England Beat Brazil In Penalty Shootout To Win First Ever Women's Finalissima

England beat Brazil in a penalty shootout to win the first ever Women's Finalissima. Mary Earps saved one spot-kick as the Lionesses won 4-2 on penalties.

England beat Brazil in a penalty shootout to win the first ever Women's Finalissima.

The Lionesses had led 1-0 in the game thanks to a fine team goal finished by Ella Toone in the 23rd minute, but Brazil drew level in stoppage time at the end of the second half when Andressa Alves smashed home from close range.

With no extra time in the Women's Finalissima, the game went straight to penalties and England came out on top 4-2.

This was the first time that the England women's national team had won a penalty shootout, having lost both of their previous two.

England goalkeeper Mary Earps pictured celebrating after helping her team beat Brazil in a penalty shootout to win the first ever Women's Finalissima :: IMAGO/Pro Sports Images/Graham Hunt

England had dominated the first half and Toone's goal was well deserved.

Manchester United forward Toone finished with a low shot from inside the penalty area to cap off a brilliant flowing team move by the Lionesses.

Leah Williamson played a short forward pass to Lauren James, who turned quickly before spreading the ball wide for Lucy Bronze. Barcelona right-back Bronze then played a neat one-two with Georgia Stanway before teeing up Toone to score from 10 yards. 

Brazil were much more competitive in the second 45 minutes and came close to equalizing when Geyse's shot from just outside of the penalty area was palmed onto the crossbar by Mary Earps.

But goalkeeper Earps was beaten in the third minute of added time after she failed to cleanly gather a cross from Adriana and spilled the ball into the path of Alves.

Luckily for Earps, she had the perfect opportunity to redeem herself. Earps had said in the build-up to the game that she "enjoyed" penalty shootouts.

The England keeper certainly enjoyed this one as she saved from Tamires and watched on as Brazil captain Rafaelle Souza hit the crossbar.

England's starting XI in the first ever Women's Finalissima - Top row (left to right): Leah Williamson, Lauren James, Mary Earps, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo. Front row (left to right): Jess Carter, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Georgia Stanway, Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood :: IMAGO/Focus Images/Paul Chesterton

Toone failed to convert her spot-kick but Georgia Stanway, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood and Chloe Kelly all found the net to seal a famous win for England in front of 83,132 fans.

Brazil had qualified for the first ever Women's Finalissima by winning the Copa America Femenina last year, while England were there as Euro 2022 champions.

England currently sit fourth in the latest version of the FIFA Women's World Rankings, five places above Brazil.