Kerr and Grant strike as Australia end sloppy England’s long unbeaten run

The spectre of defeat loomed over England as each game extended their impressive unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman.

That the 30-game run came to an end with a limp and frustrating performance in a 2-0 defeat to World Cup co-hosts Australia in the team’s final match before the manager names her squad is far from ideal.

Yes, it has punctured an air of almost invincibility but perhaps it is not the worst thing to get a loss out of the way before the tournament begins in July. It was Sam Kerr that delivered the first blow, and then was on hand to provide the assist for the second, Charlotte Grant’s header from her cross taking a wicked deflection off England captain Leah Williamson to send goalkeeper Mary Earps the wrong way.

As promised there was little change to the starting XI that faced Brazil in the Finalissima the preceding Thursday, with Wiegman choosing to go with a line-up as close to the one we will likely see at the World Cup, injuries considered.

There were two changes to the team which beat Brazil on penalties, one was enforced, with Esme Morgan replacing injured Alex Greenwood at centre-back, herself a stand-in for the injured Millie Bright. Meanwhile, the scorer of the winning penalty at Wembley, Chloe Kelly, was preferred to Lauren James.

For Australia there were two changes to the side that suffered a 1-0 defeat to Scotland, with Tameka Yallop on in place of Larissa Crummer and Chelsea forward Kerr favoured over Cortnee Vine.

Conditions at Brentford weren’t as kind to either side that Wembley and AFC Wimbledon’s home had been, with rain lashing down the slick pitch throughout.

It took four minutes for the hosts to threaten, with left-back Jess Carter playing a one-two with Lauren Hemp, the winger sent a low