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Football

31st Jul 2022

England Women win Euro 2022 for first time ever with victory over Germany at Wembley

Daniel Brown

The Lionesses made history at Wembley

England won the 2022 Women’s Euros for the first time in history after defeating Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday night.

Sarina Wiegman’s side took a 1-0 lead over Germany thanks to a second half strike from substitute Ella Toone, who calmly chipped the goalkeeper in the 62nd minute.

However, Germany reacted well and levelled proceedings through Lina Magull in the 79th minute.

The game went to extra time, but it was England who grabbed the winner in the 111th minute through substitute Chloe Kelly, who stabbed home from close range to win the final for the Lionesses.

The Lionesses – in their third final – named an unchanged starting line-up for the sixth time in the tournament, becoming the first side to name the same XI in six Euro matches.

On the other hand, Germany were dealt a nightmare blow before a ball had even been kicked, with the joint top-scorer in the tournament, Alexandra Popp, being forced out of the match after suffering an injury in the warm up.

Wiegman’s side had an early chance to take the lead inside four minutes, but Ellen White wasn’t able to generate enough power on her header after Fran Kirby’s inviting cross.

Germany were unlucky not to take the lead as a mad scramble occurred in the six-yard box. Leah Williamson and Rachel Daly were able to stop the ball from being knocked into the back of the net before England shot-stopper Mary Earps dived on the ball.

White had another chance in the first period as Beth Mead did well to get down the right and drag a pass back. However, the Manchester City strike got under her shot and smashed it over the bar.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side started the second half on top and had two chances to take the lead. Earps gathered a tame left-foot shot from Germany substitute Tabea Wassmuth, beforeLina Magull Magull manufactures a yard of space on Keira Walsh, but she could only poke her right-footed shot a yard wide of the post.

England took the lead in the 62nd minute through substitute Toone. She was found by an incredible long-range pass from Keira Walsh and was able to break away from the Germany defence, before chipping a brilliant finish over Merle Frohms and into the back of the net.

The Lionesses were almost caught out when Lina Magull got in down the right. She did well to make her way into the penalty area, but smashed her shot against the bar. The ball did fall to Lea Schuller, but her follow-up was hit straight at Earps.

Voss-Tecklenburg’s side equalised in the 79th minute with a well-worked goal. Magull touched home Wassmuth’s low cross after some good work from Sydney Lohmann.

The game went to extra-time, and it was England who grabbed the winning goal through substitute Kelly – who grabbed her first international goal. The ball was delivered deep by Hemp and kept alive by Bronze and Kelly, with the latter – at the second attempt – turning to stab the ball low beyond Merle Frohms.

England – in their third final – held on to win the trophy for the first time in history.

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