England needed this test, and they passed it despite conceding a late equalizer and having to deal with the pressures of a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses appeared unbeatable at times. Winning silverware has become a habit, and the sense of defeat has faded from memory.

But, with four months until the World Cup begins in Australia and New Zealand, they needed a serious test to avoid entering the tournament unprepared.

In the first Women’s Finalissima on Thursday night, a young but talented Brazilian side gave England exactly that – and Wiegman’s players delivered on the big stage once again, winning a penalty shootout after conceding a 93rd-minute equalizer in normal time.

“I was pretty composed [during the shootout].” “This game provides us with a wealth of information,” Wiegman told BBC Sport.

“We struggled a lot in the second half.” I don’t like it right now because it’s very nice when you can control the game. And in the second half, we lost control.

“However, I believe we gain so much from this game afterward.” We really needed this in our World Cup preparations.”