Chloe Kelly's extra-time winner ended England's wait for a major trophy in a 2-1 win over Germany in the Women's European
Championship final.
In front of a record-breaking crowd of 87,192 at Wembley Stadium, England went ahead through substitute Ella Toon before
Germany's Lina Magill pulled one back.
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But Kelly provided the perfect finish for England after coming on as a substitute, scoring England's first 110th-minute goal for
men or women since the 1966 World Cup to give the Lionesses their first major tournament win. Lauren Hemp's corner fell
to the Manchester City forward, who beat Germany keeper Merle Fromms at the second attempt.
England captain Leigh Williamson called the title "the proudest moment of my life" in an emotional post-match scene at
Wembley.
Williamson couldn't stop crying. "We talked, we talked and we talked and finally we did it.
This team is a legacy of winners and that is the journey. I love you all, I'm proud to be English. I am trying my best. not to swear."
Consistency was key in England's run to the final, so it was no surprise when manager Sarina Wiegmann named the same
starting XI for a sixth consecutive match -- the first team to do so in men's or women's Euro history.
Germany was shocked when their top scorer Alexandra Popp was pulled from the starting lineup before kicking a ball after
suffering a muscle problem in the warm-up. He was replaced by Leah Shuler.
That spurred England on, and they made an almost perfect start when Fran Kirby curled in Ellen White's cross that the
Lionesses' record scorer headed straight to Fromes.
In the 25th instant, Germany somewhere took the lead from a Magul corner. Germany custodian Marina Hegering menaced
from close range before England keeper Mary Earps claimed to stop the peril. Wiegmann's side was relieved when the VAR
check failed for the handball.
England finalized a fragment of the first half mightily and could hold gone along in front in the 38th moment when Beth
Meade set up White in the area with a cut-reverse, but the striker fired a left-footed shot as he stretched to make contact.
With the impulse shifting towards the hosts, Germany director Martina Voss- Tecklenburg made an early negotiation at
half-time, bringing on Tabea Wasmuth for Jules Brandt.
The change gave Germany new purpose and they fired a warning shot on 50 twinkles when Magule Earps flashed a good
chance at the right post after a clever turn into the box.
Wigman tasted the peril and properly dispatched his two super backups, Tune and Alessia Russo. And Toney put England
ahead in style in the 62nd shake, taking the ball through a penalty from Keira Walsh before finishing over Fromes to shoot
Wembley into a rampage.
Germany rose to the challenge and nearly evened in the 66th nanosecond when Muggle broke into the box. His right-footed
the shot went off the bar before Schuler failed to tap in the answer.
Magul was Germany's most lively player and he sometimes made the difference in the 79th heartbeat. Wassmuth transferred
a low cross into the area and Muggle side-footed home at the near post to temporarily silence the England suckers.
From turned down Toon's shot from distance with his nadirs in spare time before Kelly transported England back into dreamland
with his winner.
" It does not look real," Toon said." I am shaking my head. actually the informal moment of my career, the workaday moment
of my life. I am so proud to be a part of this platoon."
Their triumph, against a country that has beaten multitudinous England outfits preliminarily-- both men's and women's--,
also drew a congratulatory communication from Queen Elizabeth.
" Your success far exceeds the jewels you have earned. You all set a prototype that will be a consolation to girls and women
present and for generations to come," wrote the queen.
" It's my opportunity that you'll be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you're now."
