england won the first women’s Finalissima
Last year, the first men’s Finalissima was disputed between the reigning crowns of both Europe and South America. Italy and Argentina faced each other in a match that will be remembered because it was a confirmation that Argentina was ready to dance in Qatar. Lionel Messi’s and Angel Di Maria’s Albiceleste won the trophy with more than 87,000 fans in Wembley in what represented the revival of what in the past was known as Artemio Franchi Trophy. This is an event that first took place in 1985, and ultimately led the creation of the FIFA Confederations Cup, a tournament that disappeared back in 2017.
Women’s soccer has never stopped growing since it began, it has taken patience and fighting by their players to get things where they are right now. We have seen great advancement in the last couple of years and this April, the first ever women’s Finalissima was disputed between Brazil and England. It was never a doubt that playing in England for the Lionesses made them the favorites, even more considering they have been unbeaten since September 2021, but Brazil was, is and always will be Brazil.
Photo by Associated Press
The first minutes of the game, the Lionesses dominated. Lucy Bronze had the first opportunity to score but Leticia saved with a great dive to her right side, starting to get the protagonist role. At the 22nd minute of the first half, England scored one of the best build up goals I have seen, it went just like a practice goal. It began from the Center Backs area; Bronze went to the front and the passes were timed so perfectly between James, Bronze, Stanway and James again that left Toone completely alone and finished outstandingly.
Ella Toone celebrating the goal / Getty Images
The leading goal was not enough, the Lionesses continued dominating, and had a goal annulated by an offsides after a long ball and a magnificent first touch that let James finish, but she was a few inches beyond the defensive line. Lauren James would become a constant danger on the wings, the attacker attempted a long shot, but it went wide just before the end of the first half.
Brazil, started responding after James’s shot, they had an inside the box chance, but Andressa Alves could not smash it hard enough and it went straight to Earps hands. The high pressure the Brazilians were applying was eventually going to provoke a mistake, trying to build up from the goalie, England lost the ball and it was rapidly shot by Kerolin but missed the goal. The Brazilians kept pushing and provoked a mistake from Toone, giving them the ball but Geyse could not beat Earps, who made a terrific save that sent the ball to the crossbar.
Kirsty Wigglesworth - staff, AP
After 20 minutes of Brazilian domination in the second half, Stanway shot from outside of the box, and Leticia dived to her left and made a great two-handed save to keep the score. The time was running against Brazil but they managed to tied the game with more heart than soccer. At the 93rd minute, Andressa Alves tied the game after a cross that Adriana sent to the box and Earps dropped in front of the striker, who would not forgive and equalized the game.
The Finalissima rules sent the game, after 95 minutes straight to penalties. The Brazilians would get hope after Leticia stopped Toone’s penalty, but Earps would respond immediately saving Tamire’s penalty. Rafaelle Souza, Brazil’s captain sent the penalty to the crossbar and the confidence for England takers increased. The Lionesses would not miss any other and Kelly would confirm England’s victory in the first ever women’s Finalissima at home, in front of 83,132 fans.
Photo retracted from Deutsche Welle
