The Lionesses rounded off their successful 2025 by taking on Ghana at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton. Keira Walsh captained England and was joined in the starting XI by Chelsea team-mates Lucy Bronze and Aggie Beever-Jones.

England broke the deadlock early into the game; Lucia Kendall scoring her first England goal on her second appearance with a close-range finish.

Sarina Wiegman's side dominated the contest and created several chances to add to their lead. Beever-Jones came close with a header that struck the crossbar before she was replaced by Alessia Russo, who scored a 95th-minute penalty to ensure the Lionesses finished the year with a victory.

Sadly, there was disappointment for Nusken in the Nations League final, as Spain defeated Germany to retain the trophy.

Nusken started in midfield for Germany, who competed well during the first half and the game was goalless at the half-time interval.

However, Spain’s quality shone through in the second period and a brace from Claudia Pina and a goal from Vicky Lopez ensured La Roja once again lifted the Nations League trophy.

In the third-place play-off, extra time was needed to separate Nathalie Bjorn and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd's Sweden, and Sandy Baltimore and Oriane Jean-Francois' France.

Sweden trailed 2-1 from the first leg in France and fell further behind in the tie when Clara Mateo netted in the 58th minute of the second leg in Stockholm.

Jean-Francois was introduced with 12 minutes to play to help see France over the line, but Sweden produced a dramatic fightback in the latter stages.

The deficit was reduced when Milan midfielder Evelyn Ijeh netted and, in stoppage time, Rusul Kafaji scored to force an extra 30 minutes.

The impressive Bjorn and Rytting Kaneryd started for Sweden and went on to play the full 120 minutes, while Baltimore was brought on in the first period of extra time. And it was our French duo who were celebrating come the full-time whistle, as a goal from Kelly Gago secured a 4-3 aggregate win for Les Bleues.

Elsewhere, Erin Cuthbert was sadly stretchered off in the final few minutes of Scotland’s 3-2 friendly victory over China. The Blues midfielder suffered a head injury following a collision with Yao Wei and required several minutes of treatment before being carried off while wearing a neck brace. We wish Erin a speedy recovery.

Elsewhere, Veerle Buurman was introduced as a second-half substitute as the Netherlands defeated South Korea 5-0, and Blues goalkeeper Livia Peng was unused as Switzerland were beaten 3-2 in a friendly against Wales.

Earlier in the day, Catarina Macario scored a stunning goal for the USA to help them defeat Italy 2-0 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

Starting alongside Chelsea team-mates Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson, Macario opened the scoring in the 20th minute in fine fashion. She raced onto a long pass forward and clipped the ball expertly over the head of Mexico goalkeeper Francesca Durante and into the top corner.

The U.S. doubled their advantage before the break, with Thompson instrumental to the goal. She exchanged passes in midfield with Macario before feeding the ball to Jaedyn Shaw, who shifted inside onto her right foot and curled the ball home from 20 yards.

Both Girma and Thompson were replaced at the interval, but Macario went on to play the full 90 minutes of the United States' victory.

Sam Kerr, meanwhile, continued on her road back to full match fitness by playing 45 minutes of Australia's 2-0 win over New Zealand at Coopers Stadium.

The Chelsea striker started and captained the Matildas, who opened the scoring in the first half through Alanna Kennedy. Kerr was replaced at the interval by Melbourne City's Holly McNamara, and the home side added a second with 20 minutes to play thanks to a goal from Hayley Raso.