Nothing boring about the football played at Wembley Stadium on Friday night as England played to a 4-3 finish, falling to Germany, with 2025 European Championship preparations on their minds. The two teams scored five goals collectively in the opening 35 minutes for a wide-open first half before things settled down at the break. Germany stunned England early with three goals in the first 30 minutes, including two from Giulia Gwinn, whose fourth-minute penalty quieted the Wembley home crowd.
Georgia Stanway answered with a double of her own in three minutes. Advertisement Things calmed in the second half with both sides splitting opportunities. But it was Sara Dabritz’s penalty in the 72nd minute that ultimately secured the victory for Germany, forcing Sarina Wiegman’s side to concede four goals for the first time in her tenure.
England defender Lucy Bronze got one back before full time when Germany goalkeeper Ann-Karin Berger spilled an England free kick, but it wasn’t enough to overcome. Wiegman provided a shock of her own before the match, opting for Chelsea keeper Hannah Hampton over long-time No. 1 Mary Earps to mixed results.
Charlotte Harpur and Megan Feringa were at Wembley to analyse the main talking points. How was Germany able to get through England’s defence? Wiegman’s preferred centre-back partnership was under the spotlight heading into Friday night. And her selection of Leah Williamson and Millie Bright — neither of whom has returned to the performan.
