England earn a goalless draw with Emma Hayes’ USA in a friendly at Wembley

Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes’ teams are deadlocked after a hotly publicized battle of the coaches ended in a goalless draw between England and the United States in a friendly at Wembley.

It was the first time the two FIFA Women’s Coaches of the Year had gone head-to-head on the touchline and more than two years had passed since the world’s two leading women’s teams met at the London Stadium.

The European champions, led by Wigman, failed to hit the target in the first half, and the guests scored a goal due to offside at the beginning of the second half.

Hayes’ Olympic gold medalists saw a penalty overturned after a VAR review and – although England looked brighter in the second half – Wiegman’s side were never able to find a way past the resolute US defence.

Wiegman selected Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Mary Earps to start, while Chelsea captain Millie Bright was left on the bench for the second match in a row against England.

Bright’s former Blues coach Hayes fielded a USA squad that included seven players who featured when the Americans last played at Wembley on October 7, 2022.

US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose only season in charge of Chelsea coincided with Hayes’ 12-year stay at Stamford Bridge, was also present at the match and was seen catching up with Wiegman and Hayes before kick-off.

Jessica Naz hoped to get England off to an early start with a cross claimed by Alyssa Naeher, who will retire from international football following the Americans’ trip to Europe.

Alyssa Thompson scored a try, forcing Earps to scramble, but the game was soon settled with England still looking for a breakthrough when Jess Park’s shot went wide.

Alex Greenwood failed to link up with Lucy Bronze at the back post from a free-kick, while Emily Fox beat her Arsenal team-mate Beth Mead to a good ball from Bronze after a promising run down the right flank.

The world-ranked side continued to enjoy superior possession over the hosts while clear-cut chances remained elusive.

Hayes’ side edged closer to opening the scoring when Casey Kruger tested Earps with a low try through the crowd just after the half-hour mark, and the deadlock remained intact after the England goalkeeper squashed an attempt to unbalance Sam Coffey late in the period.

Shortly after the match restarted, USA captain Lindsey Horan put the ball into the net, but the offside flag was raised.

The Americans continued to threaten, first from substitute Yazmin Ryan’s cross, picked out by Earps, and then another try from striker Horan.

England finally sent the ball deep into the visitors’ half, where Park’s shot was deflected and Leah Williamson could only head home Naeher from the resulting corner.

As the hour approached, the tempo picked up and a more determined England side began to emerge, but they continued to be frustrated by the Americans’ defence.

Ryan had only to beat Greenwood when she struck the Manchester City defender in the chest, but referee Lina Lehtovaara initially awarded the visitors a penalty.

With VAR in place, the Finnish official was called before the observer and subsequently overturned her decision.

Hayes called on more changes, with Wiegman’s first subs coming in the form of Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly for Park and Naz in the 75th minute.

Mead, flanked by a trio of blueshirts, forced Naeher to dive although her effort looked certain to be on target and the sides soon had just 10 minutes left to break the deadlock.

Jess Carter did well to track down Ryan, who patiently controlled the ball in the 18-yard box, but was denied by a diving Earps and neither side could turn things around in four minutes of stoppage time.