At the end of the Euro 2022, women’s football will never be the same
Women’s football will never be the same: England has been singing about football coming home for a long time, but after years of nothing, it finally came through the door and into the arms of a happy Wembley as the Lionesses were crowned European champions. Just looking at the numbers, they beat their old rivals and eight-time European champions Germany 2-1 in extra time. Even though it sounds simple, their win was a big deal for women’s football and the sport as a whole because of what was going on around them.
What happened that evening?
At 7:51 p.m. in the evening sunshine of Wembley, the outstanding captain Leah Williamson lifted that precious piece of silverware above her head, and it all felt, looked, and sounded real. The beautiful England Lionesses won the Euro 2022 tournament and now have a place in history. The women of England had won their first big trophy. It had been 56 years since England’s top football team had won a major trophy.
On the day that Wembley was packed with 87,192 people, which was a Uefa tournament record, coach Sarina Wiegman and her players made history.
The English Women
The focus was on the women of England. They are the Winners, and no one will ever be able to take this from them. Finally, the years of sadness were over. England’s football finally had a success story to tell—a winning story—and no one deserved it more than the coach and team. They have completely changed the way women’s football is played in this country over the past month with a flawless, well-managed Euro 2022 campaign.
The key contributors
Ella Toone’s great lofted finish from Keira Walsh’s perfect pass gave England the lead just after the hour mark. However, the dangerous Germans deservedly tied the game 11 minutes later when the dangerous Lina Magull clipped in the equalizer at the near post after Alexandra Popp got hurt in the warm-up.
They went into extra time, and as penalties looked likely — and we all know how painful that is for England — Kelly came out of a scrum at a corner to score the winning goal. The chain of events that followed will be etched in everyone’s heart and memory forever. It was like Brandi Chastain’s big break.
Wiegman, who is quiet and careful in the technical area, was all smiles as she joined in the celebrations. She did what the Football Association hired her to do after the Netherlands won the trophy at a home tournament five years ago.
The Wiegman supremacy
Wiegman was hired to help England win after they lost three semi-finals in a row. Job done. She has always had a cool, calm, and in charge air about her. Wiegman kept the same team for six games, and even though some people think Alessia Russo should have started before Ellen White, Wiegman has a big silver trophy to show for it.
This was the gold star for England’s Lionesses, who had an unforgettable Euro 2022. But, in the best way, women’s football will never be the same again. As Wiegman left the scene of England’s victory, she said, “We changed society.”