PHIL NEVILLE’S Lionesses suffered heartbreaking defeat to Germany in front of the biggest ever crowd at a women’s game in this country. A record 77,768 pairs of eyes were on the Lionesses as they sought to pick up a crucial win after a poor run of results since their brilliant World Cup campaign. And forget […]
PHIL NEVILLE’S Lionesses suffered heartbreaking defeat to Germany in front of the biggest ever crowd at a women’s game in this country.
A record 77,768 pairs of eyes were on the Lionesses as they sought to pick up a crucial win after a poor run of results since their brilliant World Cup campaign.
And forget the special occasion, this was Phil Neville’s toughest test since taking charge of the team.
He approaches the two-year mark since his appointment as manager and is under pressure after only picking up one narrow win in England’s last six games.
The Germans, who are two-time world champions provided a stern test for Neville’s out of form team, winning thanks to goals from Alexandra Popp and Klara Bull.
The hosts, who have only played once before at Wembley, were a goal down after eight minutes, with the England manager looking tense on the side lines.
Popp headed the visitors’ opener thanks to Hendrich who was allowed far too much space to fire a cross into the box.
But England were given a glimmer of hope ten minutes before the break when Beth Mead was taken out by keeper Merle Frohms in the box.
Nikita Parris – who missed two penalties at the World Cup – stepped up to take it, but hit it straight at Frohms – who deflected it over the bar with her leg.
Manchester City striker White, who has only recently returned from a knee injury, boosted the team with her equaliser on 44 minutes.
She scored six goals in the World Cup and has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Jill Scott teed up Keira Walsh who curled in a perfect cross for the World Cup star to poke home before the break.
England – who have lost 20 out of 25 meetings with the Germans – were made to pay after the break.
Lina Magull slid a shot past Manchester United keeper Mary Earps – but the flag went up and her effort was ruled out.
But in the 89th minute Buhl whacked the ball past Earps after Houghton failed to close her down, hammering the final nail in England’s coffin.
The Lionesses, who are playing friendlies in preparation for Euro 2021 on home soil, travel to the Czech Republic on Tuesday for their final match of the calendar year.
