England Lionesses beat Brazil 4-2 (pens) to lift Finalissima trophy 

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau

The Lionesses of England on Thursday night beat the ‘Samba Girls’ of Brazil 4-2 on penalties after both ended the regulation time 1-1in the maiden ‘Women’s Finalissima’, an Inter-continental friendly game to prepare both country for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final in Australia and New Zealand.

England’s Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick to settle the inaugural Women’s Finalissima after a dramatic evening against Brazil in front of a 83,132 Wembley crowd ended in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory.

Ella Toone looked to have secured the win for England with her 23rd-minute strike the game’s only goal going into the third minute of second-half stoppage time.

But Andressa Alves managed to beat England keeper Mary Earps to force the shootout, where Georgia Stanway, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood and Kelly – who scored the goal here that made the Lionesses European champions last summer – got the job done.

Head Coach, Sarina Wiegman’s side are now undefeated in 30 matches, and will look to extend that streak when they host Australia in next week’s pre-World Cup friendly.