Despite making an error for the away side's goal, Stanway made amends as she stood up to cooly tuck away a penalty into the bottom corner after striker Lauren Hemp opened the scoring.
Hemp was given the role up front with manager Sarina Wiegman suffering a striker shortage, due to the retirements of Ellen White, as well as the injury to Alessia Russo.
History was made weeks before the two sides even took to the pitch, as tickets sold out for the 90,000-seated Wembley Stadium, within just 15 minutes - making it the fastest sellout in women's football history.
England headed into the historic clash following a stunning few months. After defeating Germany to claim their first ever major trophy at Euro 2022, a contest between Europe's best side and the world champions gave it a much bigger feel than just a friendly.
The USA were also coming in with good form, winning the CONCACAF Championships in the summer.
The significance of the match was further emphasised by the fact that the 2023 World Cup is on the horizon, with both nations likely to be huge factors in Australia and New Zealand. The United States beat the Lionesses in the semi-finals of the last World Cup in 2019, so revenge was on the mind of the hosts.
On a night celebrating the 50th anniversary of the England Women's team (November 18th 1972), as well as their Euro 2022 triumph earlier this year, it very much gave the feel of a party atmosphere. This continued throughout the game, with the crowd truly in a boisterous mood - 150 former and current England women's internationals were in attendance.
The recently retired midfielder and second-all-time (161) leading cap holder for England, Jill Scott, was also commemorated before the game, while the 1972 side formed a guard of honour for the players taking to the pitch.
However, moments before kick-off, a more serious tone was taken, with all 22 players joining together to hold a banner which simply read, 'protect the players', following more reports of abuse in the Women's Soccer League.
The game started with the USA creating a chance within the opening two minutes which was struck straight at the goalkeeper. Despite that, England settled into the game much quicker, with the women's player of the year Beth Mead looking lively early on.
Her efforts were soon rewarded in the 10th minute, when she put in a cross for Hemp to tap in and break the deadlock, following a scruffy piece of defending by Alana Cook in the penalty area.
England continued to assert their dominance, however, the United States found a way back into the game when midfielder Stanway was caught dawdling on the edge of her box. The lively and impressive Sophia Smith pounced, and finished emphatically past Mary Earps.
Despite the momentum seemingly swinging towards the away side, England soon regained the lead. Referee Riem Hussein was sent to take a look at VAR after Hailie Mace - who was substituted on in the 22nd minute for the injured Emily Fox - was guilty of leaving in a high boot on defender Lucy Bronze in the penalty area. She was punished with a booking.
A penalty was awarded, which Stanway dispatched in the 34th minute.
The drama continued though, with Smith yet again causing problems for an English defence missing talismanic captain Leah Williamson. After a sloppy piece of defending, Smith found herself free and running towards the England goal. She squared it for the unmarked Trinity Rodman to slot home, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside in the build-up.
Hemp had a chance on the stroke of half-time to grab her second goal of the game when driving through on goal, but her shot was straight at Alyssa Naeher.
The game continued to be a breathless and stretched affair at the beginning of the second half, with both sides creating chances. Smith was again at the heart of it for the Americans, as she dragged a left-footed shot past the post, while Bronze fired an effort into the side netting after some good work from Hemp.
The pantomime villain of the match, Megan Rapinoe - who has admitted to taking pleasure in winding the English up - was constantly booed and jeered during the 90 minutes, in spite of the fact that she failed to make an impact on the occasion.
Stanaway was close to making it 3-1 in the 76th minute, with a nice piece of footwork allowing her some time on the edge of the penalty area, but her shot was hit wide.
Ten minutes from the end, the referee bizarrely gave the United States a penalty for handball. VAR yet again intervened, as the ball had clearly come off the top of the leg and nowhere near the arm of the England player.
There were fewer chances to speak of in the dying minutes, as England went on to claim a stunning victory on their return to home soil. They next head to Brighton to take on the Czech Republic on October 11th.
