Ghana’s Black Queens suffered a 2-0 loss to England in an international friendly at St Mary’s Stadium on Tuesday, but produced a spirited display against the Lionesses in their final match of 2025.
Southampton academy graduate Lucia Kendall scored inside six minutes when she reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and fired home from close range.
The Lionesses, who had thrashed China 8-0 three days earlier, controlled most of the possession and created several chances, hitting the woodwork four times through Kendall, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze and Alessia Russo.
But Ghana, ranked 67th in the world, stayed compact and limited the damage in the first half despite facing relentless pressure from their hosts.
Goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan was outstanding, making important saves including stopping Missy Bo Kearns from close range as England pushed for a second goal.
The Black Queens improved as the match wore on, growing bolder in midfield exchanges and threatening on the counter-attack. A few half-chances were created but they could not find a breakthrough in the final third.
England sealed the win in stoppage time when substitute Russo won a penalty for handball and converted it to make it 2-0.
Despite the defeat, head coach Kim Björkegren praised his side’s resilient display and emphasised perspective and progress.
“As a coach, you always want to win,” he said. “But we are 67th in the world and faced a team that may be the best in the world right now. We can be proud of our performance, and we feel we are moving in the right direction.”
England suffered an injury blow before the 30-minute mark when Chloe Kelly was forced off, but the Lionesses continued to dominate.
The 21-year-old Kendall was making just her second start for England, whilst Ghana had a few opportunities to test goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse, who was starting just her second game in the absence of injured duo Hannah Hampton and Khiara Keating.
This was England’s final of four successive friendly matches as manager Sarina Wiegman’s side ended a successful year. They will turn their attention to their 2027 World Cup qualification campaign next year.
The Black Queens will now focus on preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.
