The Black Queens of Ghana produced a spirited performance in their historic first-ever meeting with England, but ultimately fell 2–0 in an international friendly at St. Mary’s Stadium, Southampton.

Key Moments


  • 5th minute – Lucia Kendall (England): Capitalised on a defensive lapse to tap home the opener, giving the Lionesses an early lead.

  • First half heroics – Cynthia Konlan (Ghana): The goalkeeper pulled off several crucial saves, including a fine stop from Kendall in the 26th minute, keeping Ghana in the contest.

  • Second half resilience: England struck the woodwork twice in the 56th minute, while Konlan denied Alessia Russo in the 75th minute with another outstanding parry.

  • 96th minute – Alessia Russo (England): VAR awarded a penalty after Portia Boakye handled in the box. Russo converted calmly to seal the result.

Cynthia Konlan (Ghana)

The Black Queens’ goalkeeper was immense, making multiple saves and keeping her side competitive against the European champions.

Tactical Notes


  • Debut for Benedicte Simon: Coach Kim Lars Björkegren handed the new defender her first start, signalling his intent to test fresh options.

  • Counter-attacking threat: Ghana grew into the game after halftime, with Princess Marfo and later Princella Adubea offering pace and energy on the break.

  • Squad assessment: Björkegren used the fixture to evaluate depth ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, prioritising cohesion and experimentation over the scoreline.
Bigger Picture

For England, the win reinforced their dominance in possession and attacking fluidity. For Ghana, the match was less about defeat and more about proving resilience, testing new combinations, and showcasing their ability to compete against elite opposition.

This friendly may go down as a confidence-building exercise for the Black Queens, who showed bravery, organisation, and flashes of attacking promise despite the result.