Pre-match fireworks were lit up and fireworks erupted. EnglandThe USA’s pitch was foreshadowed against by lightning talent.
It was a fitting celebration atmosphere as European champions sought to make a statement against the champions from the World in front a Wembley audience of 76.893. England did just that, defeating the icons of women’s football for the first time in five and a half years and the first time on home soil since 2011.
However, Juxtaposed had a carnivalesque vibe and contained an important message. Before kick-off, every player, wearing teal blue armbands, stood behind a banner which read “PROTECT THE PLAYERS” while the Wembley arch also shone in the same colour.
It was a show of solidarity from the two squads after the report published on Monday — commissioned by U.S. Soccer and led by former deputy attorney general Sally Q. Yates — that found allegations of abusive behaviour and sexual misconduct in America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
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There is a tension between the joy of playing on the pitch and the “horrible situations”, in Sarina Wiegman’s words, that many players experience off it. Both exist side by side, a reflection of the state of the women’s game.
“We celebrated lots of things but also when this happens, you can’t let it go,” said Wiegman after the match
“The timing is now. We used this momentum as a way to spread the word about this unacceptable. Although we all support it and are supportive, then we can have a very intense game. There could be a lot of respect.
