England vs Ghana live: Russo converts penalty in stoppage time as Lionesses earn victory
England 2-0 Ghana: Sarina Wiegman’s side have ended the year with back-to-back victories on home soil after Saturday’s 8-0 romping of China
England have ended the year on a high after overcoming Ghana in their final friendly of 2025.
Sarina Wiegman made seven changes from the side that romped to an 8-0 victory over China at Wembley and quickly saw one of those switches pay off as Lucia Kendall fired home inside five minutes to break the deadlock.
The Lionesses were then frustrated by their visitors in the search for a second goal, with the first-half injury to Chloe Kelly not helping their cause.
But just as the game was approaching its climax, a handball on the line from a Ghana defender gave England the perfect opportunity to put the contest to bed in stoppage time - a chance gobbled up by Alessia Russo who converted from the spot.
Off the pitch, ITV presenter Laura Woods collapsed live on air after being ‘taken ill’ with Katie Shanahan replacing her alongside pundits Ian Wright and Anita Asante for the game, though her fiance Adam Collard has since confirmed that she is “ok and with the right people”.
Follow all the action live from St Mary’s here:
England end glorious 2025 with victory over Ghana in Southampton
England rounded off a memorable year by beating a stubborn Ghana side 2-0 at St Mary’s in the final match of their homecoming series.
Sarina Wiegman’s European champions made it three wins from four on their celebratory tour around the country that has helped mark their triumph at Euro 2025 in the summer, as Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall scored her first international goal in the first half.
England end glorious 2025 with victory over Ghana in Southampton
Ian Wright on Lucia Kendall's impact
“If we are going to be honest, from the two games Kendall has been the bright spark,” he told ITV.
“And when she played in her debut, she was just so natural in the role.
“She has got it. She seems to have it as a midfielder.”
More from Kendall:
"It was special to get that here today but hopefully many more. I get in them positions, I just need to score more.
"That pathway (through the youth system at England) has really helped me transition so easily, but also the players here. They are easy to play with and they are a really special group.
"You have got some incredible players in this midfield and it is easy to play alongside them. I try and pick up bits from them. It makes it so much easier for me."
Post match reaction from Lucia Kendall
Lucia Kendall scored the opening goal of the game and her first for England.
She told ITV: "Really special moment for me to be able to do it here, where I grew up, this place made me into the player I was. It felt like it was written today. It was really nice.
"It was so special. I got overwhelmed with emotion really. It was really special.
"The academy here instilled that in me from a young age and my family have kept me grounded. It has been instilled in me from young.
"I pick up little bits from here and back at club and it's just how can I be consistent? I watch players like Keira (Walsh) and I want to be like that as well."
England's 2025 record
This makes for decent reading for Lionesses fans:
12 wins, one draw and four losses in 2025 for England in 2025.
That includes a triumph in the Euros as well. What a year.
England a bit wasteful
England had an expected goals mark of 5.20 in this match as Sarina Wiegman's side created a lot of chances.
24 shots, 10 on target in fact.
There could, and should, have been more goals scored.
Full-time! England 2-0 Ghana
England end their final game of the year with a fine 2-0 victory over Ghana at St Mary's.
The scoreline does not reflect the dominance England brought to the match and Sarina Wiegman’s side never looked in danger of suffering anything other than win once the opening goal went in.
Lucia Kendall, the only female footballer to play for England having risen through the Southampton ranks, netted the decisive goal in just the fifth minute.
Chloe Kelly, one of seven changes made by Wiegman, whipped a cross into the box from the left and a failed clearance dropped into the path Kendall who smoked it home with determination.
England the suffered a blow as Kelly was subbed off through injury but the dominated throughout hitting the woodwork multiple times.
Alessia Russo came off the bench in the second half and converted a penalty with minutes to go end the year on a high and the crowd applauded the success of the Lionesses.
GOAL! England 2-0 Ghana (Alessia Russo, 90+6)
Russo places the ball on the spot and curls a side footed effort into the right side.
The goalkeeper is beaten and England confirm their victory!
England 1-0 Ghana
90+3 mins: Penalty to England!
An unintentional handball in the penalty area was flagged by VAR and the referee is called to the pitchside monitor.
She watches the replay then points to the spot.
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