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The Lionesses of England won the maiden Women's Finalissima after beating Brazil on penalties
The Lionesses of England sent a warning ahead of the 2023 FIFA World Cup with a Finalissima win over Brazil as preparations for the tournament heats up.
England beat Brazil on penalties to win Finalissima
England goalkeeper Georgia Stanway saved twice from the spot in the penalty shootout from Tamires and Rafaelle as England won their second trophy in a year, following up the 2022 EUROS with the first edition of the Women’s Finalissima match between the champions of Europe and South America.
The match is an equivalent of the final match between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Euro 2021 Champions Italy, which the future World Champions won, and was played at Wembley, the exact location where England’s women claimed their first European title.
Just like in the Women’s Euros final, Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly scored the decisive goal that gave England the win, as the 25-year-old forward scored the winning penalty for the Lionesses.
The two teams were tied after normal time after a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser from Brazil legend Andressa Alves cancelled out Ella Toone’s first-half goal for England.
England looking to imitate Argentina with Finalissima win
England will be elated at the victory, especially with the FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon, as the winners of the equivalent of the men’s Finalissima went on to win the World Cup.
On that occasion, Argentina defeated European champions Italy 3-0 with goals from Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala.
They went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup after a victory in the final on penalties against France.
England will hope the Lionesses will be able to replicate Argentina’s feat at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, for which they are among the favourites.
With victory over another of the favourites, England have sent a warning to other countries, letting them know that they will be one of the teams to beat when the countries gather in July for the World Cup.
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