By Kwame Bediako
England’s Lionesses secured a 2-0 victory over Ghana’s Black Queens in an international friendly played at the St Mary’s Stadium, but the scoreline only tells part of the story in a match marked by fierce competition and tactical discipline.
Despite England’s dominance in possession, the Black Queens delivered a resilient and well-organized performance that challenged the hosts throughout.
The breakthrough came early for England when Lucia Kendall found the net in the sixth minute, setting the pace for the home side.
England controlled much of the game with their attacking play, but Ghana’s defense remained resolute, frustrating numerous attempts on goal.
Ghana’s goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan stood out with several key saves, earning player-of-the-match honors for her impressive display.
After halftime, Ghana noticeably grew in confidence, tightening their defense and working hard to disrupt England’s rhythm.
The Black Queens looked dangerous on the counterattack, especially through Princess Marfo, who replaced Alice Kusi, and later via substitutes such as Princella Adubea.
Their disciplined approach kept the game competitive deep into the second half.
England ultimately clinched the victory late in stoppage time when they earned a penalty, calmly converted by Alessia Russo in the 96th minute to put the result beyond doubt.
This late goal capped off a fiercely contested encounter that highlighted the improvements in both teams’ tactical setups.
For Ghana, this friendly was not just about the score but an important opportunity to experiment with new combinations and strengthen cohesion ahead of vital upcoming competitions, including qualification matches and regional tournaments.
Their spirited performance against a strong England side provides promising signs for the Black Queens moving forward.
