England Women vs Brazil Woman - Finalissima 2023

Hi everyone,

Hope you’re all well.

On Thursday 6th April 2023, I attended England Women vs Brazil Woman in the 2023 Finalissima at Wembley Stadium. This was my first lionesses match, and following on from such a successful summer I was excited to see them in action with the likes of Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly in the squad.

The Finalissima, Italian for ‘Grand Final’, is an intercontinental football match between the winners of the previous South American and European championships. This was the first women’s Finalissima, with the current men’s holders being Argentina after beating Italy 3-0 back in 2022 at Wembley Stadium.

The summer of 2022 was successful for both countries winning the Copa América and UEFA European Championship respectively. Brazil defeated their opponents Columbia 1-0, with England beating Germany in an exiting 2-1 at Wembley with Chloe Kelly getting the winner in added time.

Before the game EURO winner Jill Scott presented the trophy onto the pitch and Ellen White was given her golden boot for being England women’s leading goal scorer.

Eight months on from winning the EURO’S, England’s Lionesses were crowed champions of the first ever women’s Finalissima after beating Brazil on penalties!

England had a very strong start and set the tempo for the game dominating the ball. Alessia Russo’s pace caused issues for Brazil, her driving run towards the box forced a foul from the visiting defender.

After multiple chances from Russo, it was her Manchester United teammate Ella Toone who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

Some beautiful play from the Lionesses saw Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway perform a great one-two around the Brazilian defender getting into the box. Bronze was finally able to pull the ball back into the centre of the box where Toone was prepared for a first touch finish into the net.

Lauren James thought she had doubled the lead for England just six minutes later, but when the ball was in the net the flag was up for offside.

Brazil searched for the equaliser trying to capitalise on misplaced passes from the home side, but it was still England who entered the break the happier of the sides.

The Copa America champions started the second half brightly, Geyse da Silva Ferreira from outside the box forced an early save over the bar from Mary Earps.

At the other end of the pitch Stanway had the same opportunity from outside the box, the chance again ended in a good save from the Brazilian keeper Letícia Izidoro Lima da Silva.

Brazil found a way into the game in the 90+2nd minute. England failed to clear their lines and when the ball was met by Earps for what should’ve been a simple save she spilled it into the path of a crowed box for substitute Andressa Alves to capitalise on and put her team back level.

The game went straight to penalties to decide a winner. A good save from Earps put her side ahead in the shootout, before substitute Chloe Kelly was once again able to score the final and winning penalty making her team Finalissima champions!

The night was concluded with England being awarded their medals and trophy in the middle of the pitch before parading around a sold out Wembley Stadium.

Another trophy to add to England’s collection, and I’ve finally witnessed England win a penalty shootout!

My next game is Charlton vs Burton on Monday 10th April in South London where I’ll finally get to watch Jesurun Rak-Sakyi in action before the end of the season and his return to Palace! So look out for that post.

Thanks for reading.

Ellie Xx