England defeat world champions USA

England claimed victory in the clash of European and world champions as Sarina Wiegman's side beat the United States 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley.

The Lionesses went ahead through Lauren Hemp’s 10th-minute finish before Sophia Smith equalised in the 28th minute after Georgia Stanway lost possession near her own box.

England then benefited from two VAR checks – one resulting in the penalty from which Stanway restored their lead after 33 minutes, and another soon after that saw Trinity Rodman’s strike for the visitors disallowed, with Smith ruled to have been offside.

VAR also ensured a late penalty award against England for handball, with the ball having struck Hemp’s legs, was overturned as they saw out only a third victory in their last 17 meetings with the US.

It is the first time they have beaten the world number ones since 2017 and represents yet another big plus for the team under Wiegman – whose undefeated tenure now shows 21 wins from 23 games – as they work towards next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

A crowd of 76,893 was in attendance for England’s return to the scene of July’s historic Euros triumph, and those present included a host of former Lionesses as the team’s 50th anniversary was marked.

England and the United States were wearing teal armbands in what they had said was "a show of unity and common cause…to stand in solidarity with sexual abuse victims", and together held up a banner reading 'PROTECT THE PLAYERS’ just before the game started, while the Wembley arch was also lit teal.

The match came four days on from the publication of a report of an independent investigation which said verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct "had become systemic" in the National Women’s Soccer League