England Women will go toe-to-toe with Brazil Women in the first edition of the Women's Finalissima, which will take place at Wembley on Thursday.
The Lionesses booked their place in the Finalissima by winning Women's Euro 2022, while Brazil won their eighth Copa America Femenina last year.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since beginning her tenure as England boss in September 2021, Sarina Wiegman has overseen a remarkable 29-game unbeaten run.
In that period, England went all the way in Euro 2022, beating Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley in the final, and they will have another chance to win a trophy at the famous stadium on Thursday.
The Lionesses also picked up silverware during the most recent international break, securing victories over South Korea, Italy and Belgium to retain the Arnold Clark Cup.
England racked up 12 goals across their three games in February's invitational tournament, highlighting the firepower that they possess in their ranks.
They have also been a resolute defensive unit under Wiegman, keeping 20 clean sheets in her 29 matches as manager and conceding no more than one goal in the other nine matches.
© Reuters
Brazil, meanwhile, secured their place at Wembley by sweeping past the competition to win their fourth consecutive Copa America last year.
Their run in the tournament culminated with a 1-0 victory over Colombia in the final, ensuring that they made their way through all six matches without conceding a single goal.
Like England, Pia Sundhage's side were also involved in an invitational tournament in February, competing in the SheBelieves Cup in the USA.
After winning their opening game against Japan, the Selecao suffered consecutive defeats to Canada and the USA, ensuring that they finished the round-robin competition in third place.
Brazil are now at risk of losing three consecutive games for the first time since the spring of 2019, but they also have the chance to make a statement by ending England's unbeaten run.
- W
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
Team News
© Reuters
Chelsea's Millie Bright pulled out of the squad with a knee injury, and in her absence, Alex Greenwood could feature in the centre of defence alongside captain Leah Williamson.
Georgia Stanway and Kiera Walsh will start in central midfield, while Lauren James and Lauren Hemp are expected to operate on the flanks.
Alessia Russo is expected to get the nod over Rachel Daly to lead the line, and the Manchester United forward will be looking to add to her 11 international goals.
As for Brazil, Lele is likely to start in goal, and she could be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Tainara and Rafaelle Souza.
Having racked up 58 goals in her international career, Debinha will pose as one of Brazil's main attacking threats.
Marta is Brazil's all-time women's scorer with 115 goals, and the experienced forward will provide Sundhage with an option off the bench.
England Women possible starting lineup:
Earps; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Stanway, Walsh; James, Toone, Hemp; Russo
Brazil Women possible starting lineup:
Lele; Bruninha, Tainara, Rafaelle, Tamires; Raysla, Borges, Kerolin, Adriana; Bia Zaneratto, Debinha
We say: England Women 2-0 Brazil Women
England have proven to be an invincible force under Wiegman, and with Wembley set to be packed with home support, we think that they will utilise home advantage to become the inaugural winners of the Women's Finalissima.
No Data Analysis info
Germany
Hungary
Scotland
Switzerland
Albania
Croatia
Italy
Spain
Denmark
England
Serbia
Slovenia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Belgium
Romania
Slovakia
Ukraine
Czech Republic
Georgia
Portugal
Turkey
