Preview: England Women vs. Australia Women
After winning the inaugural edition of the Women’s Finalissima, England Women will continue their preparations for the 2023 World Cup with a friendly against Australia Women at the Brentford Community Stadium on Tuesday.
The visitors, who will co-host the World Cup alongside New Zealand, will be looking for a response after losing 1-0 in Friday’s friendly against Scotland.
After winning the European Championships last year, England earned their way into Thursday’s Finalissima against the reigning champions of South America, Brazil.
The Lionesses looked set to win the contest in regulation time when Ella Toone swept home her 16th international goal in the 23rd minute.
However, England were unable to hold on as Roma’s Andressa Alves tapped home a 93rd-minute equaliser to send the first Women’s Finalissima straight to penalties.
Although Toone missed her spot kick, Brazil’s Tamires and Rafaelle Souza were also unable to convert, ensuring that the Lionesses lifted a trophy at Wembley for the second time in seven months.
England will now turn their attention to Tuesday’s friendly where they will be looking to extend their unbeaten run under Sarina Wiegman to 31 matches, as they attempt to build momentum ahead of the World Cup, which starts in July.
Australia, meanwhile, enjoyed a run of seven consecutive victories prior to Friday’s friendly against Scotland and the Cherry Red Records Stadium in London.
However, their winning run was abruptly brought to an end, as Scotland’s Nicola Docherty scored the decisive goal to condemn Australia to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
After losing for the first time since September, the Matildas will be keen to bounce back on Tuesday as they build towards the prestigious honour of co-hosting the World Cup.
Their most recent meeting with England took place at Craven Cottage in October 2018 when Australia managed to hold the Lionesses to a 1-1 draw.
Australia will be looking to go one better at the Brentford Community Stadium as they look to become the first team to beat England since April 2021.
England Women friendly form:
WWWDWD
England Women form (all competitions):
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Australia Women friendly form:
LWWWWL
Australia Women form (all competitions):
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We say: England Women 2-1 Australia Women
Tuesday’s friendly represents a good test for both nations ahead of the World Cup, but with England yet to lose under Wiegman and with home advantage in their favour, we think that they will claim a narrow victory over Australia.