Tue 28 Oct - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 2mins
Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium hosted its first-ever England Women senior international fixture on Tuesday night.
UEFA EURO 2025 winners England faced Australia in an international friendly as part of their Homecoming Series.
Having also claimed the UEFA EURO 2022 title, the Lionesses became the first-ever senior England side to win a major tournament on foreign soil in the summer by defeating Spain in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.
Before a sold-out Pride Park crowd, England claimed a 3-0 victory over The Matildas.
Winger Aggie Beever-Jones put England ahead after 20 minutes with a rasping drive from distance moments after defender Alanna Kennedy was sent off for the visitors for a professional foul.
Defender Lucy Bronze went on to make it 2-0 five minutes before half-time to put England firmly in control, before an injury-time penalty from substitute Georgia Stanway seconds before the final whistle rounded off the scoring.
The Lionesses used the match as vital preparation with the start of qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon in February next year. It also provided Sarina Wiegman’s squad the chance to test themselves against a side they defeated in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Semi-Final.
Derby’s home ground, opened in 1997, previously staged an England Men international friendly against Mexico in May 2001.
Pride Park Stadium has also hosted prominent Women’s fixtures in the form of the 2008/09 FA Women's Cup Final between Arsenal and Sunderland and the 2024/25 Women's League Cup Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
It was, however, the first England Women fixture to be played at the club’s home ground and only the third senior international.
The club would like to thank all those involved, and officials from the Football Association, for their efforts to achieve a memorable and historic occasion at the home of Derby County for the local community.
