Euro féminin 2022 – L’Angleterre championne d’Europe après sa victoire en prolongations contre l’Allemagne (2-1)

The English did it! The Germans were favorites, but the trophy will stay at home. In the final of Euro 2022, Beth Mead’s teammates won at Wembley against their historic German rivals (2-1, after extra time). It was once again the substitutes who made the difference for the Lionesses, with a first goal from Ella Toone (Manchester United, 62nd) and the winning goal from Manchester City striker Chloe Kelly (110th).

The English won the first major trophy in their history, and the first major title for an English national football team since the 1966 World Cup. It was already in the final against Germany, at Wembley, and after extra time. The perfect symbol.

A hard-fought match

There was a lost final in 2009 against these same Germans. The defeat at Wembley of the Three Lions last year on penalties against Italy. Sarina Wiegman’s players therefore carried on their shoulders the hope of an entire people, bruised by numerous defeats for 66 years. The first German heat stroke came from Marina Hegering: the German defender of Bayern almost took advantage of a scramble in front of the English surface but the ball was captured by Mary Earps, while Leah Williamson and Rachel Daly (28th) were close of the fault.

A few minutes later, White missed the target on a rebound from the left in the area, while the top scorer in the history of the Lionesses had been ideally isolated by Mead (38th). A rough first period in the duels, with three yellow cards between the 23rd minute and the 41st minute, but quite poor in opportunities.

Chloe Kelly, a name now etched in history

Everything was unlocked in the second half, with the famous attacking changes of the Dutch coach of the Lionesses, illustrated throughout the competition by Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly. It was the Manchester United attacking midfielder who liberated Wembley on the hour mark, with a superb right lob following an equally sublime through pass from Keira Walsh (1-0, 62nd). When we thought the trophy was definitely English, Lina Magull equalized a quarter of an hour later, with a nice flat left foot in the ceiling of Earps’ goal (1-1, 79th).

However, in the middle of an extension where the two teams appeared very tired, Chloe Kelly, on a corner from Lauren Hemp, forced the decision from close, with the right foot in front of a dumbfounded Merle Frohms (2-1, 110th). A goal celebrated as it should be with his audience. Manchester City midfielder Jill Scott (35), who was present during the heavy defeat in the final on Finnish soil in 2009 (2-6), and her teammates can be jubilant: England won their first major trophy in women’s football, in its lair of Wembley and this famous first important trophy in English football since 1966. This time, soccer come home.