england women celebrating winning the UEFA womens Euro 2022 on platform holding trophy

England’s Lionesses have made history today (31 July 2022) by breaking a world record with their 2-1 win against Germany in the UEFA Women’s European Championships final. 

After their semi-final victory of 4-0 against favourites Sweden on 26 July, the English side were only one goal away from tying the record of most goals scored at a UEFA Women’s European Championships by a team with Germany. Germany broke this record in 2009 with 21. 

In the greatly anticipated Euro 2022 final, England’s first goal, executed by 22-year-old super-sub Ella Toone, achieved the tie. Germany then equalized with a goal from Lina Magull. But when the third goal by Chloe Kelly, replacing Beth Mead, was turned into the net in the 111th minute, England claimed the outright title with 22. 

womens football euros england final line up posing on pitch

Golden Boot winner and Player of the Tournament winner Beth Mead also holds the record for the most goals scored at a UEFA Women’s European Championships by a football (soccer) player with six. She ties this record with Alexandra Popp (Germany) who achieved this record at the same tournament, and Inka Grings (Germany) who achieved it in 2009. Popp had to drop out of the Euro 2022 final at the last minute due to injury. 

It’s been an outstanding championship run for the England side, led by Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman, including an unforgettable win over Norway in the group stage of the competition at the Amex Stadium in Brighton.

Their 8-0 victory over the Scandinavian team saw them break yet another record for the highest margin of a victory in a UEFA Women’s European Championship Finals football (soccer) match. Goal-scorers included Georgia Stanway, Lauren Hemp, Ellen White and Alessio Russo, topped off with a hat-trick from record-breaker Mead. 

The success of the England women side was made even sweeter as their incredible Euros win is the first enjoyed by any senior England national side since the competition’s inception in 1984. In 2021 the men’s side made the Euro 2020 final but failed to clinch the title, losing a tense penalty shoot out against Italy following a 1-1 draw. England women have reached the final on two occasions, in 1984 and 2009. 

This UEFA Women's Championship win is also particularly significant as it is the first international competition win any senior England national side has enjoyed since 1966, when England men achieved a 4-2 victory over West Germany in the World Cup Final. 

With an unforgettable championship now rounded off with even more records, all eyes are on the future of this exciting England side, hotly anticipating what records the Lionesses will break next. 

For now though, England fans will be celebrating the fact that, after 56 years without a senior national side claiming a trophy at an international competition, football has finally "come home".