By Robert Wheeler
- Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 after extra time.
- Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly on the scoresheet.
- Captain Leah Williams lifts the trophy at Wembley.
WEMBLEY, UK – England defeat Germany 2-1 after extra time in front of a packet national stadium.
England’s wait for winning a major trophy is over thanks to goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. The Lionesses were unchanged again. While a blow for Germany was that their top goalscorer Alexandra Popp was ruled out after getting injured in the warm-up.
Ellen White had a chance in the third minute when Fran Kirby‘s cross found Ellen White but her header was straight at goalkeeper Merle Frohms. Frohms was tested again in the 18th minute when Lucy Bronze‘s header from a Beth Mead corner but it was again easily gathered by the German.
The ball was nearly bundled into the England net from a German corner in the 25th minute but Mary Earps managed to hold onto it on the line. White had another chance in the ten minutes before halftime when Mead’s cut-back found her striker but she was leaning back and the shot flew over the bar.
As the referee blew for the break it remained goalless in a tense atmosphere at Wembley. Germany had the first chance of the second half when substitute Tabea Wassmuth broke free but her shot was easily saved by Earps. Lina Magull had a shot that zipped past the post shortly afterwards.
Sarina Wiegman responded to Germany’s good start to the second period by bringing on Alessia Russo and Toone for Kirby and White. Toone made an instant impact with a fantastic chip in the 61st minute after a great long pass from Kieran Walsh. It did not take long for Germany to test England as Magull hit the crossbar.
Then in the 78th minute, an equaliser came as Magull who had a goal coming fired into the roof of the net assisted by Wassmuth. Jill Scott came on in the 88th minute to become the only English footballer to appear in two major finals having also played in the 2009 Euros final.
As the whistle went at the end of 90 minutes with the score at 1-1 the match headed into extra time. In the 110th minute, substitute Kelly stabbed in from a corner celebrating jubilantly with her shirt off. Russo had a chance to seal it but Frohms was equal to it.
The final whistle went with ecstatic celebrations on the pitch and in the stands. England won the Euros. Football really had come home.
Speaking to the BBC after the game England legend Jill Scott said “I can’t believe it! It’s such a privilege to be a part of this. What a day! The younger players have been fantastic, playing with freedom. The celebrations are going to be big and I don’t think I’m going to sleep this week!”
Mead collected her player of the tournament award and the golden boot winners trophy. Then the Lionesses lifted the trophy in a stadium that had turned into one big party.
After they have finished celebrating England’s next match will be against Austria in the World Cup Qualifiers on Saturday 3 September kicking off at 16:30 BST.
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