England‘s wait for a major trophy is over after Chloe Kelly’s winner in extra-time handed them a 2-1 victory over Germany in the women’s 2022 European Championship final.
The substitute sent a packed Wembley Stadium into raptures when Lauren Hemp‘s corner fell to her feet, and she made no mistake in stabbing home the rebound.
After a moment of confusion, Kelly ripped her shirt off and celebrated, as the Lionesses won their first major tournament. It’s also England’s first major tournament triumph for men or women since the 1966 World Cup.
England named the same starting XI for the sixth consecutive match, while Germany were without top scorer Alexandra Popp after she pulled out due to a muscular problem in the warm-up.
The two sides exchanged chances in the opening 45 minutes, but headed into the break goalless. Germany brought on Tabea Wassmuth for Jule Brand at the break, and it seemed to swing momentum in their favour.
England responded with two substitutes of their own in the 56th minute, and it paid dividends for the home side just minutes later.
Ella Toone latched onto a through ball from Keira Walsh and lofted a finish over Merle Frohms to the delight of the home supporters.
However, after Germany came close to equalising in the 66th minute, they finally did so with 11 minutes remaining. Tabea Wassmuth‘s low cross found Lina Magull, who silenced Wembley with a side-footed finish.
Extra-time was needed to decide the encounter, with Hemp‘s strike in the 110th minute sending Wembley into delirium.
