Wiegman Reflects on England’s 2-0 Win Over Ghana
England closed out their landmark 2025 campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Ghana at St. Mary’s, a result that Sarina Wiegman described as “another important step” toward the next World Cup cycle.
The European champions dominated from start to finish in Southampton, yet the match offered something more valuable than scoreline drama: a glimpse into England’s evolving depth, highlighted by Lucia Kendall’s first senior international goal and a stoppage-time penalty from Alessia Russo.
England’s homecoming tour staged to commemorate their Euro 2025 triumph in Switzerland has carried a celebratory feel all autumn. But this final stop on the south coast arrived with its own layer of significance. With the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil already visible on the horizon, Wiegman used the evening to test her rotation players under low-risk conditions.
It paid off almost immediately. After just six minutes, Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall, who spent a decade in Southampton’s academy system, punished a defensive miscue from Bénédicte Simon, sweeping home inside the box to hand England an early lead on her third cap. It was a milestone moment for a player many inside the FA view as a key figure for the next generation.
From there, the first half unfolded almost exclusively inside Ghana’s half. England pressed, probed, and recycled possession with ease, though the visitors held firm. Aggie Beever-Jones forced goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan into a reflex save, and Missy Bo Kearns nearly caught the defense sleeping with a looping ball that drifted dangerously toward the far post.
There was, however, one worrying note: Chloe Kelly limped off before the half-hour mark with what appeared to be a leg issue, an unwelcome sight for Arsenal ahead of crucial Champions League fixtures in December. The injury subdued the atmosphere, even as England continued to create chances.
Beth Mead sparked another flurry of opportunities late in the half, sliding a pass to Kearns, whose low drive was parried behind. Moments later, Kendall almost doubled her tally with a header that bounced off the turf and smacked against the crossbar.
If the second half looked familiar, it was because England resumed their siege immediately. Within minutes, Lucy Bronze rose to meet a Taylor Hinds cross, thumping a header off the bar. Seconds later, Beever-Jones rattled the woodwork again, underlining the dominance that never fully translated to the scoreboard.
Laura Blindkilde Brown’s clever cut-back created another opening for Beever-Jones, only for a deflection to steer her effort wide. Ghana defended with admirable determination, and Konlan remained sharp, denying substitute Alessia Russo after a well-choreographed free-kick routine.
But England’s pressure finally told in stoppage time. A Ghana handball in the box granted Russo a late chance to seal the match, and the forward dispatched the penalty calmly into the corner to make it 2-0.
Despite the modest margin, the performance reflected England’s authority — and their growing squad depth. More importantly, it quietly hinted at the internal competition brewing ahead of next year’s World Cup qualifying stretch.
For Wiegman, the result was less about entertainment and more about preparation. England ends the year with momentum, clarity, and a widening pool of contributors. And while the south-coast rain dampened the spectacle, it couldn’t wash away the sense that a new chapter is already forming.
The Lionesses have celebrated their triumphs. Now comes the next mission: building a squad capable of conquering Brazil in 2027.