The Lionesses suffered their first defeat at Wembley in five years as Germany survived a madcap seven-goal thriller. Preparations for the defence of England’s Euros crown next summer began with a rematch of the 2022 final which saw the Lionesses triumph at this venue, and the visitors gained a measure of revenge with a devastating attacking performance.
The hosts began disastrously, falling 3-0 behind after conceding a penalty inside five minutes, but fought back to 3-2 before half time through a double from Georgia Stanway. But their defensive frailties were ever apparent, with Sara Dabritz converting a second from the spot in the second half, though Alessia Russo was harshly adjudged to have committed a foul.
Lucy Bronze capitalised on an error from Ann-Katrin Berger late on to give the home fans hope of an equaliser, but Germany held on. Sarina Wiegman’s side next play South Africa on Tuesday followed by fixtures against the United States and Switzerland in November.
Re-live all the action from England vs Germany at Wembley with our live blog below:
England vs Germany LIVE
- England beaten by Germany at Wembley in seven-goal thriller
- FULL TIME! England 3-4 Germany
- GOAL! ENGLAND 3-4 Germany (Luzy Bronze, 82 minutes)
- GOAL! England 2-4 GERMANY (Sara Dabritz, 72 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 2-3 Germany (Georgia Stanway, 36 minutes)
- GOAL! ENGLAND 1-3 Germany (Georgia Stanway, 34 minutes)
- GOAL! England 0-3 GERMANY (Klara Buhl, 29 minutes)
- GOAL! England 0-2 GERMANY (Giulia Gwinn, 12 minutes)
- GOAL! England 0-1 GERMANY (Giulia Gwinn, 4 minutes)
- KICK OFF!
Complacent England pay the price as Germany embarrass Lionesses at Wembley
21:38 , Jamie Braidwood at WembleyPerhaps the only positive for England is there can be no avoiding the reality now. For the Lionesses, there was no repeat of their glorious victory over Germany at Wembley. Instead, a rematch of the Euro 2022 final served up a warning ahead of England’s European Championship defence next summer. The Lionesses were complacent and error-strewn as a refreshed, reshaped Germany team repeatedly tore through England. Had it not been for Germany’s own calamitous defending, the scoreline could have been even more of an embarrassment.
Complacent England pay the price as Germany embarrass Lionesses at Wembley
Sarina Wiegman speaks to ITV after England’s defeat
21:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle“A game of a very high level, two teams that are really equal and wanted to attack. It was an open game, for me a little bit too open at times. We had too many players in front of the ball and wanted to press high, and if you do that wrong against Germany, they are really dangerous. We had moments where we lost the ball through unforced errors, and then they are gone.
“If we’d taken out those unforced errors more, then they can’t counter attack. We want to press higher but we need to find the triggers of when we wait and be compact, and when we go.
“This is why we play these top level games. We are being challenged, and that’s what we want. We want to see where we are now and get as much information as possible. That’s what we really need moving forward in our preparation for the Euros.”
England beaten by Germany after disastrous defensive night
21:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome tough questions for Sarina Wiegman after that performance. Having backed Hannah Hampton and Leah Williamson in a couple of big selection calls, both struggled to assert themselves, with Williamson particularly now surely under pressure for her place. The Arsenal defender just looks a little off the pace still.
The England manager should be up in front of the microphone shortly.
Georgia Stanway reflects on England’s defeat
21:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Initially, my first reaction is that I’m disappointed,” the Lionesses midfielder tells ITV. “For them to score so early and take their lead so high, it’s not like us. It’s good that we got back into the game, and the penalty was a little unfortunate I think. It is one we have got to learn from. We didn’t know what to expect with a new manager and changes within their squad, but that showcases how good they are.
“We needed to adjust our shape. We needed to be more compact. As soon as we changed our shape, we were able to regain the ball more and get them a few times on the counter-attack. I think it could have been 5-5 at half time. The teams were pretty even, but obviously the result went their way. It’s not about us not being at it - Germany are good, a world-class team. We know we’ve got things to work on.”
FULL TIME! England 3-4 Germany
21:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 3-4 Germany, 90 + 4 minutes
21:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleA better ball, and a corner. Lauren Hemp scampers to take it.
Too close to Ann-Katrin Berger, who makes absolutely certain of the catch this time.
England 3-4 Germany, 90 + 3 minutes
21:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother free kick for England within delivering range. Jess Carter hits the deck under contact.
England 3-4 Germany, 90 + 2 minutes
21:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn outstanding run from Jessica Naz leaves Sophia Kleinherne with no option but to bring the England forward down. A good chance to deliver, and up the cavalry come to try to latch on to Alex Greenwood’s delivery.
No dice. Germany clear their lines.
England 3-4 Germany, 90 minutes
21:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland have six minutes to find their fourth goal and square things up.
England 3-4 Germany, 88 minutes
21:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleJess Carter makes sure Endemann does not progress beyond Alex Greenwood as the lively German again makes inroads down the right. Vital recovery running from Carter, who had pushed forward in search of a leveller.
England 3-4 Germany, 85 minutes
21:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland somehow survive! Germany substitute Vivien Endemann bamboozles Jess Carter and crosses superbly to Selina Cerci, but the spinning striker’s touch deflects behind via Hannah Hampton’s body.
England 3-4 Germany, 83 minutes
21:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleMaya Le Tissier and Jessica Naz join the English ranks, with Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead giving way. Valuable minutes for two of Sarina Wiegman’s younger squad members, with a chance of snatching an improbable draw.
GOAL! ENGLAND 3-4 Germany (Luzy Bronze, 82 minutes)
21:12 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn absolute gift! Ann-Katrin Berger fumbles a free kick and Lucy Bronze can’t help but tap home!
My oh my. This curious contest of chaos continues as the Germany goalkeeper makes an inexplicable error, dropping the ball right at Bronze’s feet under no real pressure. England have hope!
England 2-4 Germany, 81 minutes
21:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere’s just a slight frailty to the German play as they near what would be a significant win. A soft free kick is given away after a defensive error.
England 2-4 Germany, 79 minutes
21:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleA bit of a worry for Germany as Elisa Senss’s ankle twists nastily as she controls a ball while slightly off balance. The midfielder manages to get a pass away off the floor before the game is halted so she can been attended to.
Thankfully, it appears she has escaped serious damage, and will try to run it off.
England 2-4 Germany, 77 minutes
21:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleLauren Hemp is now playing centrally for England, and thinks she has her side’s third goal after skipping by Pia-Sophie Wolter and firing home. Germany have stepped up at the right time, though, catching Hemp offside.
England 2-4 Germany, 74 minutes
21:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat is Alessia Russo’s last act - she’s replaced by Chloe Kelly in the front three. The striker slumps into her seat on the bench.
GOAL! England 2-4 GERMANY (Sara Dabritz, 72 minutes)
21:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd Sara Dabritz clips it home from the penalty spot! Debate will rage over whether that was a foul, but England’s failure to clear a ball into the box costs them. Germany have a fourth goal that they more than merit.
PENALTY! England 2-3 Germany, 71 minutes
21:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd this may well be the opportunity! A second penalty of the night for the visitors as Alessia Russo is deemed to have caught Pia-Sophie Wolter as the pair poke at a bouncing ball. It looked like Russo got a touch on the ball first, but the VAR sticks with the referee’s call.
England 2-3 Germany, 69 minutes
21:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleGermany are playing virtually with a front four at times, not looking at all to protect their slender lead and instead trying to add to it.
England 2-3 Germany, 68 minutes
20:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleSara Doorsoun’s up-and-down night is done, replaced by club teammate Sophia Kleinherne at the back.
She’s immediately in action, conceding a corner.
England 2-3 Germany, 66 minutes
20:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleLucy Bronze hurls a furious shout at her teammates as she denies Klara Buhl on her latest forward foray. It feels like a matter of time before the fourth goal arrives.
England 2-3 Germany, 64 minutes
20:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother sharp save from Hannah Hampton, though the England goalkeeper is far busier than she would like to be. Geramny earn a follow-up corner from the first set-piece, before Sara Doorsoun blazes high and wide of goal.
England 2-3 Germany, 61 minutes
20:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleGermany also remove their skipper. Giulia Gwinn is replaced by Sara Dabritz, who also takes the armband, while Pia-Sophie Wolter enters proceedings in the place of Sjoeke Nusken.
England 2-3 Germany, 61 minutes
20:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere is that England switch. Off goes captain Leah Williamson, with Alex Greenwood on in her place and into the back four alongside Millie Bright.
Keira Walsh takes the captaincy.
England 2-3 Germany, 60 minutes
20:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother goes begging! Jess Park is robbed in possession and Klara Buhl should do much better from 13 yards out.
England 2-3 Germany, 59 minutes
20:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleA huge chance! Jule Brand produces an irresistable run between three retreating England defenders, the hosts simply unable to handle her long, fluid strides. She settles herself well as she bears down on Hannah Hampton and seems certain to score, but her effort is straight at the goalkeeper, who beats it away.
England 2-3 Germany, 57 minutes
20:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt appears that Sarina Wiegman may be readying a second switch. Alex Greenwood has been called back to the bench and looks to be preparing herself for entry.
England 2-3 Germany, 54 minutes
20:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleA scramble in the England box sees both Linda Dallman and Selina Cerci have glimpses of goal, though some sharp work from Lucy Bronze and Jess Park makes certain that they are only that.
England 2-3 Germany, 52 minutes
20:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleA first glimpse of Jess Park’s ability after her introduction, threading Alessia Russo through. Germany recover well to deny the striker.
England 2-3 Germany, 50 minutes
20:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleLinda Dallman has been so good this evening. The experienced midfielder combines so effectively with Stanway and co. at Bayern Munich, and England haven’t got a handle on her at all.
Germany have the ball in the back of the net, but their muted celebrations suggest they were well away that Selina Cerci had ventured offside in the build-up,
England 2-3 Germany, 48 minutes
20:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleBeth Mead hooks a bouncing ball across the Germany box that Lauren Hemp manages to keep alive, eventually working the ball inside to Georgia Stanway. Seeking a hat trick, Stanway can’t quite force a clear sighting of goal.
England 2-3 Germany, 47 minutes
20:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill Jess Park provide a bit of extra energy in the England midfield? It just felt like they were bypassed too easily and often in that first half.
Second half...
20:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlterations at half time. Jess Park is on for Ella Toone for England, while there’s a double change for Germany with Selina Cerci on for Giovanna Hoffman and Felicitas Rauch replacing Sarai Linder.
Back underway.
Second half...
20:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhew. A necessary refresh at half-time for both sides, with neither manager looking particularly happy at all as that chaotic, careless and captivating half wore on. Surely it can’t continue in this fashion?
England 2-3 Germany
20:20 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s a stunning save form Hannah Hampton, who is not the tallest of goalkeepers but reached brilliantly to tip Linda Dallmann’s long-range strike over the bar. The shot came from England giving the ball away in midfield, which has happened far too often this half.
Quite the half, though. England have done well to limit the damage and get in only one down.
HALF TIME: England 2-3 Germany
20:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 2-3 Germany, 45 + 4 minutes
20:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleOff the crossbar! A quite magnificent effort from Linda Dallman, spotting Hannah Hampton just far enough off her line to chance a lob from all of 35 or 40 yards. Hampton just about gets a fingernail on it to ensure it hits the topside of the bar.
England 2-3 Germany, 45 + 1 minutes
20:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother fun passing move from Germany allows Sarai Linder to draw a firm double-palmed save from Hannah Hampton.
England 2-3 Germany, 45 minutes
20:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleKeira Walsh’s drilled cross is nearly met by Beth Mead as Janina Minge makes an excellent defensive header.
Into five added minutes. Frankly, there could have been more after this madcap half.
England 2-3 Germany, 42 minutes
20:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleBuhl once more. The left winger latches on to Linda Dallman’s pass and only Lucy Bronze’s recovery speed and a touch of dilly-dallying from the German ensure that Hannah Hampton’s goal is not challenged again.
Engalnd 2-3 Germany, 40 minutes
20:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s like a basketball game. Klara Buhl has two crosses blocked by Leah Williamson, the second of them looping into Hannah Hampton’s hands.
England 2-3 Germany, 37 minutes
20:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSo close to an equaliser! A truly incomprehensibly bad pass from Sara Doorsoun is ill-conceived and poorly executed, granting Ella Toone free run on goal. She tries to curl along the carpet into the corner but pushes her shot wide of the post.
England 2-3 Germany
20:07 , Jamie BraidwoodA mad game. Germany manager Christian Wuck is furious because Georgia Stanway bodychecked a Germany player in midfield, before going up the other end of the pitch to fire in. It wasn’t given by the referee.
GOAL! ENGLAND 2-3 Germany (Georgia Stanway, 36 minutes)
20:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleBut at the other end, England have a second!
Georgia Stanway again! What a game this is turning into. Alessia Russo drops deeper and takes on playmaking duties, finding Beth Mead all alone curving in from the right. An onrushing Stanway is set up by the wing and neatly lifts her finish over Ann-Katrin Berger. Five goals in the first half - and with the way this is being played, there could yet be more before the interval.
England 1-3 Germany, 35 minutes
20:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland just look so, so uncertain defensively. Another Klara Buhl surge has them panicking before a strong intervention from Millie Bright.
GOAL! ENGLAND 1-3 Germany (Georgia Stanway, 34 minutes)
20:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Bayern Munich midfielder makes no mistake against a few familiar foes. Dispatched with authority, though her scurry to collect the ball from the back of the net only further reveals England’s plight.
PENALTY! England 0-3 Germany, 33 minutes
20:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd to the spot the finger is pointed for a second time in the first half. Georgia Stanway has the ball...
England 0-3 Germany, 32 minutes
20:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow then. A VAR check as a sliding Giulia Gwinn is struck on a flaying arm. It would be harsh, but you’ve seen them given...and over to the monitor goes the referee.
England 0-3 Germany
20:01 , Jamie BraidwoodUnbelievable. It gets worse. There is anger from Millie Bright in the England defence, which was been unrecognisable tonight. That was so easy for Klara Buhl. Lucy Bronze got nowhere near her.
England are heading for their worst defeat under Wiegman, by a long way.
GOAL! England 0-3 GERMANY (Klara Buhl, 29 minutes)
19:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleA third! It’s too easy for Germany, a lovely pass cutting between the back four and affording Klara Buhl an opportunity to drive at Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton. Bronze stands her up but parts her legs, opening a gap through which Buhl hurries a shot to beat Hannah Hampton at her near post. A disbelieving Wembley falls silent again!
England 0-2 Germany, 28 minutes
19:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland haven’t managed to find their passing fluency so far, perhaps struggling slightly with a heavy Wembley surface.
England 0-2 Germany, 25 minutes
19:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleHannah Hampton is forced to hurry and slide away an improvised clearance after another slip-up in possession from England’s defensive unit.
England 0-2 Germany, 22 minutes
19:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleKlara Buhl jinks into the England box but is unable to beat a couple of defenders rushing across. Still, a corner offers an opportunity for Germany to load the area. A strong defensive header ensures that there is nothing of significant concern from the delivery.
England 0-2 Germany, 20 minutes
19:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleMillie Bright flicks the corner wide of the far post. England have had their chances in this opening period.
England 0-2 Germany, 19 minutes
19:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleGermany are crowding Keira Walsh, trying to deny England’s deep-lying playmaker chances to get on the ball. She shows precisely why that is wise as soon as she is able to extricate herself from the massed bodies, picking out a dreamy diagonal to Lucy Bronze.
A Beth Mead cross then deflects off Alessia Russo’s head and Sara Doorsoun’s thigh for a corner.
England 0-2 Germany, 17 minutes
19:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland just haven’t got to grips with Giulia Gwinn. Again she careers beyond Jess Carter untracked by Lauren Hemp, who is tucking in and letting the right-back run. A bit of thinking to do for Sarina Wiegman, whose current structure looks a little porous.
England 0-2 Germany, 14 minutes
19:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleA chance a minute! Virtually straight from the restart, Alessia Russo neatly navigates beyond Sara Doorsoun and rattles a shot across goal that cannons away off the woodwork.
England 0-2 Germany
19:43 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland are all over the place. Jess Carter was dragged out of position by Jule Brand and Gulia Gwinn could not believe she had to attack from right back.
What a start to this game but the Lionesses need some organisation. At least Alessia Russo has turned up and looks sharp.
GOAL! England 0-2 GERMANY (Giulia Gwinn, 12 minutes)
19:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleA double for Giulia Gwinn!
England denied at one end, Germany strike at the other! What a start for the visitors, cutting the Lionesses to pieces. Gwinn has the freedom of London as she thunders forward up the right, and Jess Carter is unable to get across in time to deny her a shooting opportunity. A friendly peck off the inside of the post and it’s 2-0!
OFFSIDE! England 0-1 Germany, 10 minutes
19:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleA brilliant move from England but up the flag goes! Keira Walsh produces a delicious lift over the top for Ella Toone, who audaciously backheels to Alessia Russo. The striker finds the top corner but her celebrations are curtailed by the hoist of the assistant - and VAR confirms that Toone had been offside when breaking forward.
England 0-1 Germany, 8 minutes
19:38 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnn-Katrin Berger answers England’s carelessness with an error of her own, raising a hand of apology after her defence bail the goalkeeper out. England can’t make much of a resultant corner.
England 0-1 Germany, 6 minutes
19:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleA terrible start for England. Millie Bright was booked for her foul, deemed to have been making a genuine attempt to play the ball. A total gift.
GOAL! England 0-1 GERMANY (Giulia Gwinn, 4 minutes)
19:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleSlotted into the corner! A crisp, confident strike from 12 yards by the Germany captain Giulia Gwinn, which Hannah Hampton is unable to keep out even having gone the right way.
England 0-0 Germany
19:33 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s a disaster for England, and especially their captain. Leah Williamson said there was a lot of “noise” around her place in the team yesterday. There will be even more so now after that horrible back-pass, that put Millie Bright in trouble. I wonder what Alex Greenwood is thinking.
PENALTY! England 0-0 Germany, 3 minutes
19:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn error from Leah Williamson and Germany pounce! An underhit pass in the direction of Millie Bright is cut out by Giovanna Hoffman, who slots in Linda Dallman. She is bundled in the back by Millie Bright, and to the spot the referee points.
England 0-0 Germany, 1 minute
19:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleGermany have new cap Giovanna Hoffman up top, with Linda Dallmann also pushing up from midfield to support the striker in her pressing. Engalnd manage to briefly break the shackles, but Lucy Bronze is unable to keep the ball in play.
KICK OFF!
19:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd we are underway at Wembley.
England vs Germany
19:28 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a pleasant enough night for football, certainly for late October. The two skippers Leah Williamson and Giulia Gwinn slaps hands at the coin toss.
England vs Germany
19:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleOut the players come, Wembley not at full capacity but still plenty of fans in. The recently-retired Steph Houghton leads the Lionesses out, the squad happy to honour such a fine leader of the side.
Lionesses vs Germany
19:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Lionesses will be wearing black armbands tonight as a mark of respect following the passing of Ella Toone’s father.
The Lionesses and Manchester United midfielder shared in a post on social media last month that her dad Nick had died aged 59, just days before he was due to celebrate his 60th birthday.
Toone scored in England’s Euro 2022 final victory over Germany at Wembley and starts for tonight’s rematch against the same opponents.
Why are England wearing black armbands tonight against Germany?
Mary Earps given loud England reception
19:15 , Jamie BraidwoodThe biggest cheer from the England fans already in their seats at Wembley when the teams were read out was for a substitute. Mary Earps’ popularity remains undisputed, despite her place on the England bench tonight.
Lionesses to remain on ITV in the United Kingdom
19:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome broadcasting news ahead of kick off this evening, with ITV remaining the television home of the Lionesses in the United Kingdom after a four-year deal was agreed with the Football Association (FA). The deal will see the broadcaster show all of the England senior women’s teams qualifying fixtures for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and UEFA Women’s EURO 2029, as well as the team’s UEFA Women’s Nations League campaigns and all international friendlies.
ITV will also share coverage of next year’s Euros with the BBC.
Goals a concern for England ahead of Euro 2025?
19:00 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland scored 12 goals across their opening two games of 2024, in the 7-2 v Austria and 5-1 v Italy, but have netted just eight goals across their six outings since.
Sarina Wiegman’s side drew 0-0 with Sweden last time out, a result that booked their place at Euro 2025, but are goals are a concern for the Lionesses?
Alessia Russo was England’s top scorer in qualifying with three while Georgia Stanway got two. Lauren James, Alex Greenwood and Beth Mead all got one each.
Germany start new era ahead of England clash
18:45 , Jamie BraidwoodGermany have a new manager ahead of Euro 2025 and boss Christian Wück will take charge of his first game tonight. He was previously in charge of Germany’s youth teams and led Germany’s men’s Under-17s to the World Cup last year.
He now takes charge of a Germany squad that won bronze at the Paris Olympics this summer, beating Spain in the bronze medal match after defeat to eventual champions the United States in the semi-final.
Wück takes charge at a difficult time, however. Legendary striker and capain Alexandra Popp is set to retire after Monday’s match against Australia, while veterans Marina Hegering and Merle Frohms have also called time on their careers.
Germany have also been hit by injuries and will be missing Bayern Munich’s Lea Schüller and Lena Oberdorf.
Lionesses arriving at Wembley
18:43 , Jamie Braidwood
Sarina Wiegman on Lauren James’ England absence
18:30 , Jamie BraidwoodLauren James was forced to withdraw from England’s squad after picking up a calf injury in Chelsea’s win over FC Twente in the Champions League earlier this month. The forward is recovering at Cobham but Chelsea head coach said she could be out for as much as “five to six weeks” - which may rule her out of the next international break as well.
James has not played for England since April’s win over Republic of Ireland and missed the previous two international windows due to injury as well.
“We want her to be fit, that’s the main thing,” Wiegman said. “Unfortunately she’s injured and she’s working on her recovery.
“She’s in a great environment at her club and as soon as she gets minutes she’ll show quality because that’s the quality Chelsea play at. Then we’ll see how she can fit into the team.”
Giovanna Hoffman makes her debut for Germany in the forward line.
Germany XI: Berger; Gwinn, Doorsoun, Minge, Linder; Dallman, Senss, Brand; Nusken, Buhl, Hoffman.
Here is our starting 1️⃣1️⃣ to take on England 🤩#DFB #GermanFootball #GermanWNT #ENGGER
— German Football (@DFB_Team_EN) October 25, 2024
📸 Thomas Böcker/DFB pic.twitter.com/wZFZ2gbKlj
Team news - England
18:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleHannah Hampton starts in goal for England, while Millie Bright is Leah Williamson’s centre-half partner.
England XI: Hampton; Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Carter; Walsh, Stanway, Toone; Mead, Russo, Hemp.
Starting tonight for the #Lionesses! 👊 pic.twitter.com/MvrZnnengi
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 25, 2024
Sarina Wiegman responds to debate around Thomas Tuchel’s England appointment
18:15 , Jamie BraidwoodSarina Wiegman said she is sure Thomas Tuchel will give everything to bring success to England and end the men’s team’s trophy drought just as she did for the women’s side.
Tuchel was appointed England manager last week ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the German will become the third non-English coach to take charge of the men’s team.
Wiegman led the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory at Wembley and the Dutch coach has been celebrated for helping transform the women’s game in England since her appointment in 2021.
Tuchel replaced Gareth Southgate after his eight-year spell in charge and the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss said he was “sorry I have a German passport” at his unveiling.
Tuchel said he was “proud” to be England manager and added he hoped to convince critics who believe an English coach should lead the national team that nationality did not matter.
Sarina Wiegman responds to debate around Thomas Tuchel’s England appointment
Lionesses set for attendance drop with 54,000 expected at Wembley
18:00 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland’s Euro 2022 final win against Germany was at a sold-out Wembley and there have been further record crowds for fixtures against the United States and Brazil in the Finalissa, but Friday is set to bring a decrease with 54,000 tickets sold.
Wiegman and Williamson said the attendance is still an impressive marker of how far the Lionesses have come since before the Euros and the crowd is expected to be bigger ahead of the United States match next month.
“It’s a real positive we play at Wembley twice with over 100,000 people coming to the stadium,” Wiegman said.
“Of course Wembley can have more people, so hopefully more people can come but we are thinking big and having the opportunity for people to come to the game, we are happy with the amount of people coming to the game.”
Williamson added: “If you take the perspective of playing two games at Wembley so close to each other a few years ago it wouldn’t have happened – 54,000 is still a lot more than most countries will host.
“We have a vision, we have always dreamt the biggest but it’s a step in the right direction and hopefully the way we play tomorrow will bring more people for the next games – that’s our job.”
England ‘know where we want to be’ at start of Euro 2025
17:45 , Jamie BraidwoodSarina Wiegman was asked on how far England have progressed since their Euros victory. The Lionesses reached the Women’s World Cup final the following year, depiste missing several players due to injury, but results and performances have been mixed since.
“You always want to develop faster. The game has increased, the level of the league has increased, meaning international football has too,” Wiegman said.
“There is some transition in our team, the more experienced players are trying to help, and the main thing is we know where we want to be on July 2.
“The start of that is tomorrow evening and we want to play top-level opponents to find out where we are at. It’s really important to have this game against a top-level team to try out things to get information about where we are at and our individuals moving forward.”
There is also fierce competition in midfield. Manchester United’s Grace Clinton and Manchester City’s Jess Park have emerged to provide further options alongside Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone.
The biggest decision may come at goalkeeper, however, where Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton is in contention with Mary Earps to be England’s No 1. Earps, a two-time winner of the Fifa Best goalkeeper of the year, has struggled for minutes since moving to Paris Saint-Germain.
“The competition is really high and everyone really wants to show and wants to earn minutes,” Wiegman said.
“We want to try out some things and hopefully these four games gives us a lot of information. But we also know there’s six or seven months to go and things can change very quickly in football.”
Leah Williamson on the competition at centre-back:
“It’s been that way since I’ve been in the England squad. I was once on the outside and trying to push others and catch up, and we’ve always had a very strong unit. I think it’s fair to say that’s why our output has been successful, because of how much competition there is.
“It’s been a bit different being with the club for so long, usually we would have had an international window so we’re not used to that.
“But this is a Euros year and you’ll see our plans iron out over the next few months. Everyone plays for a club so they can play for their country and everyone knows how much we love it. I’m no different.”
Leah Williamson part of selection ‘headache’ at centre-back
17:00 , Jamie BraidwoodIt was perhaps telling that Leah Williamson appeared alongside Wiegman at St George’s Park, with the captain’s place in England’s defence uncertain amid competition from Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood.
Williamson has returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that forced her to miss last year’s Women’s World Cup but it’s been a difficult start to the season at Arsenal, with Jonas Eidevall resigning amid a poor run of results.
“That is absolutely a headache because they are all really good and really competing for minutes,” Wiegman said when asked about the competition between Williamson, Bright and Greenwood.
“But they are absolutely the headaches I want to have, so it’s a hard decision to make.”
England ‘focused’ on the next Euros cycle ahead of Germany rematch
16:45 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland meet Germany at Wembley in a repeat of the Euro 2022 final as the Lionesses will step up their preparations ahead of next summer’s European Championship defence.
As much as the Germany game on Friday night will evoke memories of England’s historic win in the Euro 2022 final, Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson underlined the importance of “moving forward” as the Lionesses build towards Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
“Of course we will always cherish that memory and it was one of the biggest moments in my career, in my life,” Wiegman said.
“We are focused on now with a different team and it’s the start of the next cycle. So many things have happened to the team since. Germany have always been a powerful team, who want to play the possession game but don’t hesitate to play the long ball either.
“They have a new coach now who might want to do different things so we’ll prepare for everything. It’s really good for us to get that experience at the highest level.”
What is the England team news?
16:32 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland are without Lauren James after the Chelsea forward withdrew from the squad due to injury. Fran Kirby and Lotte Wubben-Moy are also not available for the Germany game but could return against South Africa.
Sarina Wiegman faces a number of selection dilemmas, including in goal where Hannah Hampton is competing with Mary Earps for a starting spot. There is also a decision to be made at centre-back with Leah Williamson, Millie Bright and Alex Greenwood all available.
Grace Clinton has been in good form for Manchester United this season but Ella Toone and Jess Park are also options to start alongside Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway in midfield.
In attack, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo are likely to start. Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly are available but Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones is pushing for her first England start - though that may come against South Africa.
When is England vs Germany?
16:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThe friendly will kick off at 7:30pm BST on Friday 25 October at Wembley Stadium.
England vs Germany TV channel
It will be shown live on ITV 1 and ITV X, with coverage starting at 7pm. If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Good evening
16:30 , Jamie BraidwoodEngland begin the next step of their European Championship defence with a Wembley rematch against Germany, the team the Lionesses defeated to win the Euros two years ago.
Sarina Wiegman’s team booked their place in Switzerland in the summer ahead of next year’s Euro 2025 and wanted games against top-level opposition over the next two international windows.
England’s game against Germany will be followed by a meeting with South Africa in Coventry on Tuesday night, with a further double-header against the United States and Switzerland next month.
Wiegman will be assessing her options ahead of Euro 2025 and a marquee fixture against Germany will show how preparations are going heading into England’s attempts to defend their title.
