The Arsenal star had struggled in the build-up to this fixture but Sarina Wiegman kept her in the line-up and it won't have helped her confidence
When Germany's third goal went in on Friday, England could've been forgiven for feeling like the final whistle at Wembley was near. The Lionesses had been run ragged by their visitors, who looked hungry and eager to prove something under new boss Christian Wuck. Yet, any who took a glance at the big screen will have seen that full-time was nowhere near – with just 29 minutes on the clock as Germany gave themselves an almighty advantage that, despite two first half goals from Georgia Stanway, England could not claw back in a 4-3 defeat.
It was the first time the Lionesses had conceded three before the break in 10 years, a stat that underlined easily the worst defensive performance of Sarina Wiegman's tenure. Just three minutes had been played when the first went in, after an error from Leah Williamson forced Millie Bright to bring down Linda Dallmann and Giulia Gwinn scored from the spot. Not long after, Gwinn had another, easing in down the right to expose a total lack of communication in the opposition. Klara Buhl got the third, rifling a shot through Lucy Bronze's legs.
There had been some glimpses on the attack from England, namely through Alessia Russo, who had a goal pulled back for offside and also hit the post, and Georgia Stanway was able to claw some of the deficit back through two strikes before half time. However, those heroics simply papered over the cracks and allowed the scoreline to flatter the hosts.
Germany deserved to win and win big, and they should've done the latter with the chances created. Buhl and Jule Brand both let the Lionesses off the hook when they spurned big opportunities after the break, while Hannah Hampton made good saves to deny both Dallmann and Felicitas Rauch. Sara Dabritz did give the visitors a well-earned fourth before the day was over, even if the penalty she converted was harshly awarded, and then Ann-Katrin Berger handed Bronze the chance to narrow the scoreline again.
This was the first of four friendlies that England will play to close out 2024, games in which Wiegman can experiment, take a look at new players and learn more about her team ahead of the 2025 European Championships. If there was one lesson to take away from this one though, it's that the Lionesses will not be retaining their continental crown if they defend like this next summer.
GOAL rates England's players from Wembley Stadium…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (5/10):
Made a couple of good saves but also had some poor moments.
Lucy Bronze (4/10):
Caught out of position far too many times and didn't do enough to thwart Buhl when one-on-one with her for the third goal.
Millie Bright (4/10):
Easily beaten and unconvincing in several moments as part of a defence that looked discombobulated throughout.
Leah Williamson (3/10):
Played an awful pass that let Germany in for the first goal and was just generally out of sorts.
Jess Carter (4/10):
Had not played left-back for months and it showed. In that sense, it was not her fault entirely that she often just wasn't in the right spaces.
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Keira Walsh (5/10):
Fine when she was on the ball but positioning off it was not connected enough with the defence.
Georgia Stanway (7/10):
Cool penalty started an England comeback and a fantastic finish continued it. One of few who emerged with credit.
Ella Toone (4/10):
Should've levelled the scores at 3-3 before the break but missed the target under little pressure. Couldn't get much more involved than that before going off at half time.
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Beth Mead (4/10):
Got in good space to pick up Stanway for her second goal. Was generally stifled otherwise.
Alessia Russo (6/10):
One of the few players to look good in the opening half an hour. Thumping finish was only ruled out for an offside on Stanway and then she hit the post. Worked hard and contributed well to build-up, picking out Mead for the second.
Lauren Hemp (5/10):
Plenty of endeavour but a lack of end product.
Subs & Manager
Jess Park (5/10):
Came on at half time but struggled to really impact the game.
Alex Greenwood (5/10):
Had half an hour to make her mark but was going to take more than her second half introduction to stop the holes appearing in the defence.
Chloe Kelly (N/A):
On for the final 15 minutes but couldn't do much.
Jessica Naz (N/A):
Got less than 10 minutes in the No.9 role.
Maya Le Tissier (N/A):
Replaced Bronze in the closing stages.
Sarina Wiegman (4/10):
Friendlies are about experimenting and trying different things and so it felt bizarre to see Wiegman stick with a tried and tested XI. Worst of all, despite all these players being regulars under her, they lacked understanding and communication. To play Williamson when she is clearly out of form was also a strange decision which was instantly costly.
