English women attract record crowd but lose to Germany

LONDON: From a record-breaking night at Wembley, England will only want to remember one set of numbers.

The “77,768” flashing on the big screens during the second half of Saturday’s game against Germany confirmed the biggest-ever crowd either of these teams have played in front of.

“It’s unbelievable,” England striker Ellen White said after her side’s 2-1 defeat. “The support, the noise, the atmosphere. We are really sorry we couldn’t get the result.”

For this was an unforgiving spotlight for the hosts, playing only their second game at the national stadium that is usually the preserve of male footballers.

Klara Buhl’s stoppage-time winner for Germany handed England a fifth loss in seven games, starting with the World Cup semi-final defeat against the United States in July.

“I’ve got to take responsibility for those results,” England manager Phil Neville said.

“I’m the one that picks the team. I’m the one that sets the tactics. I train them, I talk to them, I communicate with them.

“So ultimately the buck has got to start with me and finish with me because the team always reflects the manager. At this moment in time the results aren’t good enough which means that I’m not good enough.” On the field following the game, White addressed the fans after becoming the first woman to score for England at Wembley – five years after the team’s debut at the stadium ended in a 3-0 loss to Germany in front of around 45,000 spectators.

“I’m really sorry we couldn’t get the result,” she said.

The only comfort for the English was the evidence of the growing appeal of women’s football.