England’s Lionesses wrote football history on Sunday as they won the country’s first major women’s football tournament, overcoming old adversaries Germany after extra-time at Wembley in the Euro 2022 final.
England thought they had done enough to get the job done and keep the trophy in HA9 in normal time, after substitute Ella Toone came off the bench to open the scoring with a sumptuous finish, sparking jubilant scenes in the 87,192 record Euro crowd for a men's or women's fixture.
However, the German Women - eight-time champions of this competition - had never lost a European final and threatened to bring the party firmly to a halt when Lina Magull escaped at the near post to convert a low cross and silence the home crowd with just 11 minutes of normal time left.
But England dug deep in extra-time, and with ten minutes to go before penalties, another substitute in Chloe Kelly poked a loose ball under the keeper and into the net after the Germans failed to clear a corner, taking her shirt off and waving it over her head as she and her teammates celebrated what would prove to be the winner.
The final whistle sparked wild celebrations, as England became the first team to topple Germany’s women in a European final.
It also saw England bring home a major trophy for the first time in 56 years, after the men’s side saw off West Germany in the World Cup final of 1966 at the same venue.
It was also 26 years ago since the words “football is coming home” were first heard on the lips of the English public, and the famous lyrics to the Three Lions song finally rang true.
But this victory is far greater than that: on one of English sport’s finest nights, the belief is there that this triumph will change the face of women’s sport in this country forever.
The crowd was not just a record for a men’s or women’s Euro game, but male supporters were chanting and wearing the names of their female stars before, during and after the match, while fan parks across the nation were packed with supporters.
England captain Leah Williamson, who was in tears of joy at the full-time whistle, hailed the Lionesses’ triumph as a turning point for the women’s game.
Speaking to reporters on the pitch after the game, she said: “We said we wanted to make our legacy about winning and that's what we did.
“The legacy of the tournament was already made before that final game - what we've done for women and young girls who can look up and aspire to be us.
“I think England have hosted an incredible tournament and we've changed the game in this country - and hopefully across Europe and across the world.”
Indeed, England only had a women’s domestic league from the year 2011, and it only turned fully professional in 2018-19, signifying how far the women’s game has come in such a short space of time. All of this headway started in the year 2009, when the Football Association started awarding women’s national team contracts and allowed them to train at England’s footballing centre, St George’s Park.
The last time England contested a European final was in that year, when the game in this country had only taken small steps toward professionalism. The opponents that day were Germany, who with their better developed domestic game ran out 6-2 winners. How things change over time.
One player in England’s current crop survived from that first final appearance in the form of veteran midfielder, Jill Scott, who emerged from the bench late in the game to help England edge the win.
It was fitting, therefore, that England’s victors dedicated their title to all the women who came before them and worked as trailblazers for the game in this country, helping carve out the road that made this maiden women’s title possible.
And a wave of incredible reaction poured in from across the country from leading figures, with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II calling the Lionesses “an inspiration”.
The Queen said: “It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
“The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise. However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned.
“You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.
“It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.”
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, was at the awarding ceremony to hand out medals to both finalists, and he wrote on social media: “Sensational. An incredible win. The whole nation couldn't be prouder of you all. Wonderful to see history in the making tonight at Wembley, congratulations!”
Prime minister, Boris Johnson, hailed the win as the night “Football has come home”, adding that it was a “stunning victory” pulled off by England’s women.
Johnson added: “Huge congratulations to Sarina (Wiegman, England manager), Leah (Williamson, England captain) and the whole team. Football pitches across the country will be filled as never before by girls and women inspired by your triumph.
Mark Bullingham, CEO of the Football Association, said that the title came as an “historic sporting moment” and praised the Lionesses for being “outstanding ambassadors both on and off the pitch”.
Bullingham continued: “Not only have they captured the hearts of the nation, but they have also broken down boundaries. They have left a lasting legacy that will positively impact women's and girls' football in this country for generations to come.”
Sir Geoff Hurst, whose hattrick delivered England’s only other major trophy back in 1966, wrote on Twitter that he was “unbelievably proud” of the Lionesses’ achievement.
The nation was later given its chance to pay tribute to its heroes and gratefully seized the chance, as thousands of fans packed into Trafalgar Square on Monday for the victory parade.
With high hopes that the women’s game in this country can look forward to a prosperous future, the England Lionesses’ main focus now turns to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in less than a year’s time, as they bid to become the most successful national team in English football history.
Dutch courage
The mastermind of this England victory, unassuming Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, becomes the first manager in history to win back-to-back European Championships with two different countries.
Back in 2017, Wiegman was the orchestrator of English heartbreak after guiding the Netherlands to the Euro title on home soil, beating England en route to winning the trophy.
Now England boss, she has instilled an unbreakable winning mentality in the Lionesses camp. Usually, the picture of calm and collectiveness on the sidelines, even she shed her relaxed aura and became engulfed in the full-time celebrations. The Football Association has already made its position clear that it intends to discuss extending her contract in the near future.
Photo by James Boyes from UK on Wikimedia Commons
