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England won the First Finalissima after defeating Brazil in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 tie.
Chloe Kelly was the Wembley hero once more, scoring the game-winning penalty to cement the Lionesses’ place in history.
Ella Toone quickly gave England the advantage, and they held on to that advantage until substitute Andressa Alves capitalized on a loose ball that England goalkeeper Mary Earps had spilled.
The game was decided by a penalty shootout, which England won 4-2.
In the early stages, England threatened Brazil and caused problems down the channels.
Lucy Bronze put goalkeeper Leticia Izidoro to the test with a fierce long-range strike as she enjoyed free rein floating into midfield from right-back, but the goalkeeper saved the Barcelona defender’s effort.
England’s early pressure and patience paid off when Toone scored from 10 yards out in her 30th appearance for Sarina Wiegman’s team.
Bronze and Georgia Stanway exchanged quick passes before the former was able to direct a low cross back towards Toone, who had surged into the box before smashing a shot into the bottom left corner.
Lauren James’ high finish into the roof of the net gave England the ball back six minutes later, but she had made her run too soon and drifted into an offside position.
Lauren Hemp was waiting for James’ cross when she floated it into the six-yard box as part of another England attack. But her close-range header was stopped at the very last second.
Minutes before the break, Russo and James both attempted to extend England’s lead. Bronze passed the ball to Russo, after having an excellent first half, but James’ curling effort from the edge of the box missed the target.
England beat Brazil in Penalty Shootout to win the Finalissima
Brazil’s near-equalizer in the second half served as a wake-up call for England, who had started the period sloppily. Despite being plain and mistiming her shot in front of goal, Adriana failed to convert Geyse’s cross.
Following a foul on Toone 25 yards from the goal, Brazil contested once more. Geyse, who later became a thorn in England’s side, struck well, but Earps was able to tip the lobbed attempt over the bar.
As Hemp had a shot on the edge of the box well saved by a strong Leticia hand, the Lionesses pulled their socks up and the momentum shifted back to the hosts.
Leah Williamson came to England’s rescue when she crucially intercepted a cross from Bia Zaneratto, who had stolen the ball from Alex Greenwood before looking for an unmarked Geyse in the box, but Williamson was the only remaining defender to clear the danger.
Brazil snatched an equalizer in added time through substitute Alves, who pounced on Earps’ spilt cross to fire the equalizer into the roof of the net and send the game to penalties.
Despite both goalkeepers getting a strong hand on the ball, Stanway and Adrina scored the first penalties, before Toone had her penalty saved.
Tamires took advantage of the opportunity to give Brazil the lead, but Earps reacted quickly to keep her low effort out.
Daly converted her penalty to put England ahead 2-1, but Brazil captain and Arsenal star Rafaelle hit the crossbar with Brazil’s next attempt.
Kerolin equalized Greenwood’s goal to make it 3-2, but England took the lead when Kelly hammered home the winner.
