England continued a remarkable 2022 by defeating world champions USA 2-1 in front of a sell-out crowd to enjoy a glorious Wembley homecoming.

Goals from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway ensured the European champions edged an entertaining Friday night contest, the latter a penalty given after a VAR intervention.

This was after Sophia Smith had fired past Mary Earps to equalise, as the Lionesses conceded for the first time since the EUROs. The video officials took centre stage in an action-packed first half that saw three goals, a penalty and an American equaliser disallowed after a review.

USA did apply pressure after the break but the impressive Lionesses were good value for the win, in their first game back at Wembley 68 days on from that glorious summer triumph over Germany.

In the week that women’s football in America has been rocked by an independent investigation which found ‘systemic’ abusive behaviour and sexual misconduct, players from both sides showed solidarity by taking part in a moment’s silence prior to kick-off.

Sarina Wiegman had made five changes to the side that thrashed Luxembourg 10-0 last time out, but the hosts looked settled from the off with newly-crowned England Player of the Year Beth Mead testing Alyssa Naeher in the opening stages.

And the lively Mead’s next attacking foray led to the opening goal, her cross finding Hemp who made no mistake from close range for her tenth international strike.

The City forward nearly had another only a few minutes later, but couldn't quite divert Chloe Kelly’s cross past Naeher.

But the world champions were never going to lie down easily and when Lindsey Horan robbed Stanway close to the penalty area, Smith fired in the equaliser to temporarily silence a noisy Wembley.

But the Bayern Munich summer signing was able to redeem herself just minutes later.

A VAR review confirmed substitute Hailie Mace’s high foot on Lucy Bronze, with Riem Hussein pointing to the spot after checking the pitchside monitor, Stanway sending Naeher the wrong way from 12 yards.

The visitors appeared to have levelled within four minutes through Trinity Rodman after a slick breakway, only for another lengthy review to show Smith was marginally offside in the build-up.

In truth, it would have been harsh on the Lionesses who were the better side in the opening 45, with Hemp forcing a smart save from Naeher in injury time to ensure the sides went into the break only a goal apart.

The lively Smith dragged one just beyond Earps’ far post after the break, while at the other end Kelly curled one just wide.

Bronze also flashed one into the side netting after great work from Hemp who had the better of the visitors’ defence throughout.

The world champions did rally with Rodman missing a good chance from inside the area, but Stanway nearly settled the contest with a left-footed drive that only narrowly missed the target.

There was still time for England to survive another scare, as VAR overturned a USA penalty after Rose Lavelle’s effort was blocked by Hemp, crucially without using her arm, with Hussein once again checking the monitor.

Stanway went close again in added time but could only volley over when well placed but it didn’t matter with the full-time whistle sounding soon after as the history-making Lionesses achieved another landmark victory at the national stadium.

England now move onto Brighton’s American Express Community Stadium to face Czech Republic on Tuesday.

England (4-2-3-1): 1 Mary Earps (GK), 2 Lucy Bronze, 3 Rachel Daly, 4 Keira Walsh, 5 Millie Bright (c), 6 Alex Greenwood, 7 Beth Mead, 8 Georgia Stanway, 9 Lauren Hemp, 10 Fran Kirby, 11 Chloe Kelly.

Substitutes: 18 Ella Toone for Kirby 67’, 22 Lauren James for Kelly 91’

Substitutes not used: 12 Esme Morgan, 13 Ellie Roebuck (GK), 14 Katie Zelem, 15 Lotte Wubben-Moy, 16 Jessica Carter, 17 Nikita Parris, 19 Jess Park, 20 Demi Stokes, 21 Sandy MacIver (GK), 23 Ebony Salmon.

Coach: Sarina Wiegman

Goals: Hemp 10’, Stanway (pen) 33’

Cautions: Bright 43’

USA (4-3-3): 1 Alyssa Naeher (GK), 3 Alana Cook, 6 Trinity Rodman, 8 Sofia Huerta, 10 Lindsey Horan, 11 Sophia Smith, 12 Naomi Girma, 15 Megan Rapinoe, 16 Rose Lavelle, 17 Andi Sullivan, 23 Emily Fox.

Substitutes: 5 Hailie Mace for Fox 21’, 14 Sam Coffey for Sullivan 62’, 19 Crystal Dunn for Huerta 62’, 2 Ashley Sanchez for Rodman 83’, 13 Alyssa Thompson for Rapinoe 83’, 4 Becky Sauerbrunn for Girma 83’

Substitutes not used: 7 Ashley Hatch, 18 Casey Murphy (GK), 20 Jaelin Howell, 21 Aubrey Kingsbury (GK), 22 Kristie Mewis, 25 Savannah Demelo.

Coach: Vlatko Andonovski

Goals: Smith 27’

Cautions: Mace 32’, Rodman 48’