Jess Naz and Emily Fox in England v USAGetty Images

The USA won Olympic gold in Paris this summer

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport women's football news reporter at Wembley Stadium

England were held to a goalless draw by Olympic champions the United States as Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes went head-to-head at Wembley Stadium.

It was a much-improved performance from Wiegman's Lionesses as they continue their preparations for Euro 2025 next summer, when they will attempt to defend their title.

Former Chelsea boss Hayes was returning to London for the first time as USA head coach and was matched tactically by Wiegman in a game of few clear-cut chances.

The USA had the best of them, though, and had a goal ruled out in the first half as captain Lindsey Horan was offside when she poked in Rose Lavelle's cross.

The visitors later had a penalty rightly overturned after referee Lina Lehtovaara was sent to the pitchside monitor and saw Alex Greenwood had blocked a shot with her chest and not her hand as initially thought.

England, who did test the USA more in the second half, defended well as Greenwood once again started alongside captain Leah Williamson at centre-back, with regular starter Millie Bright on the bench.

All in all, this was an encouraging result and performance by the Lionesses, who received criticism for their unconvincing displays in October against Germany and South Africa.

"It was never going to be the same game that England played against Germany. I’m pleased with the performance and the football we’re playing," said the USA's Hayes.

"I'm disappointed we didn't win as I felt we were the better team. I thought England’s full-backs defended really well. We lacked a little bit of the killer piece.

"Our mentality is that we have to be better than that - and that is what we will be demanding from the team."

Wiegman makes subtle tweaks as USA kept at bay

The magnitude of this fixture was felt during the week as Hayes made her return to England as the USA head coach in some style, holding a media conference at a pub in Camden, pulling pints behind the bar as she mingled with close friends and family in front of the cameras.

Wiegman said she wanted to win even more because of her friendship with Hayes, and the opportunity to do so in front of 78,346 at Wembley Stadium intensified her competitiveness.

But with big stars absent - the USA were without the 'Triple Espresso' front three of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith, while England missed Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone - there was always a feeling it would be a meticulous tactical battle as opposed to an outright spectacle.

That was what fans got as both teams were well-drilled and cancelled each other out in an intriguing 90 minutes.

Wiegman vowed to experiment and "try new things out" and while there were just a few tweaks to the starting XI, this was a much better performance than their displays against Germany and South Africa.

"It was a very intense game. Our defence was solid. We really defended as a team," said Wiegman.

"They challenged us at moments out wide but we solved that well and also in the box. In possession we wanted to keep the ball better."

There were subtle changes as England continue their preparations for next summer's Euros - and a hint at Wiegman's thoughts, with Mary Earps getting the nod in goal over Hannah Hampton.

England switched to a high press in the second half and made the USA uncomfortable, having rarely tested them in the first half. Alex Greenwood and Jess Carter swapped their centre-back and left-back roles. And Jess Naz was given a more defensive role in her right-wing position.

The Lionesses had to ride their luck at times too as Alyssa Thompson, Casey Krueger and Sam Coffey all forced saves from Earps - before the USA's disallowed goal and overturned penalty.

It was not the dramatic encounter that maybe some had hoped for - instead, it was two of the best coaches in the world, and two of the best teams, cancelling each other out.

Player of the match

M. Earps
7.57
1 M. Earps
7.57
2 L. Bronze
7.49
6 A. Greenwood
7.40
3 J. Carter
7.02
9 A. Russo
6.81
5 L. Williamson
6.72
11 B. Mead
6.69
10 J. Park
6.65
17 C. Kelly
6.54
14 F. Kirby
6.25
4 K. Walsh
6.08
8 G. Stanway
5.98
7 J. Naz
5.76
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