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Record Wembley crowd see England humbled by Germany
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Though it ended with a 3-0 defeat by European champion Germany, the match was a validation of the steady growth that women's football has enjoyed in England, particularly since the 2012 Olympics.
A crowd of over 45,000 a record for a Women's international in England braved torrential conditions and limited public transport to see the historic event. It was also watched by millions at home with the game shown live on BBC2.
The previous record crowd was just over 29,000 for a European Championship match against Finland at Manchester City's Etihad stadium in 2005.
However, the team coached by Mark Sampson fell short on Sunday as Germany mercilessly exposed England's defensive deficiencies.
How ready England is to take on the world's best next year remains unclear. But Wembley showed there is an appetite for further women's games, ensuring the national football stadium isn't just for men's teams.
LN