England claims first major title
LONDON: An extratime strike from forward Chloe Kelly gave England a 21 win over Germany in the Women’s Euro final yesterday to claim its first major title in front of a record crowd on home soil.
Substitute Kelly reacted rapidly to a loose ball from a corner in the second period of extra time to give her side the win and avenge its defeat by Germany in the 2009 Euro final in Helsinki.
England coach Sarina Wiegman became the first manager to win the Euros — men’s or women’s — with two different nations having led her native Netherlands to the title in 2017. She was appointed England boss in September last year and the side has not lost since.
‘‘I just can’t stop crying. We talk, we talk and we talk and we finally done it. You know what, the kids are all right. This is the proudest moment of my life,’’ England captain Leah Williamson said pitchside.
‘‘Listen, the legacy of this tournament is the change in society. The legacy of this team is winners and that is the journey. I love every single one of you, I’m so proud to be English. I’m trying so hard not to swear.’’
On an unforgettable day for England, the home side opened the scoring in the 62nd minute through forward Ella Toone in front of a sellout crowd at Wembley Stadium, the 87,192 attendance a record for a Uefa tournament, men’s or women’s.
Substitute Lina Magull brought Germany back into the game to send it to extra time but Kelly popped up at the right time to clinch it for England and send the home fans wild.
Germany suffered a blow in the warmup as striker Alexandra Popp, who had scored six goals in five games in her debut Euros, suffered a muscle injury and had to pull out of the lineup and was replaced by Lea Schuller.
Martina VossTecklenburg’s side missed Popp’s presence in the box but it was a heavily physical encounter that produced a goalless first half.
Toone opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark with a beautiful chipped finish, moments after coming on as a substitute.
However, that was cancelled out by Magull who fired in an equaliser from close range 17 minutes later after the home team had been pushed back by its opponent.
The match finished 11 after 90 minutes to take it into extra time where the atmosphere died down a little as the thought of Germany winning a recordextending ninth Euros crown at the home of English football began to permeate.
That was until the 110th minute when Kelly, who had moments before urged the crowd to raise their voices and cheer the side on, stabbed in the winner and inflicted Germany’s first defeat in a major final.
‘‘It doesn’t seem real. I’m buzzing my head off. Honestly the best moment of my career, best moment of my life. I’m so proud to be a part of this group,’’ Toone said.
England’s Beth Mead won the player of the tournament award for her six goals and five assists, helping her side score a record 22 times during the tournament. — Reuters