England vs. USWNT final score: Sophia Smith scores lone goal for USA in loss to Lionesses at Wembley Stadium

The Americans came up short in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium in a battle of World Cup heavyweights

The United States, the reigning 2019 FIFA World Cup champions, fell to England, the the 2022 Euro champions, 2-1, on Friday in front of a record-setting crowd of 75,000 in attendance at Wembley Stadium in London. England opened the scoring account early with a goal by Lauren Hemp in the 10th minute and Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith nabbed the equalizer and lone goal for the USWNT in the 28th minute. Georgia Stanway made sure the equalizer was short-lived and provided the game-winner, a converted penalty in the 33rd minute to seal the win in a battle of 2023 World Cup heavyweights.

A loss with promising lessons

When the USWNT announced plans for a pair of games in Europe, it was met with great anticipation as head coach Vlatko Andonovski continued to evaluate a consistent pool of players with an eye on the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. But the anticipation for these two heavyweights meeting soured a but when on Monday U.S. Soccer released the full findings of a commissioned investigation by Sally Q. Yates into allegations of past abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women's professional soccer. The full report provided details of sexual misconduct and abuse throughout the National Women's Soccer League and U.S. youth soccer. 

Andonovski told the media that players were allowed to process the news as they desired, which included excused participation in training, team activities or even playing matches. Despite the heavy atmosphere in the lead-up to the match, both national teams expressed a moment of solidarity by wearing teal armbands to support violence and sexual abuse survivors.

The England and USWNT players come onto the pitch with a "Protect the Players" banner and teal armbands to support violence and sexual abuse survivors.

🎥: @FOXSoccerpic.twitter.com/3G5Nk6Gywm

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

The narrow loss provided some promising lessons for Andonovski and the team moving forward: Primarily that many of the younger players who have been involved with the senior-level team can handle big moments. An early goal conceded didn't rattle them. In fact, it woke them up a bit as NWSL rookie standout Naomi Girma provided crucial support on the backline at the center back position. 

Trinity Rodman was tabbed in the starting XI and provided as much in defensive scenarios as she generated in the attack. She came real close to finding the equalizer for the USWNT before VAR overturned the goal due to offsides. 

This was called offside by VAR. 😐

🎥: @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/0zZnpAyOFP

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

Sophia Smith needs no more tests

The 21-year-old Smith is having a massive season for club and country, but has been considered by some pundits as untested among the forward core for USWNT. Smith has provided 14 goals for the Portland Thorns this season and scored her 10th international goal in 2022 for the USWNT against the Lionesses.

"She seemed like she made a name for herself. But we can't forget she's 21 years old," Andovnoski told media after the game. 

"To come in an environment like this, and to be a difference maker, score a goal -- and I told her she had another incredible assist for another goal that was called back -- it just shows the potential that she has. I think that we haven't seen the best of her [yet]. These are games that will expedite Soph's development, and I'm excited to see what she's going to look like six months from, now nine months from now."

SOPHIA SMITH EQUALIZES FOR THE USWNT. 💪

🎥: @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/yT9BxxzBev

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

What's next

The team will now travel to Pamplona where they are scheduled to face the Spanish women's national team on Tuesday. Kickoff at El Sadar Stadium, home of Osasuna, is set for 2:30 p.m. ET -- stream on fuboTV (Try for free).

[Oct 7, 2022 at 6:42 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Capped at 17! ☝️🧢 pic.twitter.com/AV2WumrA6P

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 6:05 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Keep this energy 📈 pic.twitter.com/TmnMub6yVh

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:59 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

The stats from an entertaining game against @USWNT 🔢#Lionesses | @GoogleCloud_UKI pic.twitter.com/85URJQxTho

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:57 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

"I'm very proud of my players to play this game after everything that happened in the last week. Their mental toughness showed tonight."@USWNT's Vlatko Andonovski reflects on their match with England pic.twitter.com/Y3BIwv9x19

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:54 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

We appreciate the support tonight, @AFCRichmond 👊 pic.twitter.com/xpCp535b4e

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:49 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Everywhere.#Lionesses | @weetabix pic.twitter.com/vTRFcQ021Y

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:43 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

👏 pic.twitter.com/2R4YWGuo1m

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:36 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Iconic goals. Iconic celebrations. @Chloe_Kelly98 x @brandichastain pic.twitter.com/QW6dqfjQRb

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:31 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Goals from @lauren__hemp and @StanwayGeorgia secure a memorable win over the world champions! 👊

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:25 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

BIG shift, @LucyBronze! 🔥#Lionesses | @weetabix pic.twitter.com/vnEBkS11CC

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:23 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Game recognizes Game. @brandichastain 🤝 @Chloe_Kelly98 pic.twitter.com/KMY9n2I684

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:16 pm ET · @AttackingThird via Twitter]

Sarina Wiegman has never been beaten as manager of England as they continue a 23-game unbeaten run after their 2-1 victory over the USWNT. 💪

21 of those 23 games have been wins. 😳 pic.twitter.com/9PimnXEdq3

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:11 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Job done. 👏 pic.twitter.com/rHBJiQeiLo

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET · @AttackingThird via Twitter]

This loss for the USWNT snaps a 21-game unbeaten streak dating back to Summer 2021. 🫤 pic.twitter.com/yYnGV3efDt

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Have your say for tonight's Woman of the Match:

🇺🇸 @Trinity_Rodman
🇺🇸 @sophsssmith
🇺🇸 @naomi_girma

Vote in the @ussoccer App below!

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:59 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

It's time to vote for your England Player of the Match connected by @EE! 🗳

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:56 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

FINAL:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ENG 2 - 1 USA 🇺🇸

Much respect, @Lionesses. pic.twitter.com/cAhrHiXLth

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:55 pm ET · @AttackingThird via Twitter]

England get their first win over the USWNT since March 2017 in front of a sold-out crowd of 76,893 fans at Wembley Stadium. 👀 pic.twitter.com/c3nZiIoyUb

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:53 pm ET · @AttackingThird via Twitter]

17-year-old Alyssa Thompson subs on for Megan Rapinoe, becoming the youngest debutant for the USWNT since Mal Pugh in 2016. 👏

Rapinoe was 19 years and 4 months old when Thompson was BORN. 😳

🎥: @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/8iopvwgSce

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:51 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

AMAZING, Wembley... 👏 pic.twitter.com/a3JmyG0lKa

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:48 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

At 17 years and 334 days old, Alyssa Thompson is the 70th teenager all-time to earn a cap for the USWNT and the youngest player to debut for the USA since January of 2016 when Mallory Pugh made her debut at 17 years and 269 days of age. pic.twitter.com/COnb5BKkkb

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:45 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

83' - Final Changes:

🔛 Ashley Sanchez
↩️ @trinity_rodman

🔛 @beckysauerbrunn
↩️ @naomi_girma

🔛 Alyssa Thompson
↩️ @mPinoe pic.twitter.com/rrEVF66zLz

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:45 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Handball penatly overturned 

Lavelle takes a shot that is initially called as a handball, but VAR confirms no handball.

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:44 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

VAR overturns the PK.

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:43 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Megs. 🥜

Love it, @ellatoone99! pic.twitter.com/ewWfZyBjD7

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:43 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

PENALTY!!!!

ROSE'S RIP HITS AN ENGLISH ARM

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:41 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Hempo 💨💨💨💨💨💨

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:31 pm ET · @USWNT via Twitter]

Welcome back, @cdunn19!!!!!

140 days after giving birth to her son Marcel, Crystal Dunn returns to the field for the USWNT.

It’s her 124th career cap and first since September 16, 2021. pic.twitter.com/orVxsMj25U

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:30 pm ET · @Lionesses via Twitter]

Our first-ever captain, Sheila Parker. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hgunVWgnd9

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) October 7, 2022

[Oct 7, 2022 at 4:29 pm ET · @AttackingThird via Twitter]

Crystal Dunn makes her first appearance for the USWNT since giving birth to her son Marcel in May. 👏

🎥: @FOXSoccer pic.twitter.com/tTGoY2yV1J

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) October 7, 2022