England struggles continue as Germany score late winner in front of record crowd

Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images

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LONDON -- England's poor form since the 2019 Women's World Cup continued as the Lionesses conceded late on to lose 2-1 against Germany at Wembley on Saturday.

In front of a record crowd of 77,776 for a Lionesses game, Germay striker Klara Buhl scored the stoppage time winner in the friendly fixture, picking up the ball in front of two England defenders on the left-hand side of the 18-yard box before placing her shot in the far right bottom corner.

The visitors started the better of the two sides with striker Alexandra Popp opening the scoring with a header on eight minutes.

A floated cross from the right hand side of the 18-yard box delivered by full-back Kathrin Hendrich was put away by Popp.

The visitors went on to register nine shots, five of which were on target, before England managed  their first attempt on goal.

England winger Nikita Parris missed a penalty to equalise on 35 minutes that came as a result of striker Ellen White being brought down by Germany keeper Merele Frohms on the six-yard box.

White put England level soon after, slotting home with a first-time finish beneath Frohms following a well-placed Keira Walsh through ball in behind the Germany back line.

This, the first fixture at Wembley since the 2019 Women's World Cup, almost doubled the previous record attendance of 45,619 for a Lionesses fixture, set when these sides met in 2014.

"Seventy-seven thousand is not the norm, but I think in women's football now it is becoming more normal to play in front of 20,000 plus [crowds]," said full-back Lucy Bronze after the match. "Today's atmosphere was incredible. When we scored that goal you really felt the crowd behind us."

England, who have registered just one win in their last five matches since the Women's World Cup last summer, will travel to face Czech Republic on Tuesday for their final game of the calendar year.