England dealt reality check in Germany defeat as Euros challenge becomes clear

From the moment it was announced that the would host Germany in a friendly at Wembley Stadium, memories of one of the most significant days in English football history began to stir.

More than two years have passed since Sarina Wiegman's side defeated England's historic foe in the European Championship final to secure the country's first major footballing trophy since 1966. It was a watershed moment for the Lionesses and for the wider women's game, sparking the meteoric rise of a sport that had, for too long, been consigned to the shadows.

But, if Friday night's rematch with the Germans provided the chance for a moment of reflection, it also laid bare the extent of the challenge that lies ahead for the Lionesses ahead of Euro 2025, as they were beaten 4-3 in a topsy-turvy encounter in the capital.

In the 817 days since that momentous night in July 2022, there have been plenty of highs and lows for Wiegman and her players. They have won 19 of their 31 games and also reached a maiden Women's World Cup final, which they narrowly lost to Spain.

England secured automatic progression to next summer's tournament finals back in July, though it is fair to say some of their performances in that qualification campaign left plenty of room for improvement. It was interesting, then, that Wiegman opted against changing her starting XI from her team's last outing: a drab goalless draw with Sweden.

Perhaps the biggest talking point on Friday night was the decision to keep Hannah Hampton in goal at the expense of Euros winner Mary Earps, who left Manchester United to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. Hampton has excelled since joining Chelsea from Aston Villa in 2023, while Earps has struggled for form in France, though Wiegman was quick to dismiss the suggestion that the 23-year-old is now her undisputed No.1.

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"No. That's not right," the England boss told ITV before the game. "The competition is going on. We have really good goalkeepers. Mary and Hannah are in competition with each other and we'll see what that brings."

Hampton was unable to come to the Lionesses' rescue, however, when Germany were handed a penalty just two minutes into the match following a foul by Millie Bright on Linda Dallman, who was put through on goal after a loose back pass from captain Leah Williamson. The spot-kick was coolly converted by Giuilia Gwinn, who went on to double the visitors' lead after 11 minutes, finishing brilliantly into the bottom corner after some shoddy England defending.

The Lionesses did have their chances either side of Gwinn's second of the evening, with Alessia Russo having a superb effort ruled out for offside before seeing another strike ricochet off the post. But they were made to pay for their profligacy when Klara Buhl beat Hampton at her near post to make it 3-0 inside half-an-hour.

Just as the game looked as if it was going to get beyond England, Georgia Stanway reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after Gwinn was rather harshly adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. And the England midfielder quickly bagged her second of the night, diverting Beth Mead's lay-off into the back of the net, while Ella Toone missed a golden opportunity to restore parity before half-time.

But, if it was England who had all the momentum going into the break, it was Germany who saw the pendulum swing firmly back in their favour after the restart. Wolfsburg midfielder Jule Brand had the ball in the back of the net before the visitors' celebrations were cut short by the offside flag, while Hampton was forced into a succession of strong saves.

Christian Wuck's side did manage to add to their tally when they were handed a controversial penalty for a perceived foul by Russo, with Sara Dabritz slotting home from the spot. And, while Lucy Bronze was able to pull another goal back nine minutes from time after a mistake from Berger, it was not enough to spark a late comeback for the hosts.

It marks the first time England have conceded four goals under Wiegman and the first time they have lost at Wembley since 2019. It is something of a reality check for a side who have ambitions of defending their crown in Switzerland next summer, and the Lionesses will hope for a much-improved display when they host South Africa in Coventry on Tuesday.