The England women's national football team, the Lionesses, brought the curtain down on their 2025 homecoming celebrations with a commanding 2-0 victory over Ghana at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium.
Kendall and Russo Secure the Win
Aston Villa's Lucia Kendall broke the deadlock in the first half, scoring her maiden goal for her country. This pivotal moment gave England a lead they would never relinquish. The home side dominated proceedings, creating numerous chances and striking the woodwork on several occasions.
The result was finally put beyond doubt deep into stoppage time when Alessia Russo confidently converted from the penalty spot. Her goal came after a sustained period of pressure from the European champions, ensuring the friendly match ended with a clean sheet.
A Fitting End to a Celebratory Year
This match formed part of a celebratory tour following the team's historic triumph at the UEFA Women's EURO 2022. Head coach Sarina Wiegman used the occasion to provide valuable minutes to squad players, testing her options ahead of future competitions.
While the final scoreline read 2-0, it did not fully reflect England's overwhelming control of the game from start to finish. The performance served as a positive conclusion to their domestic fixtures for the year, showcasing both established talent and emerging depth within the squad.
Looking Ahead
The victory at St Mary's on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, caps off a successful period for the Lionesses. It reinforces their status as one of the world's leading sides and provides a solid foundation as they build towards their next major tournament objectives. The win, achieved in front of a home crowd, was a fitting tribute to a team that continues to inspire and break new ground.
