Naomi Girma world-class, but Emma Hayes' depleted attack lacks bite: Winners and losers as USWNT, England fail to live up to the Wembley hype

Girma and Mary Earps were stand-out performers at Wembley, as Hayes' U.S. team came to town and put their hosts to the test

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  LOSER: The hype

  Perhaps it was always going to be difficult for this game to live up to the hype. Emma Hayes, back in England for the first time since taking the USWNT job, at a stadium where she enjoyed so many successes with Chelsea, and facing the nation of her birth? There was so much excitement about her return, particularly after the U.S. won Olympic gold this summer.

  The first hit to the hype came when the squads came out. The USWNT were to be without Smith, Rodman and Swanson, their Triple Espresso attack which fired them to that Olympic title, while England star Hemp underwent knee surgery just last week. Her absence was added to several that were already known, such as James and Toone.

  That lack of star attacking power was evident throughout the evening. Instead of plenty of wonderful play in the final third that got the fans off their seats, it was the likes of Mary Earps and Naomi Girma who showcased the best of their abilities in defense. It was an interesting game for several reasons, with England improving at the back after that reckless game against Germany last month, while Hayes got a look at some new faces, but it was not the blockbuster many expected when it was first announced.

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  WINNER: Mary Earps

  "I think it's been a tough year," was Earps' honest assessment of 2024 when speaking to ITV after this match. She was part of the Manchester United side that underwhelmed in the Women's Super League in the first half of the year, had to endure the noise of a transfer saga in the summer and started life at Paris Saint-Germain with some bumps in the road, including an exit in the qualifying stage of the Women's Champions League.

  On Saturday, though, she reminded a packed Wembley of her remarkable quality. With England under the cosh at times in the first half, she stepped up on numerous occasions to make some big saves and keep the Lionesses in the game, eventually holding a clean sheet that gave them a creditable draw against the Olympic champions.

  Also in Earps' tough year has been some lost ground in the battle to be England No.1, ahead of next summer's European Championships. However, she appeared to extend her lead over Hannah Hampton in that race in the last window, and has only added to that with this performance.

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  LOSER: USWNT attack

  There was no Triple Espresso and the game really felt very flat, as a result. It was a game that could have really used that dose of caffeine, huh?

  Without Swanson, Rodman and Smith, Hayes turned to Alyssa Thompson, Emma Sears and Lynn Williams. None really furthered their case. Thompson had a few moments, but couldn't beat England star Lucy Bronze often enough. Sears seemed a bit overawed by the almost 80,000 at Wembley, which is fair given her inexperience. Williams, finally, just didn't quite create danger, which, as the veteran in the group, she was put out there to do.

  It just further proved that Triple Espresso is irreplaceable. The trio on the field on Saturday were never going to do what Smith, Rodman and Swanson could do, but they never really got close enough to make England uncomfortable. It's unfortunate, too, because it felt like the game was there for the taking, if one or two attacking sequences really went a different way.

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  WINNER: Leah Williamson

  When England faced Germany at Wembley last month, they were all over the shop at the back - and Williamson was part of that. The Arsenal star struggled immensely in a performance that encapsulated some tough recent form, and raised questions over whether Alex Greenwood should've taken her place in the starting line-up instead.

  But, as Williamson returned to the home of football on Saturday, she looked so much like her old self. Since the Germany game, she's improved at club level and she brought that confidence to the table on this occasion, too. Her passing was good, she popped up with several key interventions in her box and was part of a much stronger Lionesses back line. The entire performance of the defense was down to several key performers, but there's no doubt it's much improved when Williamson is, too.

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  LOSER: England bench

  England went in at the break without having a shot on target, or creating any real chance of note, while the USWNT has instead forced Earps into several decent saves. Some might've expected Wiegman to make a half-time sub, as. result. But Hayes made three before Wiegman had made one, meaning it took until the 75th minute for any real energy to be injected into a rather flat Lionesses attack.

  It's not like Wiegman lacked options. Fran Kirby has been in fine form for Brighton, Chloe Kelly has delivered plenty of times for her country, Grace Clinton is one of England's brightest young talents and Aggie Beever-Jones' impact on Chelsea's world-class squad speaks wonders of her ability. Yet, they had to sit and wait patiently and, in the case of the latter two, watch the entire game from the bench.

  When Wiegman did make changes, they helped, too. Kirby played a fantastic pass out wide within seconds of stepping onto the pitch and she had another bright moment shortly afterwards, as England started to put more pressure on their opponent. Had she and others been given more time to have an impact, they might've changed the game even more.

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  WINNER: Naomi Girma

  What else is there to say at this point? Girma continues to prove that she's up there with the world's best, and you can add Saturday's clean sheet to her growing resume.

  Facing off with a tough England team, Girma, as always, made it look relatively easy. There weren't any real standout moments, which isn't an insult but rather a statement that highlights her steadiness as a defender. There weren't any real highlight-reel tackles, but that's because Girma was never caught out in any way, shape, or form.

  At times, it's easy to overlook just how much of an impact Girma is making, largely because it looks so effortless. Particularly in games like this, though, it isn't effortless; it's very, very hard.

  Girma's reputation is growing, and games like this will only further it. She belongs in that conversation with the very best defenders in the world and, still just 24, she'll be in it for a long time.