How Sarina Wiegman's England Lionesses could line-up for Finalissima showdown with Brazil
As World Cup hopes are ever present for her players, England boss Sarina Wiegman considers further squad experimentation against top international talent
On Thursday European champions England will take on the conquerors of South America, Brazil, in the first-ever women's Finalissima at Wembley.
The match will be followed just days later by welcoming World Cup hosts Australia at the Brentford Community Stadium with the match taking place in aid of the FA's charity partner The Alzheimer's Society.
These two fixtures are the final tests for Sarina Wiegman’s side ahead of the World Cup in the summer, which will require another 25-player roster.
The majority of this squad is the same from the Arnold Clark Cup triumph in February, except for goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, defender Esme Morgan and the uncapped Lucy Parker who all enter the international camp.
READ MORE: UEFA Women's Euro 2025 hosts confirmed as Lionesses look to retain titleREAD MORE: Beth Mead takes fitness step as Arsenal star refuses to give up on Women's World CupGoalkeeper Emily Ramsey, Katie Zelem and Ebony Salmon are all left out of the squad as Wiegman looks to assess her options before going Down Under for the World Cup.
Lotte Wubben-Moy was originally left out of the squad selection, however she now occupies the place of injured defender Millie Bright.
Opponents Brazil finished a disappointing third in their SheBelieves Cup group stage, with the United States and Japan ahead and Canada below in fourth place, despite the exquisite talent in the Brazilian ranks.
Manager Pia Sundhage opted for either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation against the top opposition (USA are ranked No.1 in the world, Canada four and Japan 11, with Brazil sitting in ninth) with familiar faces in Rafaelle Souza from Arsenal ’s back line, and attacking legend Marta who needs no introduction.
Brazil's style of play is typically fast and full of flair, while the English game offers a stoic solidity at the back, relentlessness all over the field and persistance in the attack.
Weigman seems to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation for the European Champions, which will prevent Brazil from playing through the middle whilst also overloading on the attack. Despite having so much pace, hunger and depth in her squad, here's a potential line-up for the Lionesses in the Finalissima and World Cup squad tester:
(4-2-3-1) Earps; Bronze, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh; James, Toone, Hemp; Russo
With the World Cup on the horizon however, and more experimental line-up could be the way to go.
That could look like this:
(4-2-3-1) Earps; Bronze, Parker, Greenwood, Morgan; Williamson, Walsh; James, Park, Robinson; Daly
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