They think England have won a major tournament… They have now!

Lionesses show Germany the Wembley way

Never in doubt, was it? After 56 years, English football finally got its hands on big-time silverware once again, as the Lionesses came through extra time to beat Germany 2-1 and lay the many ghosts to rest.

There were countless stats, clichés and historical moments that could have been used to try and illustrate this fantastical final curtain to the Womens’ Euro 2022, so what to boil it down to?

Easy. By far the two best sides of the tournament going toe-to-toe, with 33 goals scored between them before the showpiece. This tournament has rarely had a dull moment, so one hell of a ride was expected during the 90 minutes – or would it prove to be longer? Damn those pesky stats and clichés.

Stories of that cheeky yet phenomenal backheel weren’t even yesterday’s fish n’ chip paper, and the goal itself certainly wouldn’t be worth that if England failed to go one better than Tuesday’s unforgettable semi-final. Doubtless Sarina Wiegman didn’t put it quite like that in the dressing room, but the message was surely of similar ilk. So, could the Lionesses win their first major championship in front of a packed Wembley?

Ellen White started ahead of Alessia Russo, scorer of the aforementioned backheel, alongside top goalscorer Beth Mead. Chasing her haul of seven was Germany’s Alexandra Popp and, sadly, she was to kick-off the headlines for all the wrong reasons; namely, injured in the warmup and so unable to start.

But surely England would be buoyed by this, and the longer the first half went on the less likely it looked that Popp would be coming off the bench. It was an even and thoroughly watchable first 45 minutes, not least for the little bit of needle going on between White and German ‘keeper Merle Frohms.

Other than that, England somehow survived a goalmouth scramble around the 20-minute mark which even led to a penalty check. One flag at a very warm Wembley read ‘Walking in a Wiegman Wonderland’, and the omens suggested the Lionesses might well be doing so, especially as their coach was, as usual, as cool as a chilled can of Grolsch.

And then, after 61 minutes, a chip from Ellie Toone brought the dream closer to reality. Germany were visibly shocked and even went into their shell a little, until some slack defending helped to present them with the equaliser – Lena Magull threatening to spoil the party. All too familiar? A nation was holding its breath.

So to extra time it went and, with both sides understandably cream-crackered, there was no telling what was in store. In the second period, many of the England team were looking ragged with the opposition possibly less so, but Chloe Kelly had other ideas. Memories of her career-threatening injury a little over a year ago were well and truly banished as she poked home what turned out to be the winner. Cue the wildest of celebrations.

With the final whistle sounding, English players sank to their knees in scenes reminiscent of Jack Charlton and company doing likewise in 1966. The similarities didn’t end there of course, but this team can also lay claim to the golden boot winner in Mead, as well as Londoner Kelly being granted the freedom of the Borough of Ealing.

Not to mention the odd goal that would grace any game at any level. It’s easy to start waxing lyrical about moments like this and then find yourself delving into a pit of girls-against-boys squabbles, so let’s enjoy it for what it is: an historical night for women’s, as well as English sport, and surely the start of more recognition for the Women’s Super League.

Let’s also hope that this can inspire Gareth Southgate‘s troops in Qatar, and put the pathetic scenes witnessed at last year’s Euro final – played out in and around this very ground – firmly to bed. In the meantime, congratulations Lionesses and thanks for the memories.