By Tim Parsons-
England created history by winning their first major women’s tournament in a dramatic Euro 2022 final against old rivals and eight-time champions Germany at Wembley.
A record crowd of 87,192 for a European Championship final – men’s or women’s – watched as Chloe Kelly’s first international goal fired the Lionesses to victory over the eight-time winner.
After three defeats at the final hurdle, goals from Kelly and Ella Toone surpassed the equalizer established by Lina Magull’s equalizer, guaranteeing the all important victory for England.
England had only beaten Germany twice in their previous 27 meetings, Wiegman’s players battled to a hard-fought victory to extend the Dutch coach’s impressive streak and spark scenes of pure, unbridled joy at the home of English football.
Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline,” was song throughout the auditorium , with millions more fans singing with them at home.
Fans celebrated in Trafalgar Square in London after England’s victory in the Euro 2022 championship
Lionesses are on stage with manager Sarina Wiegman, and will lift the trophy in front of the crowds.
Substitute Chloe Kelly secured the winning goal for England , sending the raucous record crowd of 87,192 into a frenzy with ten minutes of extra time remaining.
In celebration, she took off her shirt and waved it around her head, while being lifted by her team-mates in a moment of pure elation.
Sarina Wiegman’s side showed star quality against a strong and physical Germany team threw at them.
Ella Toone had earlier come off the bench to score the opener in normal time before Germany’s Lina Magull set up a nervous ending when she equalised in the 79th minute.
Beth Mead was named Euro 2022’s best player after winning the Golden Boot award given to the tournament’s top scorer. Mead edged Germany’s Alexandra Popp in the scoring stakes, despite both players finishing on six goals.
Arsenal’s Mead claimed the prestigious award as she had more assists than Popp, with the England player laying on five goals for her team-mates.
The victory was a first major trophy for the Lionesses – and first for a senior England team since the men won the 1966 World Cup.
There were scenes of jubilation in the stands and an outpouring of emotion by players on the pitch at full-time as the magnitude of their achievement sank in. ‘Women’s football will never be the same again’
The final was advertised as a battle between the competition’s two best-performing sides, and for large parts they cancelled each other out – but the biggest crowd in the history of a men’s or women’s Euros was given their money’s worth.
Striker Ellen White missed a few chances in the first half, Lucy Bronze was denied with a header, Germany’s Magull struck wide and England defender Leah Williamson had to scramble a corner off the line before Toone was introduced to break the deadlock.
She had given England fans the winning taste before Magull stunned the home crowd, though it would only delay the celebrations that Kelly, who only returned to football in April after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, gave them. England did what no other nation had done before – beat serial winners Germany in a European Women’s Championship final, and the feeling was sweet.
It comes 56 years after England’s men beat West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, the only previous major trophy won by a men’s or women’s England senior team.
The players fell to the ground at full-time in tears of joy, in scenes which will be remembered and replayed for years to come on one of the greatest nights in English sport.
The physical battle for dominance and victory swung back and forth throughout the game, but England team fought through valiantly against the determination of the German side.
They continued to threaten and Kelly ran over to the fans to galvanise them when taking a corner, moments before she delivered the winner England fans across the country have dreamed of for 56 years.
Captain Williamson was v visibly sobbing at full-time, while vice-captain Millie Bright wiped tears from her face in an embrace with best friend Rachel Daly.
Wiegman, who has now become the first manager in history to win back-to-back Euros with two different nations after also guiding the Netherlands to glory in 2017, also removed her mask of calmness as she ran on to the pitch with her arms in the air and a look of disbelief.
Young Manchester United star Toone, who has come off the bench to contribute three goals in this tournament, took centre stage when she opened the scoring – but the biggest moment was Kelly’s.
After being forced to sit out the Olympic Games and miss 11 months of football, she fought her way into selection for the Euros and has delivered the goal which will never be forgotten.
Victory in the final was capped by England forward Beth Mead picking up the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals and five assists.
England lifted the trophy to a standing ovation and defender Bronze then slid across the pitch, covered in confetti, before the players embarked on a victory lap draped in flags of Saint George