Willed on by a record European Championship final crowd (men's or women's) of 87,192 inside Wembley, a tired and vulnerable England overcame Germany's late equalizer and found a 110th-minute winner in extra time to earn the nation a first major international trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Football has finally come home thanks to goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, although it took something of a charmed performance against a German side that'd never lost a Euro final in eight previous appearances.
Ellen White had a couple opportunities of note in the first half for England, but the real story was a potential handball by the otherwise excellent Leah Williamson after a goalmouth scramble following a corner kick. The Arsenal defender appeared to rely on her arm to keep the ball from crossing the goal-line, and although the VAR had a look, Germany wasn't awarded a penalty.
The opening half hour in a picture
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) July 31, 2022
England went on to take the lead in the 62nd minute through Toone. The Manchester United attacker had just replaced Fran Kirby, and one of her first touches was a filthy chip over Merle Frohms after being played through by Keira Walsh.
ELLA TOONE SUBS ON AND PUTS ENGLAND AHEAD WITHIN MINUTES WITH A CHIP OVER THE KEEPER!!!! pic.twitter.com/UN6BE2lG7c
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2022
The Lionesses crept towards the title in controlled style, but the Frauenteam got a deserved equalizer with only 10 minutes left after Tabea Waßmuth picked out Lina Magull for the unstoppable finish.
GERMANY RIGHT BACK IN IT
MAGULL TIES IT! pic.twitter.com/n1wyOsBETx— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2022
The momentum was on Germany's side in extra time, and it felt like England was holding on for penalties before earning a corner in the 110th minute. The initial ball in missed a horde of players in the center, bounced to Kelly in front of goal and the Manchester City player whiffed on an initial effort before stabbing home following some hesitancy from Kathrin Hendrich and Frohms.
This really felt like England's own version of the USWNT's '99ers, so the Brandi Chastain celebration was entirely fitting.
CHLOE KELLY PUTS IT AWAY IN EXTRA TIME FOR ENGLAND!! pic.twitter.com/jhzw8Lyu1l
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2022
Cue "Sweet Caroline."
ENGLAND ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/xt5UiyLg41
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2022
THE TROPHY LIFT
CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/vMXTwhBxfz— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 31, 2022
"I just can't stop crying," Williamson said after the match. "We talk, we talk and we talk and we finally done it. You know what, the kids are alright. This is the proudest moment of my life. The legacy of this tournament is the change in society. The legacy of this team is winners and that is the journey. I love every single one of you, I'm so proud to be English. I'm trying so hard not to swear."
It's back-to-back European titles for manager Sarina Wiegman, who'll now try to lead England to glory at next summer's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. England has emerged as the most serious threat to the USWNT's title defense, although Germany, France and Spain will all be challengers based off the evidence of the past month.
