Finalissima 2023: England gear up for World Cup bid with penalty shootout victory over Brazil

The inaugural Women’s Finalissima on Thursday (6 April) comprised two very different halves of football, and a penalty shootout.

England’s Lionesses extended their unbeaten run to 30 games since manager Sarina Wiegman took charge, overcoming Brazil 4-2 on penalties at Wembley Stadium.

And the visitors eventually gave the reigning European champions a stern test which should stand them in good stead for the upcoming FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup.

The hosts breezed through the first half, with Ella Toone opening the scoring in the 22nd minute.

However, the South American champions came out fighting in the second half - exposing several weakness in the England line-up - with Andressa scoring a deserved equaliser three minutes into stoppage time.

England's composure from the spot won the day with Mary Earps inspired in goal, and Chloe Kelly netting the winner just as she had in last year's EURO final.

The Lionesses continue their World Cup preparations against Australia next week, but could this be the year that they claim a first global triumph?

Finalissima 2023: England’s adaptability

With Beth Mead almost certainly out of the World Cup due to a serious knee injury, Chelsea youngster Lauren James started following her impressive performances at the Arnold Clark Cup.

The 21-year-old's ability to adapt to the flow of play, and maturity beyond her years, was key to England's performance.

By dropping back slightly, she allowed Lucy Bronze to push forward and play the perfect ball into Toone whose blistering strike gave England the lead midway through the first half.

It was a fine team goal made possible by James’ reading of the game and Bronze's alertness to the situation.

Another example of the team's adaptability came from goalkeeper Earps who controlled the penalty shootout despite conceding a 93rd minute equaliser.

From the small but impactful act of confidently handing her teammates the ball as they stepped up for their spot kicks, to saves that helped win the game, Earps proved why she was recently crowned The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper in the world.

Finalissima 2023: England’s patience

England made clear their attacking intent from the outset, creating a chance in the very first minute.

But Brazil - who started with a 5-3-2 formation - were proving difficult nuts to crack.

The Lionesses dominated possession in the first 20 minutes, yet Wiegman’s side struggled to make an impact against the South American’s solid backline.

As the half went on, however, England’s play grew in fluidity. The European champions found themselves building up from the back with increased ease, until Brazil simply could not keep the attacking threats at bay.

Toones’ opening goal wasn’t just a testament to the Lionesses’ enviable teamwork, but also to their patience and composure.

Finalissima 2023: England’s squad depth

The second half started awkwardly for England as Brazil exerted their influence on the game.

And Wiegman turned to her bench in the just after the midway point of the half, bringing on Rachel Daly and Chloe Kelly for James and Alessia Russo.

That squad depth is something England have in their favour with Daly enjoying herself at the Arnold Clark Cup in an attacking role having played in midfield and defence previously for club and country.

Currently second in the WSL goalscoring table, Daly’s hunger to score was apparent as soon as she stepped onto the pitch. Alongside Kelly, the pair injected new life into the England performance teammates and both proved reliable when it came to penalties.

When things are not going to plan for the Lionesses, as was the case in the second half of the Finalissima, Wiegman knows she can put her faith in her talented substitutes.

Finalissima 2023: How can opponents upset England at the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup?

This was far from a perfect England performance and Wiegman will be conscious that there is much work to do before this summer’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

At times, the Lionesses gave the ball away cheapy through sloppy passing. They can be tighter in defence, and a lack of control in the middle of the park led to a number of dangerous Brazilian attacks, something future World Cup opponents will have taken note of.

Brazil also succeeded in keeping England’s main playmaker, Keira Walsh, away from the ball. The Barcelona midfielder is key for the Lionesses, and teams will no doubt try to cut off her supply.

The visitors switched from a defensive back five to a more attacking back four in the second half, a move which seemingly startled England who were lucky not to concede before Andressa's late equaliser.

Finalissima 2023: The Unbeaten Lionesses

Wiegman is still to taste defeat as England manager, but the hosts were pushed to their limits with Brazil exposing their vulnerabilities in the second half.

The Lionesses now look forward to next Tuesday's friendly against Australia at Brentford's Community Stadium.

That will be their final fixture before the World Cup, and Wiegman will hope her side will be show greater control in midfield against the tournament co-hosts.