The England women's national team brought the curtain down on a historic year with a 2-0 victory over Ghana at a rain-swept St Mary's Stadium in Southampton on Tuesday night. The win concluded their celebratory homecoming series following their Euro 2025 triumph in Switzerland.
A Dominant Display Seals the Year
In a match that lacked the high-stakes drama of their summer exploits, Sarina Wiegman's European champions controlled proceedings from start to finish. The breakthrough came early, after just six minutes, courtesy of Aston Villa's Lucia Kendall. The forward, earning only her third cap, capitalised on a defensive error to slot home her first international goal, a poignant moment for a player who spent a decade in Southampton's academy.
The Lionesses' dominance was near-total, with the action largely confined to Ghana's half. Chances for Aggie Beever-Jones, Missy Bo Kearns, and Beth Mead came and went, while Kendall saw a header bounce onto the crossbar. The woodwork was struck twice more after the break, first by Lucy Bronze and then by Beever-Jones, as a resilient Ghana defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan, held firm.
Russo's Late Penalty Caps Off the Night
The second goal proved elusive until deep into stoppage time. A handball in the area presented Alessia Russo with the opportunity from the penalty spot, which she converted with a calm side-foot finish to double the lead. The final scoreline of 2-0 barely reflected England's overwhelming possession and chance creation throughout the friendly encounter.
The match offered Wiegman a valuable chance to rotate her squad and provide minutes to players who will be crucial in the new World Cup cycle, building towards the 2027 tournament in Brazil. A minor concern emerged when Arsenal's Chloe Kelly was forced off after 30 minutes with an apparent leg injury.
Reflecting on an Unforgettable 2025
This fixture marked the final act of a four-match homecoming tour across the country, designed to celebrate the team's European championship success. The victory over Ghana means the Lionesses finish the series with three wins from four matches, a fitting end to a year that will be forever etched in the history of English football.
While the competitive edge was absent in Southampton, the result served as a satisfying punctuation mark on a glorious chapter. The focus for Wiegman and her squad now shifts decisively to the future and the challenges of defending their European crown and conquering the world stage.
