England collapsed defensively to concede three times inside the opening 30 minutes and couldn’t recover despite launching a valiant comeback in an epic 4-3 defeat to Germany at Wembley.
Germany, under new manager Christian Wuck, exacted revenge in the first meeting between the two sides since the Lionesses’ Euro 2022 final victory.
England’s problems started in only the second minute when captain Leah Williamson’s loose pass allowed Giovanna Hoffmann to play in Klara Buhl, who was brought down in the area by Millie Bright which left Giulia Gwinn to slot home the spot-kick.
Gwinn netted her second in only the 11th minute by firing in off the left post, in between Alessia Russo having an instant equaliser ruled out for offside and then striking the woodwork.
Germany’s effective press in a 4-4-2 formation allowed Buhl to hammer in a third at Hampton’s near post to put the visitors into dreamland and leave Wembley stunned inside the opening half hour.
However, Georgia Stanway quickly snapped them out of it, scoring twice in three minutes. The first was a penalty after Gwinn was punished by VAR for handball and the second an emphatic finish from inside the box.
Ella Toone should have levelled the scores with five minutes left of a thrilling first half, side-footing inches wide of the right post before Hannah Hampton had to tip Linda Dallmann’s long-range effort onto the crossbar.
Jule Brand had a fourth ruled out for offside early in the second half as Germany grew stronger, with Brand forcing Hampton to save before Buhl skied a good chance. Eventually the pressure told when Russo conceded a penalty and substitute Sara Dabritz dispatched it.
England, to their credit, never gave up and after Lauren Hemp had a fine solo goal ruled out for offside, Lucy Bronze capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger to set up a grandstand finish – but England could not find an equaliser.
What’s next?
England will now shift their focus to the next friendly against South Africa on October 29.
After that, the international side will next link up in the latter stages of November for friendlies against Emma Hayes’ USWNT on November 30 and Switzerland on December 3.