England’s women’s team was crowned champion of Europe after beating Germany at Wembley in front of a packed crowd.
With 87,192 in attendance for the final, the match set a European Championship record for both men’s and women’s football. In a massive blow to the German team, the tournament’s joint top-scorer, Alexandra Popp, was replaced in the starting 11 after being injured during warm-ups. She wasn’t involved at all in the match.
Ella Toone put England ahead in the 62nd minute before Lena Magull evened the score with 11 minutes left in the match. The affair couldn’t be settled over 90 minutes, so it went to extra time. Chloe Kelly, with her 110th-minute goal, offered England the victory, as tens of thousands cheered on from the stands.
Wiegman: ‘I need a couple of days to realize what we’ve done’
The Lionesses won their first European trophy in their third final, having also featured in the last act in 1984 and 2009. For the Germans, Sunday’s loss was their first after winning all the eight finals they played before.
“I think I need a couple of days to realize what we’ve done,” said England boss Sarina Wiegman, who’s never lost a match at the Euros. Before taking charge of the English women’s team, Wiegman guided the Netherlands to victory in 2017, also with a flawless record.
“I’ve lost my voice a little bit,” she continued. “I think what we’ve done is really incredible. I’m so proud of the team,” Wiegman stressed.
The England manager was appointed less than a year ago. The Lionesses remain unbeaten under her, with the Germany game marking her 18th victory in 20 games.
“It was so tight but who cares?” Wiegman said. “We won 2-1 and we are European champions. If you really want to win and become better every single day … That’s what I have noticed the whole year. It’s been incredible. We agreed a couple of things on behaviors, they weren’t just words, we lived it. And this is the result,” Wiegman concluded.