W Euro 2022: England’s historic victory – it’s home!
England’s historic victory the Lionesses have been crowned champions of Europe, after winning their first major trophy, defeating Germany 2-1 at Wembley.
Sarina Wiegman said “it was time to party” after a historic victory for the Lionesses.
England took the lead when substitute Ella Toone came on in the second half to chip the keeper. Germany’s Lina Magull levelled it up for Germany forcing the teams to take it to extra time. England’s Chloe Kelly, after a scramble for the ball in the box, slotted away the 110th-minute winning goal.
England Euro 2022 win – 2-1 victory – Match review
The match between England and Germany was billed as two old rivals facing off in a dramatic fashion. England had never won a major women’s trophy, and Germany are eight-time champions.
But under Sarina Weigman, England are a whole different team and certainly an equal to the mighty Germans. It was fairly difficult to separate the two teams, either could have snatched the win – both teams were strong, quick and skilled in front of goal. But England’s talents shone through right to the very last minutes of extra time.
Substitute Chloe Kelly poked home a loose ball from a corner to send the record crowd (that’s for both men’s and women’s football) into a frenzy – with just 10-minutes of extra time remaining.
Ella Toone had slotted home a sweet goal (the opening goal) in normal time before the Germans equalised in the 79th minute.
These two teams were the competition’s best-performing sides and for large parts, their performance cancelled each other out – but the crowds in the stadium and audience at home got a hell of a performance from both teams.
A fair few chances were missed, England’s goalkeeper proved Weignman’s faith in her was not misplaced and England remained calm, cool and collected.
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Kelly’s goal will be remembered for a lifetime – as will her celebration when she took off her shirt and whirled it around over her head.
After the final whistle blew, Kelly was asked to sum up her feelings. “Oh my God, look at them, it’s amazing,” Kelly added, before running off with the microphone to join in the singing of Sweet Caroline.
When she returned she said: “Thank you to every single person. Honestly, it’s amazing. This is what dreams are made of.
“It’s unbelievable. To be here and score the winner, these girls are special, this manager is special. This is amazing. I just want to celebrate now.”
The Lionesses will celebrate their win in front of fans at Trafalgar Square on Monday – an event that will be broadcast live from 12:40 BST.
Sarina Weigman – ‘First we party’
The England manager Sarina Weigman has now won back-to-back European Women’s Championships after guiding her home country the Netherlands to the title in 2017.
Whilst Weigman was giving her post-match news conference, the players gatecrashed, singing the English football anthem “Three Lions.”
“I don’t have any secrets,” said Wiegman, whose side won all six games at Euro 2022, scoring 22 goals and conceding two.
“I don’t think I realise what’s going on – I need some time.
“Now we have won the Euros the expectation will go up again. First we will party.”
The England manager, like many others, hopes England’s victory will inspire a new generation of players.
“During our preparation for the Euros we brought in some players who played in 1971,” she added.
“We should always remember the ones who went before us because they made a path for us. This team makes a path for the next generation.”
Attention turns to next year’s World Cup
Lucy Bronze turned her attention to next year’s World Cup – held in Australia and New Zealand, saying England now needs to target that competition.
“This will probably sink in at the end of my career,” added Bronze. “The younger players probably think this [winning trophies] is normal. We have got to go and win the World Cup now.”
Goal scorer Toone said the triumph “doesn’t feel real.”
“I’m buzzing my head off,” added Toone, who grew up practising playing football in her back garden in Tyldesley, near Wigan.
“It’s the best moment of my career, the best moment of my life. It’s come home.”
Whilst the England captain, Leah Williamson said: “I can’t stop crying. We talk and we talk and we’ve finally done it,” she told BBC Sport.
“It’s the proudest moment of my life. I’m taking in every single second because I’ll want to relive this for a long time.
“The legacy of this tournament is a change in society. We have brought people together, brought people to games. We want people at WSL games.”
England Euro 2022 win: Queen leads the tributes to the Lionesses
The Queen has paid tributes to England’s Euro 2022 winners, calling them an “inspiration.”
It’s England’s first major tournament success since the 1966 men’s World Cup.
“My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Championships,” a statement from the Queen said.
The message continued: “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 tweeted: “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!”
PM Boris Johnson said: “Football has come home! A stunning victory by the Lionesses.
“Huge congratulations to Sarina [Wiegman, manager], Leah [Williamson, captain] and the whole team. Football pitches across the country will be filled as never before by girls and women inspired by your triumph.”
The men’s team captain, Harry Kane tweeted: “Absolutely unreal scenes at Wembley!! Massive congrats to the amazing Lionesses” Ella Toone, take a bow for that finish too.”
Whilst Man Utd and England defender Harry Maguire wrote: “Brilliant game. History made. The whole country is proud of you. Enjoy the celebrations.”
Record TV audience for England’s Euro 2022 win
England’s Euro 2022 final was watched by a peak TV audience of 17.4 million – that makes it the most-watched women’s football game on UK TV.
It’s also the most-watched programme in the UK so far this year.
There were a further 5.9 million streams on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
A record Wembley crowd of 87,192 people watched the game.
BBC director-general said: “We are incredibly proud to have championed women’s football and are thrilled we were able to bring such a special sporting moment to the public
“This was the most-watched women’s football game on UK television of all-time and the most-watched programme in 2022 so far – and deservedly so. Everyone at the BBC is delighted at the win and being able to share that with the public.”
Last year’s men’s final between England and Wembley peaked at 30,95 million viewers.
That was the highest TV audience since the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
