England Women today host the USA in a huge international friendly in front of 85,000 fans at Wembley. The Lionesses are looking to finish the year on a high and welcome a certain Emma Hayes this evening for their penultimate game of 2024, ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Switzerland in Sheffield.
Former Chelsea boss Hayes guided the USWNT to Olympic glory in Paris over the summer and will no doubt relish a return to Wembley, where she enjoyed such success with the Blues. Sarina Wiegman, meanwhile, has seen her England side struggle recently and needs to restore some of the qualities that saw them storm to European Championship glory on home soil two summers ago with their title defence looming next year.
The Lionesses have looked vulnerable in defence of late and have been badly hit by injuries, albeit they remain a dangerous outfit in attack. Still, this is one of the biggest games on the calendar and Wiegman will hope those who are available can raise their levels. Follow England vs USA live below!
England vs USA latest news
- Kick-off time and venue: 5.20pm GMT; Wembley
- TV channel and live stream: ITV
- England team news: Maya Le Tissier ruled out
- Prediction: USA to win
Full time: England 0-0 USA
19:15 , Peter FitzpatrickA game of few chances ends in a stalemate, as Emma Hayes shakes the hands of many of her former Chelsea players.
The 78,000+ attendance for a friendly is the real talking point, however.
Another big step for the women’s game.
Earps has impressed
19:13 , Peter FitzpatrickWith no goals scored, you’d assume the keepers had good games.
Mary Earps didn’t have a huge amount to do, but her distribution has been impressive.
A good night’s work.
Into added time
19:09 , Peter FitzpatrickThere’s four minutes added on, and it looks like ending in a stalemate.
The US are pushing for it
19:01 , Peter FitzpatrickThe Olympic champions are finishing the stronger here, but are missing that final pass or finish.
Dom Smith at Wembley
19:00 , Peter FitzpatrickThe attendance is 78,346, and that feels a significant achievement for a friendly. Perhaps it was expected to edge just above 80,000, but it's been a noisy occasions throughout. Here's hoping the last 10 minutes of action on the pitch can be as lively!
10 minutes to go
18:58 , Peter FitzpatrickAny goal now will likely be the winner.
Wiegman rolls the dice
18:54 , Peter FitzpatrickCan the two substitutes make a difference?
Dom Smith at Wembley
18:53 , Peter FitzpatrickChloe Kelly and Fran Kirby will be coming on shortly for the Lionesses.
Game needs a goal
18:46 , Peter FitzpatrickThat penalty claim is the closest we’ve come to the opener.
Surely there will be one, won’t there?
Dom Smith at Wembley
18:44 , Peter FitzpatrickThat would have been a scandalous decision if the referee had upheld her original decision there. The ball hit Greenwood's arm only after hitting her stomach first. The right call to overturn the awarding of the penalty.
VAR rules out USA penalty!
18:44 , Peter Fitzpatrick64min: England give away the ball, and Alex Greenwood is adjudged to have handled the ball from a USA shot.
However, replays show it hit her body, and it’s been rightly ruled out by VAR.
Building on it!
18:38 , Peter FitzpatrickEngland are getting into better positions.
Could the US live to regret not capitalising on their first half dominance?
Shot on target for England at last
18:37 , Peter Fitzpatrick56min: Leah Williamson heads straight at Alyssa Naeher from a corner, and with that, England are on the board!
Dom Smith at Wembley
18:30 , Peter FitzpatrickLucky escape that offside for England. The USA have ramped their pressure up a level or two since half-time.
Back underway
18:27 , Peter FitzpatrickThe second half has started.
Surely it will be better than the first?
Dom Smith at Wembley
18:10 , Peter FitzpatrickReferee Lina Lehtovaara brings an end to a first half which, in truth, never really got going. England and their visitors from across the pond showing just a little too much respect for each other, cancelling each other out and ultimately leaving us goalless. The United States have been the better side, with Earps needed to deny Thompson, Krueger and Coffey. The Lionesses, meanwhile, have created precious little.
Half time
18:09 , Peter FitzpatrickIt’s goalless at the break, which England will be the happier about.
Dom Smith at Wembley
18:03 , Peter FitzpatrickThe last 10 minutes or so have reverted to type, reflecting the first 15 minutes of the game, when the US were calmly playing it between themselves. England, you feel, need to up the ante a notch or three.
Hayes active on the touchline
17:56 , Peter FitzpatrickThe US boss is patrolling her area, looking for more from her team against players she knows all too well.
Goalmouth scramble
17:55 , Peter Fitzpatrick32min: Earps makes another strong save, and England just about get the ball away.
This game could do with a goal.
Bronze on the charge
17:49 , Peter Fitzpatrick27min: Lucy Bronze shows off her pace with a charging run from right back, but her through ball for Mead is too slow, and is snuffed out.
Dom Smith at Wembley
17:45 , Peter FitzpatrickPromising first England start by Jessica Naz so far. She has helped with defensive work and also managed to have a few runs down the right flank. Overall, it's been quite a tepid match so far.
Russo gets to work
17:44 , Peter Fitzpatrick20min: England are getting a bit more joy now, with Alessia Russo going down the line before playing it to Park.
The midfielder had few options, though, and it led to nothing.
First attack for England
17:39 , Peter Fitzpatrick17min: Jess Park curls a shot well wide from just inside the box after good work from Beth Mead.
A first sight of goal for the Lionesses.
Early booking
17:37 , Peter Fitzpatrick15min: Despite having most of the ball, the USA get the first yellow, Sam Coffey going into the book for stopping an England counter with a blatant foul.
England can't keep the ball
17:34 , Peter FitzpatrickEvery time England win the ball back, they seem to give it straight back to the visitors.
Their performances were poor in October, so maybe there’s a slight confidence issue.
The injury absentees don’t help either.
Dom Smith at Wembley
17:33 , Peter FitzpatrickEngland consistently defending more deeply than I have seen them defend for a long while, here. That's not to say that the United States are creating much, but they are certainly looking more composed on the ball than the Lionesses and dominating possession in the early knockings.
Early chance for the US!
17:27 , Peter Fitzpatrick5min: Mary Earps is called into early action, making a strong save from Alyssa Thompson, who was given way too much space in the box.
Dom Smith at Wembley
17:23 , Peter FitzpatrickI have to say, it is an incredible atmosphere in here. Wembley is almost completely full for what is officially a friendly match. It's a great effort. The noise was deafening just before kick-off when the stadium announcer reminded everyone that here are the two top-ranked nations in the world battling it out.
KICK OFF
17:21 , Peter FitzpatrickAnd we’re underway at Wembley as the two top ranked sides in the world face off in what could be a cracker.
Time for the anthems
17:17 , Peter FitzpatrickHayes said she’d hum both national anthems, and she appears to be doing just that.
It must be a very proud moment for the former Chelsea boss.
15 minutes out
17:05Kick off is fast approaching, and Wembley is filling up!
England in good form
16:55 , Peter FitzpatrickSarina Wiegman’s side have won five of their last six games, with their only loss a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Germany in October.
They’ll be up against it today, though, against the no.1 ranked side in the world, especially with the likes of Lauren James, Ella Toone and Lauren Hemp out with injury.
USA starting lineup
16:18 , Peter FitzpatrickAnd here’s the Olympic champions!
Your XI to face England at Wembley ⬇️
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 30, 2024
England starting lineup
16:17 , Peter FitzpatrickThis is how the Lionesses will line up!
Your #Lionesses starting tonight! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/hE60M787uz
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) November 30, 2024
Previous meetings
15:48 , Peter FitzpatrickToday is the 20th meeting between two of the powerhouses of the women’s international game.
As is the case with most of their head to head records, the US hold the edge, with 12 wins to the Lionesses’ five.
England did win the last clash, though, in October 2022, coming away with a 2-1 victory.
Our exclusive interview with Emma Hayes
15:36 , Peter FitzpatrickEarlier in the week, Standard Sport’s own Dom Smith sat down with Hayes to discuss her new role with the US team, and her life so far in the States.
The former Chelsea boss has admitted it will be “weird” when the anthems are played, but is relishing the occasion.
Hayes has her swagger back ahead of return to English football
15:20Arguably the biggest narrative heading into today’s game is Emma Hayes’ return to English football.
The USWNT manager has enjoyed an incredible start to life in charge, winning the Olympics, and has said she has her “mojo” back after feeling “unwell” with stress by the end of her hugely successful spell with Chelsea.
Chloe Kelly hungry for more international success
15:06 , Peter FitzpatrickAny occasion at Wembley will always bring back incredible memories for Chloe Kelly, with it being the scene of her EURO 2022 final winning goal against Germany.
However, the Man City star is not satisfied, saying “it makes you even more hungry to have that again.”
Kelly’s interview took place alongside Bend it like Beckham director, Gurinder Chadha.
Lucy Bronze relishing Wembley test as Emma Hayes plots Lionesses downfall
14:55 , Jonathan GorrieLucy Bronze says the Lionesses are looking forward to testing themselves against the “crazy mentality” of Emma Hayes’s USA team.
England host the United States at Wembley in front of around 85,000 fans in a prestige friendly on Saturday evening.
England vs USA: Friendly score prediction today
14:53 , Jonathan GorrieEngland have not been in great form recently and the USA will no doubt feel confident of a statement victory.
USA to win, 2-1.
England team news vs USA today
14:52 , Jonathan GorrieManchester United captain Maya Le Tissier will miss the game against the US after being diagnosed with concussion following her side’s WSL defeat to leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy was called up in Le Tissier’s place, but following an assessment back at United, the latter has now returned to the England camp and could feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Switzerland at Bramall Lane.
“The squad is good,” Wiegman explained. “Everyone is on the pitch. Maya is on the pitch. Non-contact today, but looking good.
“She’s not rushed back. After the game, she had a headache, so it’s all to the medical team.
“Then she went into the concussion protocol. She’s done really well. A neutral doctor will finalise that, so she can progress to [full] training sessions and then play.”
England vs USA: How to watch international friendly today
14:51 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The game will be broadcast on free-to-air-television on ITV 1, with coverage starting at 4.30pm GMT ahead of a 5.20pm kick-off time.
Live stream: ITVX, which is free with a subscription, will offer a live stream.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
14:31 , Jonathan GorrieGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England’s huge international friendly against the USA.
Kick-off at Wembley is at 5.20pm GMT.
