England Concludes 2025 with Dominant 2-0 Victory over Ghana

England’s women’s national football team capped off 2025 with a commanding 2-0 victory over Ghana, marking the first encounter between the two nations. The match took place at St Mary’s Stadium and showcased England’s dominance from the outset, although they encountered some challenges along the way.

Aston Villa midfielder Lucia Kendall opened the scoring just six minutes into the match, registering her first senior international goal. The early lead sparked hopes for a high-scoring game, reminiscent of England’s recent 8-0 triumph against China merely four days prior. Ghana, positioned 51 places lower in the FIFA rankings than China, struggled to contain England’s attacking play.

Despite their control, England faced difficulties in extending their lead. An injury to forward Chloe Kelly after just 23 minutes disrupted their rhythm. As the match progressed, England’s inability to convert their chances became evident, with numerous opportunities squandered and four attempts striking the woodwork.

Second Half Developments

The second half saw England continue to press for a goal but initially failed to capitalize on their dominance. Lucy Bronze and Aggie Beever-Jones both struck the crossbar with headers, reinforcing the narrative of missed chances. The frustration grew as England maintained their 1-0 lead into the later stages of the match.

In a dramatic turn of events during stoppage time, England was awarded a penalty after a header from Alessia Russo struck the hand of Ghana’s Comfort Yeboah. The referee reviewed the incident on the pitch-side monitor before confirming the penalty decision. Russo, known for her composure in high-pressure situations, converted the penalty in the 95th minute, securing the victory with a final score of 2-0.

Looking Ahead

With this win, head coach Sarina Wiegman has a brief respite before the Lionesses begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 World Cup. The team is set to face Ukraine on March 3, 2024, followed by a home match against Iceland on March 7. As England prepares for these crucial fixtures, the performance against Ghana serves as a strong foundation for their upcoming challenges.