Unbeaten in 30 games with 25 wins and five draws, the Lionesses have been in imperious form since Sarina Wiegman became England head coach in September 2021.
The victory over Brazil in the Women’s Finalissima, adding a second piece of silverware in less than a year following their Euro triumph, demonstrated the side’s incredible strength while also highlighting potential weak spots ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
There’s no doubt the Lionesses are a force of nature with adaptability and flexibility key components to their success as they dealt well with Brazil’s unexpected back five starting formation at Wembley.
Unfazed, Wiegman’s side dominated the opening 45 minutes with a whopping 81% possession as England effortlessly swarmed around Brazil’s penalty area.
The combination of Lucy Bronze and Lauren James on the right-wing worked particularly well, resulting in Ella Toone’s 23rd minute opener via a simple tap-in.
If there was one complaint about England’s first-half, it was that they did not put the ball in the back of the net more than once.
With Brazil reverting to a back four at the interval, the Lionesses were made to pay for not taking their chances as they struggled in the second period against a refreshed and high-pressing Selecao side.
An injury-time equaliser from Brazilian substitute Andressa Alves saw the game go straight to a penalty shootout – another new experience which the Lionesses adapted well to, having not had to endure any spot-kick drama during Euro 2022.
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The other England pre-requisite, flexibility, may not be obvious but is constantly on show with Wiegman ensuring the majority of her squad are able to play in at least two different positions.
Captain Leah Williamson is one example, normally deployed as a centre-back but able to shift into central midfield while Rachel Daly, who played at left-back during the Euros is now preferred as a forward following her impressive WSL goalscoring exploits.
There’s other in-game examples as well – Lauren James, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly fluidly moving across the frontline, Jess Carter able to operate across the entire backline while Jess Park is not only an attacking midfielder but also either a right or left winger.
Manchester City’s Park, 21, is one of many emerging young talents in the squad, alongside Chelsea’s James (also 21) and 20-year-old Brighton winger Katie Robinson.
These youngsters are more than filling the void for the likes of Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, both vital to England’s Euro success but currently missing through injury and, in Mead’s case anyway, unlikely to make Wiegman’s World Cup squad.
There’s plenty of time and games to come before their World Cup curtain-raiser against Haiti in July, starting with the friendly against World Cup co-hosts Australia at Brentford on Tuesday evening.
Ultimately there’s room for improvement but England enter the final few months ahead of the tournament in rude health and, should they iron out the minor kinks, will continue to be a force to reckon with this summer.