England Bounce Back From Brazil Defeat With Commanding Win Over Australia

The Lionesses delivered a dominant display in Derby, easing past Australia 3-0 to close out their October homecoming series in style.

England returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Australia at Pride Park, Derby. Goals from Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze, and Georgia Stanway sealed a convincing result for Sarina Wiegman’s side, who responded superbly after their 2-1 defeat to Brazil earlier in the week.

An early red card for Alanna Kennedy left the Matildas on the back foot, and England made full use of their advantage to round off the month in emphatic fashion. For Australia, it was a frustrating evening following their first win outside home soil since October 2024, as the reigning European champions proved too strong from start to finish.

Two first-half goals and a late penalty wrapped up the victory — here are five key takeaways from the match.

1. Lionesses Show Intent From the Start

England silenced any lingering doubts over their recent slow starts with a performance brimming with intensity, urgency, and control.

From the opening minutes, the hosts pressed high and forced Australia into errors. Lucy Bronze’s early cross narrowly eluded Beever-Jones, setting the tone for a wave of attacking pressure. In the 13th minute, Beever-Jones thought she had broken the deadlock, only for her effort to be ruled out for offside. Moments later, Keira Walsh tested the goalkeeper from distance after clever play by debutant Lucia Kendall.

Ella Toone twice went close before Alanna Kennedy’s red card in the 18th minute for denying Alessia Russo a clear goalscoring opportunity. This time, unlike against Brazil, England capitalised fully on their numerical advantage — dominating possession and creating chance after chance.

Although Australia tightened up defensively after the break, England maintained their tempo and sealed victory late on. Katrina Gorry’s foul on Missy Bo Kearns inside the box allowed Georgia Stanway to step up and convert from the spot, preserving her perfect penalty record for England — 12 from 12.

The Lionesses registered 29 shots in total, a statistic that summed up their superiority. A 3-0 scoreline was arguably the least they deserved on a sold-out night in Derby.

2. Chelsea Stars Shine Under the Lights

Aggie Beever-Jones once again showcased her growing stature on the international stage.

In the 20th minute, the Chelsea forward — England’s top scorer this season — opened the scoring with a stunning strike into the top corner after her initial free-kick was blocked. It was a fine finish on just her third senior start.

Her contribution extended beyond goals, combining attacking flair with relentless defensive work. A robust tackle on Kyra Cooney-Cross in the 38th minute typified her commitment.

Meanwhile, Lucy Bronze celebrated her 34th birthday in style, doubling England’s lead just before half-time. A flowing move involving Keira Walsh and Ella Toone ended with Bronze sweeping home with trademark composure. Her leadership, consistency, and professionalism continue to define this England generation — a sentiment perfectly summed up by Beth Mead’s post-match words: “Bronze deserves everything she’s getting.”

3. Debutants Hinds and Kendall Impress

Sarina Wiegman continued her experimentation by handing senior debuts to Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds and Aston Villa’s Lucia Kendall — and both impressed.

Hinds displayed assurance in possession and linked neatly with Toone down the left, while maintaining discipline to thwart Ellie Carpenter’s forward runs.

Kendall, meanwhile, looked every bit the midfield prospect England fans have been waiting for. Finding clever pockets of space and linking play intelligently, she was unlucky not to score. A glancing header hit the crossbar before another attempt was blocked. Earlier, in the seventh minute, she fired narrowly over after a sweeping team move.

Having already impressed since leaving childhood club Southampton Town for Aston Villa, Kendall’s first England appearance underlined her immense potential.

4. Wiegman Shows Tactical Versatility

Before kick-off, many were curious to see what changes Wiegman would make — and she didn’t disappoint.

Manchester United’s Maya Le Tissier was finally deployed in her preferred centre-back position, and she flourished. Alongside Esme Morgan, she brought calmness and authority, with the pair’s distribution from deep helping England dictate the game’s rhythm and snuff out Australia’s limited threats.

Further forward, Wiegman paired Alessia Russo and Beever-Jones up front for the first time. The combination clicked immediately — Russo’s movement won the free-kick that led to the opener, while her early cross nearly found Beever-Jones at the back post.

Perhaps most strikingly, Wiegman made four substitutions at once midway through the second half — a rare show of flexibility from the usually pragmatic coach. It underlined her intent to evolve this team ahead of their next major target: the 2027 World Cup.

5. Late Injury Concerns for Beever-Jones and Agyemang

Just when England’s evening seemed flawless, there were two late injury concerns.

Michelle Agyemang went down clutching her knee after an awkward landing, prompting a lengthy stoppage before she was stretchered off — a worrying sight for both fans and teammates. A key performer during Euro 2025, her setback comes as a significant blow.

Shortly after, Beever-Jones was forced off with a dead leg, leaving England to finish the match with ten players after all six substitutions had been used.

With WSL fixtures resuming this weekend, both Chelsea and Brighton will hope their stars recover swiftly. However, early signs suggest Agyemang’s injury could require a longer recovery period.

England’s 3-0 triumph not only restored momentum but also showcased the depth, adaptability, and hunger within Wiegman’s side. As preparations continue for next summer’s fixtures and the road to the 2027 World Cup, this performance will serve as a timely reminder that the Lionesses remain one of the world’s most formidable forces.