ENGLAND!

21:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

54:00 - England break with numbers and Hemp’s ball across goal finds Bronze, who strikes just wide.

CHANCE FOR ENGLAND!

21:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

53:00 - Kelly cuts inside onto her right foot but shoots wide.

Second-half hasn’t got going yet.

CHANCE FOR USA!

21:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

47:00 - Smith gets a shot off after another quick USA team move. It trickles wide, however.

Back underway!

21:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here we go!

The controversial VAR call

21:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

Stanway’s penalty

21:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

Smith’s strike

20:58 , Jonathan Gorrie

Hemp’s goal

20:58 , Jonathan Gorrie

HT: England 2-1 USA

20:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

What a first-half!

Let’s recap, England opened the scoring through Hemp before Smith struck back.

Stanway then scored from the spot after a high boot on Bronze and the US thought they had their response quickly, though Rodman’s goal was ruled out by VAR for a tight offisde call.

Simon Collings at Wembley

20:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Sophia Smith has been excellent for the USA. Held the ball up well, quick in behind and took her goal so well. Not often you see Millie Bright struggle like this.

RULED OUT!

20:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

VAR comes to England’s rescue with the goal ruled out for an offisde in the build-up.

GOAL! England 2-2 USA | Trinity Rodman ‘36

20:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

36:00 - Rodman completes a free-flowing US team move as Smith tees up Rapinoe in the box and her dummy leaves England stranded.

Calm finish, swept home.

Simon Collings at Wembley

20:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

Not a bad way for Stanway to make amends. Not sure how the referee missed that penalty in real time, 90,000 other people saw it.

GOAL! England 2-1 USA | Georgia Stanway ‘32

20:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

32:00 - Stanway makes up for her involvement in the US goal by hitting a cool penalty and sending the ‘keeper the wrong way!

PENALTY GIVEN

20:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

Stanway steps up!

VAR check

20:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

30:00 - Bronze appeared to be caught by a high boot in the USA box.

GOAL! England 1-1 USA | Sophia Smith ‘27

20:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

27:00 - Really sloppy from England.

Stanway pressed when dropping deep and loses the ball to Smith, who finishes calmly from around 12 yards.

Simon Collings at Wembley

20:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

The game has settled down after that frantic start. England trying to exert some control from Walsh, who is looking every bit a Barcelona player.

England good value for their lead

20:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

22:00 - Defending really well against US possession and a constant threat on the break. Impressive stuff.

A blow for the US

20:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

21:00 - Fox forced off with Mace coming on to replace her.

Good from Earps

20:22 , Jonathan Gorrie

18:00 - USA in behind and pull a cross back from the byline, though Earps cuts it out bravely.

Luckily, Hemp is also able to continue.

A slight worry for Hemp

20:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

16:00 - Rapinoe’s free-kick drilled right into her face. Getting treatment now and hopefully ok to continue.

England want more

20:17 , Jonathan Gorrie

16:00 - It’s been non-stop attack from England since their goal. The tails are up.

A humble Simon Collings at Wembley

20:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

I’ll stop questioning Wiegman now.

GOAL! England 1-0 USA | Lauren Hemp ‘09

20:13 , Jonathan Gorrie

09:00 - England open the scoring!

A brilliant run from Mead down the right hand side springs the offside trap and allows her to cross for Hemp, who does well to get the ball out of her feet and finish.

Simon Collings at Wembley

20:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

Bright start from both sides. Interesting to see England line up with Hemp up top. Mead was the obviously choice, but Wiegman has clearly seen something in Hemp being used up there.

CHANCE FOR ENGLAND!

20:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

04:00 - Stanway breaks from deep and backheels for Mead, who cuts inside and shoots but it’s straight at the ‘keeper.

CHANCE FOR USA!

20:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

03:00 - Really open few minutes with Girma almost catching Earps out after the US had cleared Mead’s through ball, though Greenwood clears up.

England a touch sloppy on the ball in the opening stages.

CHANCE FOR USA!

20:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

01:00 - Smith runs direct at goal from a wide position and gets a shot off, though Earps saves well.

KICK-OFF

20:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here we go at Wembley!

The latest from Wembley

20:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

England and USA players united before their friendly at Wembley on Friday in a show of solidarity with the victims of abuse and misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League.

A year-long investigation into the United States’ top-flight was made public this week and it found how abuse and misconduct had become “systemic”.

England players have this week been speaking in support of the victims and before kick-off against the USA they came together with their opponents to show solidarity.

Both squads gathered in the centre-circle at Wembley before kick-off with a banner saying “PROTECT THE PLAYERS”.

19:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Quite the lights show

19:55 , Jonathan Gorrie

A remarkable light show strewn across the Wembley pitch.

This might be a friendly in nature, but it’s a glamour tie between two heavyweights and perhaps an early battle for next year’s World Cup.

Simon Collings at Wembley

19:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

A nice moment just now as the 1972 England Women team come onto the pitch holding their bespoke caps. They will give the Lionesses’ a guard of honour as the FA celebrates 50 years of the women’s senior football.

19:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

The warm-ups are underway!

19:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Simon Collings’ pre-match video verdict

19:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confirmed USA lineup

19:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

Mead through the middle

19:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

With Ellen White having retired, Beth Mead is donning the no.9 shirt and will play through the middle.

Confirmed England lineup

18:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Wiegman only backs World Cup qualification changes if women’s game benefits

18:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

England head coach Sarina Wiegman has backed calls to change the qualification process for major tournaments in women’s football.

The Lionesses have already qualified for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and they can finish qualifying with a 100 per cent record at Stoke tonight.

England beat opponents Luxembourg, who are ranked 117th in the world, 10-0 in the reverse fixture and defeated Latvia 20-0 in an earlier qualifier.

Read the full story here!

England announce Japan and Norway friendlies in preparation for Women’s World Cup

18:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

England will play friendlies against Japan and Norway in Spain in November, the Football Association has announced.

The European champions are to spend their final camp of the calendar year at the Pinatar Arena football centre in Murcia, taking on Japan on November 11 and the Norwegians four days later, as they continue the build-up to next summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Lionesses last played Japan at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, winning 1-0, while their most recent meeting with Norway was the remarkable 8-0 group-stage victory en route to winning the Euros over the summer.

18:28 , Jonathan Gorrie

Lucy Bronze: Lionesses have closed gap to USA thanks to FA’s support

18:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

Lucy Bronze believes the FA’s investment in women’s football has allowed the Lionesses to close the gap on world champions USA.

The FA have spent millions on the women’s game, and that paid off as the Lionesses won Euro 2022. That was England’s first major trophy in women’s football, and Sarina Wiegman’s squad have now set their sights on winning next year’s World Cup.

The USA, who England face tomorrow in a sold-out friendly at Wembley, will head to that tournament as favourites, but defender Bronze (above) believes the Lionesses have closed the gap, thanks to the FA’s support.

Read Bronze’s full comments here!

Mead wants UEFA to bring in concussions subs after ‘scary’ head injury

17:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Arsenal and England forward Beth Mead has called on UEFA to consider introducing concussions substitutes after she suffered a “scary” head injury against Ajax last week.

Mead was playing for Arsenal in the Women’s Champions League when she clashed heads with defender Lisa Doorn.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said he was told he could make a concussion substitution before being informed that it would not be allowed. In the end, the Gunners ended up just taking off Mead and playing the remaining six minutes of the game, which they won 1-0, with 10 players.

Read Mead’s full comments here!

Kelly backs Lionesses to make Wembley sell-outs the norm as USA visit

17:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chloe Kelly believes the Lionesses can make selling out Wembley the norm, as they prepare to take on the USA tonight.

The FA announced the friendly against the world champions just two days after England beat Germany in the final of Euro 2022 at a sold-out Wembley.

Tickets for the game were swiftly snapped up in less than 24 hours, with the FA website crashing as it tried to cope with demand.

Kelly, who scored the winning goal in the final, believes ticket sales for tonight’s game shows what is possible in the future.

Read her comments in full here!

Prediction: 1-1 draw

17:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

Two of the best international sides, it’s difficult to split the two.

England are in fantastic form yet know they are facing a team well above their recent opposition, albeit one missing some key players.

For that reason, a 1-1 draw seems likely.

USA team news: Alex Morgan ruled out

17:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

The USA have their own fitness problems, too, with star player Alex Morgan and fellow forward Mallory Pugh absent.

England team news: Leah Williamson sidelined

17:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

England have suffered a major blow after it was confirmed captain Leah Williamson will miss Friday’s friendly against world champions USA and next week’s clash with the Czech Republic.

Williamson had been a doubt on Tuesday morning after the FA confirmed the defender suffered an injury in training.

The defender is the latest player to pull out of the squad after West Ham defender Lucy Parker and Manchester United striker Alessia Russo also withdrew due to injury.

Williamson’s absence will mean Alex Greenwood could well start in the heart of defence alongside Chelsea’s Millie Bright, who is likely to captain the side now.

Bright was named England’s vice-captain earlier this year and played a pivotal role in the run to winning Euro 2022 this summer.

How to watch England vs USA

17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

The game will be broadcast on ITV 1.

The ITV Hub - free with a subscription - will offer a live stream service.

Welcome

14:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England’s glamour friendly with the USA this evening.

For the first time since winning Euro 2022, the Lionesses return to Wembley and kick-off is at 8pm BST.