Sarina Wiegman's European Championship winning side beat world champions the USA for the first time since 2017 in front of 76,893 fans at Wembley Stadium on Friday evening.

England beat the United States 2-1 in a women's football friendly at Wembley Stadium in front of over 70,000 fans on Friday (7 October) evening.

That was the first win for the 'Lionesses' against the USWNT since March 2017 as they managed to beat them for the third time in 11 meetings with just 10 months to go before hosting the 2023 Women's FIFA World Cup.

An end-to-end 90 minutes saw all three goals come in the first 45.

Lauren Hemp opened the scoring for the 2022 European Champions, before Sophia Smith tied things up before the half hour mark.

Georgia Stanway's 32nd minute penalty restored the Lionesses lead, and helped secure a rare win over Vlatko Andonvoski's side.

For a game that invoked excitement across the world, this clash of titans lived up to expectations.

The opening 45 minutes had everything a packed Wembley Stadium could have wanted: goals, drama and excitement with some of the world's best players going head-to-head.

And they would have to wait just 10 minutes to see the first goal of the game, with the Lionesses pouncing first.

Dominating down the wing, Beth Mead played a dangerous ball across goal which was initially intercepted by Alana Cook - but when the USWNT defender couldn't quite get it clear, Lauren Hemp was the first to react to slot the ball beyond Alyssa Naeher between the sticks.

In the absence of European winning captain Leah Williamson at the heart of England's defence, the USA took full advantage - and just before the half hour mark, levelled the scoring.

Playing out from the back, the English invited pressure from the Americans which subsequently saw Lindsey Horan dispossess Georgia Stanway deep into her own half. Sophia Smith latched onto the loose ball and took one touch before burying her effort into the bottom corner of Mary Earps' goal at the first time of asking.

But much to the delight of Wembley's near sell-out attendees, Wiegman's side restored their lead less than five minutes later.

Lucy Bronze found herself on the end of an unfortunate high boot from first-half substitute Hailie Mace, resulting in a penalty kick after a VAR review.

Just as she did for her team at the European Championships this summer, Stanway stepped up and coolly placed the ball into the bottom corner, sending Naeher the wrong way.

After already intervening to award a penalty, VAR was involved once again to the dismay of the USWNT.

Trinity Rodman finished off an incredible move that involved Cook, Megan Rapinoe and Smith to come from behind once again - but a lengthy review saw it ruled out for offside by the narrowest of margins.

With no changes by either manager at the break, the second half picked up where the first one left off. 

Vlatko Andonovski's side enjoyed more of the early opportunities, but many of their battles were lost in the middle of the park due to the sheer dominance of Keira Walsh, who dictated the game to England's liking. 

With 20 minutes to go, Rodman would have looked to have a free shot on goal with the view of levelling the score once again but for a brilliant recovery tackle from Rachel Daly. 

In the 80th minute, the USA were set to be gifted a golden opportunity to equalise when they were awarded a penalty. 

The referee pointed to the spot following a suspected Hemp handball, but a VAR review rightfully overturned the on-field decision.

Despite a final roll of the dice with a triple substitution late on, the English resilience proved too much of an obstacle for Andonovski and his team.

And, in a rare occasion between the two, the Lionesses held on to beat the USA, laying down their intentions for next year’s World Cup having now recorded a recent win over the reigning champions.

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday (11 October), where the USA will face Spain and England take on Czech Republic.