England's first goalscorer Lauren Hemp was playing as a number nine in place of the injured Alessia RussoEngland beat world champions the United States for the first time since 2017 in front of more than 76,000 fans at Wembley Stadium.
It promised to be a blockbuster fixture and it did not disappoint with VAR drama, goals and a penalty all on show in the friendly.
Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp, filling in as a central striker, put European champions England in front after just 10 minutes.
The USA responded when Sophia Smith fired in an equaliser, but England were awarded a penalty for a high boot on Lucy Bronze after referee Riem Hussein went to check the VAR monitor.
Georgia Stanway stepped up to make it 2-1, before the USA had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside minutes later.
Chances continued to fall for both sides after the break - the visitors having the best of them - in an open and frantic encounter.
There was further frustration for the USA after they were awarded a penalty for handball in the 81st minute, but referee Hussein once again checked the VAR monitor and overturned her decision.
England instead held on to record a huge victory against their long-standing rivals in their first meeting at the national stadium, and extend their impressive unbeaten run to 23 matches under manager Sarina Wiegman.
It was just the third time England have beaten the USA in 11 meetings - and the first victory since March 2017. The two teams met in the 2019 Women's World Cup semi-finals when the USA won 2-1.
It also comes 10 months before the 2023 Women's World Cup which England are bidding to win for the first time, while the USA are hoping to defend their crown for a third successive tournament.
Before kick-off, England showed solidarity with the USA after an inquiry uncovered "systemic" abuse and misconduct in the National Women's Soccer League earlier this week.
Players wore teal armbands during the game, Wembley's arch was lit in teal and both squads gathered in the middle before kick-off, arm-in-arm in front of a banner saying 'Protect The Players'.
England players showed their support for the USA team over allegations of abuse in the NWSLEngland put down marker before World Cup
This was one of England's biggest tests so far under Wiegman, and though both teams were missing key players, it was a dress rehearsal for what could come at the World Cup next summer in Australia and New Zealand.
It was pleasing therefore that the fine margins went England's way in this fixture, when they have suffered so much heartbreak in the past.
Beth Mead's curling cross was not dealt with by defender Alana Cook and Hemp was able to poke in from close range for England's opener.
The 22-year-old was playing in a less familiar number nine position because of the absence of injured striker Alessia Russo and she thrived, causing havoc all match and creating numerous chances.
Mead and Chloe Kelly on the opposite wing were also hugely dangerous in an impressive England attack, but Wiegman's side were also given good fortune.
USA substitute Hailie Mace was shown a yellow card when her high boot caught Bronze in the face, leading to the penalty which Stanway put away to restore England's narrow lead before half-time.
And VAR twice came to England's aid when Trinity Rodman's finish was ruled out after Smith was inches offside in the fluent build-up.
It was another warning sign for England, who were cut open on numerous occasions at the back with Rodman, Megan Rapinoe and Smith all having big chances.
England could have extended their lead too - Stanway fired wide and Bronze struck the side-netting - but the USA thought they had been given a lifeline when the referee blew for handball with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Replays showed the ball deflected off the back of Rachel Daly and the decision was overturned, meaning England were able to hold on to pick up a significant victory in front of 76,893 supporters at Wembley.
Line-ups
England
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Earps
2Bronze5Bright6Greenwood3Daly
8Stanway4Walsh
7Mead10Kirby11Kelly
9Hemp
1Earps2Bronze5BrightBooked at 45mins6Greenwood3Daly8Stanway4Walsh7Mead10KirbySubstituted forTooneat 68'minutes11KellySubstituted forJamesat 90+1'minutes9HempSubstitutes
12Morgan13Roebuck14Zelem15Wubben-Moy16Carter17Parris18Toone19Park20Stokes21MacIver22James23SalmonUSA
Formation 4-3-3
1Naeher
8Huerta3Cook12Girma23Fox
6Rodman10Horan17Sullivan
16Lavelle11Smith15Rapinoe
1Naeher8HuertaSubstituted forDunnat 63'minutes3Cook12GirmaSubstituted forSauerbrunnat 83'minutes23FoxSubstituted forMaceat 22'minutesBooked at 32mins6RodmanBooked at 48minsSubstituted forSanchezat 83'minutes10Horan17SullivanSubstituted forCoffeyat 63'minutes16Lavelle11Smith15RapinoeSubstituted forThompsonat 83'minutesSubstitutes
2Sanchez4Sauerbrunn5Mace7Hatch13Thompson14Coffey18Murphy19Dunn20Howell21Kingsbury22Mewis25DeMeloReferee:Riem HusseinAttendance:76,891Live Text
Match ends, England 2, USA 1.
Second Half ends, England 2, USA 1.
Attempt missed. Sophia Smith (USA) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Corner, USA. Conceded by Alex Greenwood.
Substitution, England. Lauren James replaces Chloe Kelly.
Attempt missed. Ella Toone (England) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Lucy Bronze.
Lucy Bronze (England) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Lindsey Horan (USA).
Attempt missed. Georgia Stanway (England) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ella Toone.
Foul by Alex Greenwood (England).
Sophia Smith (USA) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, USA. Alyssa Thompson replaces Megan Rapinoe.
Substitution, USA. Becky Sauerbrunn replaces Naomi Girma.
Substitution, USA. Ashley Sanchez replaces Trinity Rodman.
VAR Decision: No Penalty USA.
Corner, USA. Conceded by Millie Bright.
Foul by Beth Mead (England).
Crystal Dunn (USA) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Offside, England. Lucy Bronze tries a through ball, but Lauren Hemp is caught offside.
Corner, USA. Conceded by Millie Bright.
