Soccer Football - International Friendly - Women - England v United States - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - November 30, 2024 United States' Samantha Coffey in action with England's Francesca Kirby Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
LONDON (Reuters) -England's women held Olympic champions United States to a scoreless draw in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, ending the Americans' nine-game winning streak in the battle between the world's top two nations.
The number one-ranked Americans, who are unbeaten in 19 matches, forced England goalkeeper Mary Earps to make several huge saves, and then had goal from Lindsey Horan chalked off early in the second half for offside.
The American players celebrated briefly again minutes later when the referee pointed to the penalty spot believing England defender Alex Greenwood had handled the ball. The decision was overturned after a VAR check.
"Very intense game. It is at the highest level," England manager Sarina Wiegman told ITV. "We had some moments. As a team, we defended really well and we could have pressed them. Lots of learnings from this game. Very intense game and hope everyone who watched it liked the team."
Wiegman's second-ranked England, who were using the game as part of their preparations for Euro 2025 where they will be defending champions, grew into the game and Beth Mead blazed a late shot just wide of the post in one of their best chances.
"It was tough, as you'd expect against the Olympic champions," Earps told ITV. "We were hard to beat and resolute and stuck together as a group. There are things to build on but I think we will take a 0-0."
Earps started in net on Saturday ahead of Hannah Hampton.
"We know how good (Earps) is," Wiegman said. "The competition with her with Hannah is very good and she showed up today."
The friendly in front of 78,346 fans at Wembley marked Emma Hayes's first game back in her home country since she left Chelsea after 12 years to coach the U.S. team in May.
Both sides were missing key players, with the U.S. absences most evident on their front line, with Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson - nicknamed "triple espresso" - all out injured.
England were missing Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Ella Toone and Maya Le Tissier.
England's clean sheet, albeit against a weakened American side, was a big boost considering they have been nowhere near their best of late, losing 4-3 to Germany late last month at Wembley in a horrible defensive performance, before edging South Africa 2-1 four nights later.
"Listen, when you have to play England, especially after the defeat to Germany, we knew that there was going to be a reaction to that performance," Hayes said. "But we kept the crowd quiet. I thought we controlled the game. I feel like I've got chance to see so many younger, less experienced players, so I got a chance to see them under the lights, under pressure.
"I'm super proud of the way we imposed ourselves on them. It was just the last part of the pitch, and when you lose the quality we have by not having 'the triple espresso' here, those players that start or finish the game have to learn to pick the right moments and execute with a quality that I felt was just lacking. But generally I'm pleased with the performance."
The U.S. head to the Hague next to play the Netherlands on Tuesday, while England take on Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland in a friendly on Tuesday at Sheffield's Bramall Lane.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester, England, editing by Clare Fallon and Pritha Sarkar)
