England 0-0 USA: Emma Hayes’ return to London ends in uninspiring goalless draw

England and the United States of America played out a goalless draw at Wembley, denying Emma Hayes a dream return back in London.

Hayes, 48, became USA manager in the summer following 12 years as Chelsea’s coach. She guided the nation to Olympic gold immediately, but the attacking quality they showed in France was not on show at Wembley.

In her 14th match in charge of The Stars and Stripes, it is just the second time Hayes has not tasted victory. The closest they came was via a disallowed Lindsey Horan goal and a penalty chalked off in the second half. 

Meanwhile, after struggling recently, especially during their 4-3 defeat to Germany, England needed a defensively secure performance like this. Barring USA’s two major moments which were chalked off, The Lionesses rarely looked fazed. 

At every occasion, Mary Earps stepped up to the plate, producing a stunning save early on to deny Alyssa Thompson, and doing the same against Caset Krueger. She has staked her claim for the starting spot ahead of next summer’s Euros in Switzerland. 

Sarina Wiegman opted for an unsurprisingly strong team. Alex Greenwood partnered Leah Williamson at the back, whilst she also handed Jessica Naz and Jess Park starts. 

It was a similar story for USA. Hayes chose an experienced team, but this featured an inexperienced, yet exciting, attacking partnership of Emma Sears and Thompson.

One of the biggest talking points in the England camp since the summer has been in the goalkeeping department. Wiegman put her faith in Earps this evening, after previously playing Hannah Hampton against Germany, and Paris Saint-Germain’s ‘keeper was forced into a fine save early on, palming Thompson’s powerful effort around the post.

Thompson’s early effort was a warning to the Lionesses. Full of attacking talent, Hayes has made them the best team in the world according to FIFA’s rankings, with the opening half seeing them physically dominate the hosts.

USA’s double pivot of Rose Lavelle and Sam Coffey let them dictate the tempo of the match. They tested Earps again in the 32nd minute as the 31-year-old denied Casey Krueger’s low-ranged driven shot. 

England resorted to counter-attacking in the first period, yet it felt slow and lethargic. Park would regularly receive the ball in the middle of the park but rarely push forward quickly and place USA under pressure. They had just 41% possession and one shot in the first half — it wasn’t on target either.

USA thought they had taken the lead at the start of the second half. Substitute Yazmeen Ryan’s delicate touch set up Lavelle and her off-target shot was deflected in by Horan, but the 30-year-old was comfortably in an offside position. The Lyon star squandered another chance moments later, firing a low-driven shot wide of goal. 

Those two chances, combined with Williamson awkwardly clearing the ball away from the face of goal, summed up USA’s start to the period. They dominated, pressing high and penning England in their own half. 

Once again, USA thought they had a lifeline in the second half, winning a penalty with 25 minutes remaining after the referee believed Ryan’s shot from within the box hit Greenwood’s arm. However, VAR came to England’s rescue as replays showed the ball instead hit the side of the defender’s stomach. 

The visitors didn’t have it their own way, though. Backed by over 75,000 fans, England had spells of pressure in USA’s half. Russo had a shot blocked from six yards out, whilst – in the closing minutes – substitute Chloe Kelly was a bright spark for the hosts. 

Neither side was able to find a winner, though, as England finished 2024 with their second 0-0 of the year. Up next, The Lionesses host Switzerland on Tuesday at Bramall Lane, whilst USA travel to the Netherlands. 

• Player of the Match – Sam Coffey

USA didn’t set the world alight in the final third. That’ll be a major disappointment for Hayes, but she will be delighted with their composure in the middle of the park, especially from Coffey.

The 25-year-old Portland Thorns midfielder shone in a double pivot alongside Lavelle, dictating the tempo of the match and letting USA have more possession.