Contested between the winners of the most recent European and South American Championships, the Finalissima kicked off the current international break with a bang as an engrossing encounter in north-west London went the distance.

James lined up in a familiar wide-right role and was particularly dangerous in the first half. She scored a very good goal which was rightly disallowed for offside, and then played her part in the opener.

James worked the ball to Lucy Bronze, who in turn exchanged passes with Georgia Stanway before picking out Ella Toone to thump England in front midway through the first 45 minutes.

England deserved their half-time lead, but Brazil began to assert their authority after the interval, and there was plenty of defending for Carter, deployed at left-back, to do. James was replaced with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

It looked like the Lionesses would hold on to win 1-0, but Mary Earps spilled a low cross in stoppage time allowing Andressa Alves to smash home an equaliser and take the showpiece to spot-kicks.

Both teams had a penalty saved apiece, Earps leaping to her left to deny Tamires after Toone’s effort was kept out, and then Rafaelle Souza hit the bar for Brazil giving Chloe Kelly the chance to win the trophy for England. It was one she did not pass up.

Sarina Wiegman’s side are now 30 games unbeaten. They next play Australia and Sam Kerr at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday evening, with Niamh Charles, who was an unused sub at Wembley, hoping to be involved.

Ingle excels as Wales thrash Northern Ireland

In a friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium, Sophie Ingle was involved in the first two goals as Wales beat Northern Ireland 4-1.

Captain as usual, Ingle played the full 90 minutes in central midfield. It was her ball forward that found Rachel Rowe to cross to Jess Fishlock to open the scoring on the quarter-hour.

Another pinpoint Ingle pass freed Fishlock who set up Angharad James to double the Welsh advantage on 26 minutes, and another goal soon after effectively ended the game as a contest, with the sides trading goals in the second half.

Wales are next in action away to Portugal on Tuesday.

Norwegian pair beaten in the Balearics

Guro Reiten and Maren Mjelde started for Norway as they lost to Spain 4-2 in a friendly in Ibiza.

Mjelde completed the game at centre-back while Reiten was withdrawn with 77 minutes on the clock, with Norway 4-1 down at that point.

Lyon’s Ada Hederberg had cancelled out Jennifer Hermoso’s opene midway through the first half, but Hermoso soon restored the Spanish lead and two goals shortly after half-time secured an impressive victory, with Norway’s second scored very late on and serving merely as scant consolation. They will hope to bounce back against neighbours Sweden on Tuesday.