Here’s Suzy’s report which is a delight (as you’d expect) and begins with a delicious opening line. Seriously, have a read of it. And then continue reading because the rest of it’s pretty darn good too.
Unfortunately for England, they were pretty darn ordinary and came unstuck against a spirited Aussie outfit that seemed to want it more. A cliche perhaps, but that’s what it looked like to me.
With that I’ll say adios and see you later. Hope you enjoyed it. Til next time.
Updated
While we wait for more reaction and the report to come, catch a glimpse of Australia’s second:
Charli's first goal? Granted! ☝️
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 11, 2023
🎥: @10FootballAU #WeAreMatildas #ENGvAUS | @_charli_grant pic.twitter.com/ucta4DazvA
Ian Wright on ITV says that “Australia were hungrier than us”. It looked that way for sure. But I’m with Williamson. This could be a blessing in disguise. There will be lessons to learn here.
Here’s the England skipper Leah Williamson:
We looked like we were lacking ideas on the ball. We got punished. Obviously my mistake for the first goal and they were ruthless on the counter.
Sometimes you have those games. They were well organised. We weren’t as efficient as we usually are. We need to figure out why.
I’m not one for dwelling on things. The whole team feels rubbish. It hurts.
[On marking Kerr] To be fair I think we nullified the threat pretty well.
It’s absolutely not a setback [for the World Cup]. To be honest you sometimes have to take blessings in disguise. We want to be pushed to our limit and sometimes that gives you a bit of fire.
Get a load of these stats. England had 71% possession and Australia only had two shots on goal.
Full-Time: England 0-2 Australia
England lose for the first time under Sarina Wiegman as a 30-game unbeaten run comes to an end. And no one can say they didn’t deserve to lose. Rather, no one could say that Australia didn’t deserve to win.
They were everything the Lionesses were not: decisive in attack, resolute in defence, solid in midfield and clear in their plan. Had they been a little sharper up front they might have left London with a much greater margin of victory.
Reaction to come.
Updated
90+4 min: England have one final chance to clear their duck. Stanway stands over a free kick just to the right of the goal. She times it well and gets a bit of swerve but it’s straight at Arnold who spills it initially but then falls on the loose ball.
90+3 min: Stanway catches that volley with some serious heat but it swerves past the left hand upright. She latches onto a bouncing ball on the edge of the box and meets it with a snapping swish of her boot. But again, it’s a goal kick rather than a goal.
Updated
90+2 min: Kelly wriggles away from her flank and darts towards goal. She’s got three Aussies for company who are nipping at her heels. She gets the shot away but goes down as she does so. I thought that was a foul but nothing given except a goal kick as the shot at goal was high and wide.
90+1 min: Arnold has been booked for time wasting. In a friendly. With her team 2-0 up.
90 min: A goalmouth scramble following a deep cross from Kelly. Daly keeps it alive and James has a stab at it but it just won’t fall for anyone in blue.
89 min: Kelly on the left. She’s been a rare bright spark from England. She finds Park on the overlap who then cuts back for Russo. The forward controls and shoots but yet again it’s blocked by an Australian limb and it’s out for a corner.
87 min: Australia with a free kick from the right. Gorry looks to lace it and it has the makings of a decent ball but Earps comes out to grab it.
85 min: It’s all fizzling (that’s a word, right) to a tame end. Sad to see Vine hobble off. She was a substitute but won’t see the end. Wheeler on in her place. When the action resumes Arnold pounces on a poor cross from a free kick and swallows yet another England delivery that fails to find its target.
83 min: Russo has a shot blocked by Polinghorne who has been immense at the back for the Matildas. Carpenter then gets the better of Kelly. Carter is off for Park. Seven minutes to go.
81 min: That could (maybe should) have been 3-0. Carpenter plays a stiff pass to Kerr who cushions it like a wizard and Carpenter doesn’’t have to break stride as she gallops forward. Kerr has it again but can’t control it and after a few attempts England manage to clear. Australia are looking to rub their hosts’ noses in it.
Updated
79 min: Brilliant again from Australia who are so well organised. It’s as if their players are connected by rope. One moves and instinctively another does as well. No way through for England and Daly’s ball forward doesn’t find anyone. Australia in firm control.
78 min: Good defending from Williamson who cuts across Kerr to stick a leg out and clear that diagonal ball. It’s at the wrong end of the pitch but it’s at least something positive from England perspective.
77 min: Carpenter is met with a solid (wooden?) wall of resistance as she attempts to cut back in field. But instead of a swift counter England plod about and lose it again. Vine releases Kerr but too late and the striker is offside. That mistake was from Morgan who played the umpteenth reckless square ball.
75 min: England building slowly before launching a hopeful ball in the box. Australia keeping them at arm’s length before Kelly hoists a deep cross that’s too deep and bobbles out for a goal kick.
74 min: Seems like England have switched their wingers. James on the right and Kelly on the left now.
73 min: Oh! Daly has missed a sitter. It’s a header that is slightly behind her but she really should be putting that away. Under no pressure, she barely had to jump and got her head on a good cross from the right. Instead of finding the net, she puts it wide of the post.
71 min: Stanway is given a warning after poleaxing Cooney-Cross. It’s a tackle borne out of frustration. That Aussie midfield duo has been impenetrable.
69 min: Australia are good value for this lead. Vine has been terrific and Kerr has been brilliant as ever. But it’s the left back who has doubled the lead. What a run she made from deep in her own half to meet Kerr’s cross.
GOAL! England 0-2 Australia (Grant, 68)
England now have a mountain to climb. A sensational cross from Kerr down the right after another counter attack and Grant, making a late run into the box, headers into the net via a deflection.
Updated
66 min: James is fed the ball in space. She has options. Does she cross? No, she cuts in onto her right foot and shapes to shoot but she waits too long and is closed down. She’s been so sharp and decisive since coming on but dallied there.
65 min: England lose the ball in midfield and Kerr breaks. Vine is running this way and that in front of her captain but the pass doesn’t find her. England can’t slack off. As they press for an equaliser they could be vulnerable at the back.
62 min: Kelly shoots from distance. It’s a snatch shot that is well wide but it comes from pressure on the press high up the pitch from the England front line. Toone is off and Daly is on. It’s an intersting move and switches England to a more direct 4-4-2.
Updated
61 min: A direct corner and Bronze climbs high and does well to header towards goal as she has to contort her neck and almost reach behind her. But she can’t keep it down and it’s over the bar.
60 min: James shoots on target and Arnold has to save. Toone combines with James again. Toone on the run behind then finds James just inside the box on the left. James settles and takes aim for the far corner. It’s creeping inside the far post but Arnold gets down low to parry away.
59 min: Better from England. Walsh to Bronze whose first touch takes her beyond her marker. She drives to the byline and plays a cute back heel for Kelly. The first time cross is dealt with but there’s an extra oomph in England’s step now.
57 min: Toone and James combining again. Hayes points out that James is constantly looking to cut infield which narrows the field even more. Still, something starting to click down the left.
57 min: Again England have joy down the flank with Kelly whipping in a tasty cross. She can’t find Russo and Hunt headers away with conviction but at least there’s a sense of what they’re trying to do.
56 min: Gorry nails Stanway. It’s a foul, but it’s also a statement on which midfield has had the better of things tonight.
55 min: England going route one which isn’t the worst idea. Arnold’s clearance only reaches Stanway who then fizzes it to James. Her cross to Russo is cleared for a corner but that could have gone anywhere. Hate to say it but I think England need to start lumping it forward. Just for a bit.
54 min: Loose from Morgan and Vine pounces on it. She can’t find Fowler and England clear but what on earth are England playing at? Australia could be out of sight with some sharper work in the final third.
51 min: Another superb pass to Kerr, this time from Cooney-Cross from a deep free kick. Right foot swinger that lands at the feet of Kerr at the far post but it gets stuck beneath her boots and goes out behind for a goal kick.
50 min: Kerr prods it wide! Oh what a chance for the striker. Vine’s run continues and continues as the space opens up in front of her. She then slots an inch perfect through ball to Kerr inside the area but rather than shoot she cuts back on to her left foot. She doesn’t look comfortable and so chooses to prod a shot with the outside of her right boot but there;’s not enough purchase on it and it dribbles for a goal kick. Brilliant from Vine. Not so from Kerr.
48 min: England have a free kick within range. Kelly and Stanway over the ball. Kelly bluffs and runs down the right and Stanway passes to her but the Aussie defences is immense once again and shuts that move down fast. But why didn’t someone take a shot there? It was within striking distance.
46 min: Great move down the left. James to Toone. James loops around, almost a rugby run, and gathers on the half turn and moves it towards goal. She spots Russo run across against the grain behind the defender and James slips it into the box. The pass is a little long but that’s a sign of some quality early in the second period.
We’re back. England with a game to chase here. Australia with a mighty victory within sight.
England have never started a second half behind on the scoreboard under Sarina Wiegman’s watch. What sort of team talk is she giving right now?
Half-Time: England 0-1 Australia
If you judged a football match by possession alone then England are steamrolling Australia. But having the ball doesn’t count for much if you do nothing with it and that’s exactly what England have done. Nothing. Just 45 minutes of nothing in the rain.
Australia on the other hand have pressed with intensity, defended with organised precision and taken their one golden opportunity when Kerr nudged home after Williamson’s error at the back.
There have been signs of life from England, especially from their wide players. But it’s been toothless down the middle.
Back in a few.
45+3 min: James sparkles again and slides in Toone down the left. She cuts back and looks to find a runner but can’t. England regroup and Kelly has it on the right and whips in a ball that causes Arnold some trouble. The keeper fumbles but gathers before Russo can toe it towards goal.
45+1 min: A bit of brilliance, at last, from an England player. James on the left wing gathers and drops a shoulder. She beats one. Then quick feet has her beating another. She wriggles past a third defender and fires a shot. She slices it and it sails wide but for a moment this dreary half of football was illuminated by a special cameo.
44 min: Stanway has her pocket picked by Fowler and it’s a two on two. The ball is played forward for Kerr but Williamson shields it and Earps clears. Hayes has just described this as the “sloppiest” she’s ever seen England. I’m with her. It’s been so poor.
42 min: Bronze launches a hopeful ball first time towards Russo who wasn’t on the same page and was offside. That’s a testament to Australia’s defensive midfield block. England running out of ideas.
40 min: Vine on for Yallop. Stanway caught on the ball but her mates bail her out inside England territory. The home side have been disjointed. Hard to know what their strategy is here.
39 min: Arnold emerges from another corner with her hands on the ball. But Yallop is limping off after a clash with Kelly so the Aussies are a player short for the time being.
What Lisa said:
@danielgallan Kerr sucker punch.
— Lisa Diedrich (@lldiedrich) April 11, 2023
37 min: Bronse has it on the right after a switched ball. We haven’t seen enough of that from England. But Bronze is squeezed by two players who have made this already narrow pitch even smaller on the edges.
36 min: Russo is having a great game. She hasn’t stopped working and forces Carpenter into a mistake down the left.
34 min: Stanway’s shot is blocked but that was a good move from England who respond straight away. Kelly’s cut back is inch perfect but the effort on goal is scuffed into the turf and allows the Australian defender to stick a leg out and divert it behind goal. The resulting corner comes to nothing as there’s an offside player after the second ball.
GOAL! England 0-1 Australia (Kerr, 32)
Completely against the run of play and Australia have the lead. Just as England were starting to flex Kerr gets the first of the game after pouncing on a mistake from Williamson. It’s a long ball and the England defender is in a great position to deal with it but she lets the ball bounce and her header back to Earps is too short. Kerr is all over it and lifts it over the onrushing ‘keeper and ruffles the net with a killer finish.
Updated
30 min: Kelly’s cross from the right off her left boot is delivered with pace but there’s no one on the end of it. Still, she might be a handful down there. She’s at it again, this time finding Russo who has to peddle back as she attempts to hook it back towards goal on the volley. She doesn’t catch it clean and it’s out for a goal kick. Get the ball to Kelly!
28 min: It’s a good looking ball from Stanway. Fizzed more than looped. But Arnold once again comes off her line with authority and punches it away.
27 min: Excellent from Russo but she’s once again forced to come deep to get the ball. England are a player down but you’d never say so. They’re fizzing it across the soggy turf with great fluency. Williamson steps up from her line and launches a ball for Russo and she’s tripped in the right corner. James comes on to make it 11 v 11 again and England will have a free kick from a handy spot on the right.
26 min: Hemp has left the field and will be replaced by James. That’s a shame. She was just starting to have an influence on the game.
24 min: Williamson finds Hemp again. That combo is starting to click. But Hemp, who copped a nasty blow against Brazil, is receiving attention from the medical team.
23 min: Corner for England on the right. Hemp with the black face mask plays it short and gets it back. Stanway has it on the edge of the area and scoops a strange looking cross straight into the mixer. Arnold gathers with authority.
22 min: A clever ball from Williamson frees Hemp down the right who turns on the after burners but runs out of room. So she turns back in field as she reaches the byline and the move fizzles out as Australia’s defensive line can reset.
21 min: Weather report. It is hammering down!
20 min: Australia counter at speed and Kerr has a chance to shoot in the box. Instead she looks to play a drag back to the top of the box but England close it down. Game opening up now.
19 min: Oh wow. Immense strength from Stanway who shoves aside a would-be tackler after collecting a long ball from Williamson. It’;s direct, but it’s effective. The low cross into the box is dealt with but that was a blueprint on how England might work the opening.
17 min: Interesting to hear Emma Hayes talk about Australia’s shape and their quest to find one that works for them. Gorry and Cooney-Cross in the middle of the park are controlling things.
15 min: It’s a short corner. A clever that finds its way to Walsh on the edge of the area on the left. She dinks a cross to the back post but Arnold is composed and gathers. She in turn launches a counter but the ref blows her whistle as there’s an England player down in the box. Shame. Yallop and Kerr were coiling for something tasty there.
14 min: Carpenter is forced to kick it out for a corner after Russo and Kelly combine down the left.
13 min: Australia certainly the more composed side. England a little sketchy on the ball. Until Hemp wriggles through a half gap on the right and plays a ball across the box. Wonderful little run. Hemp is at it again down the right but this time her cross from deep is gathered by Arnold.
12 min: It’s very slippy out there. Hunt tumbles over as she clears.
11 min: England are let off the hook. It’s a mistake from Walsh who plays a loose ball across goal and Raso picks it up and charges into the box. She delays just enough to allow the England defence to settle. There isn’t a pass on so the Aussie forward shoots but it’s blocked by Williamson.
10 min: Carpenter can’t find Raso but it’s lovely build up from Gorry in midfield. They’re pressing with aggression as well without the ball. England slow things down at the back.
8 min: Kerr strays offside but what a move from Raso. Gathers on the half turn and fires off a delicious pass that bisected the England line. This is a very bright start from Australia.
7 min: Russo’s ball against the grain can’t find Kelly’s late surge into the box. But that was promising with Russo finding space between the lines.
6 min: The plan is clear from Australia. Fowler snatches a loose ball and immediately looks to launch it long for Kerr. It’s a sloppy attempt and Morgan mops up. Not sure Australia need to be so direct.
5 min: Excellent control from Kerr who brings down a long ball. She goes backwards and Cooney-Cross gathers on the charge. She’s had a bright start. Gorry involved as well. That midfield combination looks promising.
4 min: Walsh ducks inside and makes space for Carter on the outside. It’s a neat move that ends with a cross to Russo but her stabbed effort is tame. Though it’s on target and Arnold has to get low to save it.
3 min: England burst through the middle but Cooney-Cross sticks in a smart challenge and wins the ball back. Walsh has it back and recycles it to Morgan who builds again.
2 min: Australia with most of the ball early on. They’re playing a 4-2-3-1 against England’s 4-3-3.
England in a gorgeous light blue. Australia in trademark gold and green. The opening whistle sounds, the players take the knee against discrimination and away we go!
Three of the England players and three of the Australian players are playing without their names on their backs. That’s in honour of those affected by alzheimer’s and dementia and their loved ones. Just a reminder that this game is providing support for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Updated
Maybe I’m being fooled by the stadium lights but it seems to be bucketing down in Brentford. They’re elite players, but if it is raining as much as I think it is, that’ll be a factor. Just something to keep an eye on.
Right then. The teams are filing out of the tunnel. Seb Hutchinson is taking the lead on ITV’s comms. He’s got Emma Hayes for company. Great combo.
With just 100 days to go before a home World Cup, the Aussies seriously need to get their act in order. Joey Lynch saw them lose to Scotland last week and was not impressed, lamenting the same old problems that continue to plague this promising side.
Some good scenes between the two managers just shown on ITV. It is a friendly after all. Let’s see if that bonhomie continues once the opening whistle sounds.
I’ve long been a collector of sports gear (the shirt worn by the 1996 African Cup of Nations winning South Africans is maybe my most prized possession) and I’m fairly certain I’ll be adding the blue number worn by England tonight to my horde.
The contrasting tones. The zig-zagging pattern. The way the material shimmers. It’s a stunner.
But sports kit is more than just clothes to wear on the pitch, especially for women who must contend with so much more than their mail counterparts.
In this engaging piece, Catherine Spencer, a former captain of the Red Roses, offers some food for thought on the matter:
Is it imperative that a sports event leaves behind a legacy? It’s a question worth asking after recent research has shown that England’s Euro 2022 victory failed to impact on girls living in cities across the UK.
This important piece by Suzy Wrack shows that 63% of inner-city girls are unable to name a single Lioness.
If the team is failing to penetrate the psyche of the next generation even when they’re winning, then something clearly isn’t working.
Are your eyes dry? Let me sort that out for you.
11-year-old Eve’s Grandad lived with dementia. She met the @lionesses and asked them to share their own experiences of dementia.
— Alzheimer's Society (@alzheimerssoc) April 10, 2023
Donate to Alzheimer’s Society to give help and hope to everyone living with dementia, at https://t.co/PkLmnI8XLv. pic.twitter.com/nJbnLesekh
Captain Kerr leads Matildas in need of a lift
Football is a team game but it’ll be hard to take your eyes off the Australian captain and Chelsea legend, Sam Kerr. If her and her teammates are to upset the odds and end England’s 31 game unbeaten run, she’ll need to produce a ripper of a performance.
Australia: Arnold, Polkinghorne, Fowler, Yallop, Raso, Gorry, Kerr (c), Carpenter, Grant, Cooney-Cross, Hunt
Replacements: Williams, Nevin, Luik, Vine, Micah, Crummer, Siemsen, Wheeler, Chidiac, Whyman, Sayer, McNamara
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 11, 2023
Here's how we line up against England 🙌
Notice something different about the list? 👀 #WeAreMatildas #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/5lXkGYRroM
England release team with just eight players
Notice anything different about this team sheet? It’s not just that England are introducing their new – and can I say, brilliant – blue kit for this game.
It’s that only eight players have been named on social media. Don’t worry, Sarina Wiegman isn’t disrespecting her opponents. There’ll be a full compliment on the field later. It’s that England, like Australia, are honouring those who suffer from alzheimers and dementia as well as their family members.
England: Earps, Bronze, Carter, Walsh, Williamson (c), Morgan, Kelly, Stanway, Russo, Toone, Hemp
Replacements: Le Tissier, Roebuck, Wubben-Moy, Charles, Nobbs, James, Coombs, Daly, Park, Hampton, Robinson, Parker.
🚨 The team news for our @alzheimerssoc International is in!
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) April 11, 2023
Notice something different about the teamsheet? 👀#TheForgottenThird pic.twitter.com/hJvMBvZP5r
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the live blog of this so-called ‘friendly’ between the European champions and the hosts of this year’s World Cup. Don’t believe the branding. Oh sure, at first glance this one doesn’t count for much beyond bragging rights and the chance for both teams to tinker with a couple of moving parts before the big event this summer, but look a little deeper and there’s plenty at stake in west London tonight.
England are riding high after their Finalissima triumph on Thursday which extended their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman to 31 games.
As for the Matildas, they’re needing a lift following a 1-0 reverse to Scotland on Friday. That defeat saw Tony Gustavsson’s side waste a boatload of chances which doesn’t bode well for their prospects tonight, or indeed a home World Cup that kicks off in exactly 100 days.
Beyond xG and corner counts is something far more important. Tonight’s game is raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society as it seeks to “devastation caused by dementia, with dedicated support and life-changing treatments”. So whatever the result, this one should be special.
My name is Dan. I’m chuffed to be here. If you fancy getting in touch with anything humorous, insightful, provoking or meaningful – or just want to say hi – then please do so.
Kick off at 7:45 BST. Teams and other bits to follow shortly.
