Arsenal quartet Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris and Lotte Wubben-Moy are celebrating victory in the European Championships after England beat Germany 2-1 in the final at Wembley.
Roared on by a crowd of 87,192, the Lionesses secured the win thanks to Chloe Kelly’s close-range strike in the second period of extra time.
Sarina Wiegman’s side had taken the lead just past the hour mark thanks to substitute Ella Toone’s perfect lob but they were pegged back with 11 minutes remaining of normal time when Lina Magull found the roof of the net from a tight angle.
The final was billed as a showdown between the tournament’s two best-performing sides but it was far from a free-flowing encounter. Large swathes of the match were scrappy and the entire 120 minutes was riddled with niggly fouls.
Amidst the tension, captain Williamson remained a composed figure, marshalling those in front of her and mopping up the danger, including, at one point, from on her own goal line.
Mead, who ended the tournament as top scorer and was named the player of the tournament award, mostly fed off scraps as Germany strangled England’s playmakers. She did create a decent chance for Ellen White in the first half but was substituted after England’s opener not long after taking a knock. It certainly didn’t take the shine off her efforts in the last month.
Nikita Parris’ late introduction helped waste vital seconds before the referee signalled the end of England’s long wait for a major international honour.
Williamson was in floods of tears at the full time whistle but she soon found her voice.
Reflecting on the victory she told the BBC: “We talk and we talk and we talk and we’ve finally done it. The kids are alright. It’s the proudest moment of my life until the day I have kids so I’m going to lap it up.
“I was told to make every second count because I’ll be living it over and over, and I did that today. The legacy of this tournament is the change in society. We’ve brought people together and got them to games. This is the start of the journey.
“Sorry I’m screaming but I love every one of you. I’m so proud to be English and I’m trying so hard not to swear.”
Congratulations girls, the Arsenal family is very proud.
It would be remiss not to point out that teammate Rafaelle Souza has also tasted success on the international stage. She captained Brazil as they beat Colombia 1-0 in the final of the Copa America.
Not a bad day for the @Stillberto clan!
Let’s keep supporting.
Let’s keep attending.
Let’s keep showing love to these INCREDIBLE athletes.
Buy your NLD tickets today ❤️ https://t.co/utH4Jo5GJ6
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) July 31, 2022
Fantastic, well done to them! Great results! No losses in 19 matches!
And no S**rs players playing in that team and getting a trophy…
Congratulations to the ladies! An awesome result 👏👏👏
Also the secret to Engalnd winning a major tournament has been revealed:
– Make an Arsenal player the captain
– Play Arsenal player on the right wing (to become the top scorer)
– And most importantly No Spu*s player.
Gareth Southgate, pay atrention!
Plus: Include one Arsenal player with a double barreled surname.
Also, as some in my household suggest, a bit controversial to be sure: Don’t let it get to penalties
Absolutely made up for them, what celebrations, and well done Weighty on tv having a pop at the people who decide when games are played, you are the man. Well done all😀
Weighty? 🤣
*Wrighty ffs, poxy auto correct
Congrats to the Arsenal ladies. Congrats to England.
Congrats captain Leah, golden boot winner Beth, and the other ladies. On to the world cup.
Great write up.
Well done ladies.
The missus and my daughters have taken the roof off the house – but it’s great to finally be able to see England win something!!
Fantastic stuff – not least from the Arsenal girls.
Proud of you.
🏆⚽️🏴
And here’s to you, Leah Williamson,
Arsenal loves you more than you will know
Whoa, whoa, whoa
God bless you, please, Leah Williamson
Heaven holds a place for those who play
Hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey
Well played all the girls!
Love it!
BRILLIANT!!
We need to make that an anthem and sing it every time she steps on the pitch 👏👏
Great game and a showpiece for the women’s sport – it should be an exciting inspiration for future generations.
It was heartwarming to see photos of a young Leah Williamson with Kelly Smith and Theo Walcott – players that inspired her. I’m proud of the major role Arsenal has had in the women’s game and I also hope that the club continues to associate itself with players and staff who are ambassadors promoting and protecting the rights of women.
Hear, hear! Double thumbs up!
Great game and a showpiece for the women’s sport – it should be an inspiration for future generations. It was heartwarming to see photos of a young Leah Williamson with Kelly Smith and Theo Walcott – players that inspired her. I’m proud of the major role Arsenal has had in the development of the women’s game .
Such a massive moment. Absolutely awesome. Well done!!!
Great showpiece for the women’s sport and hopefully an inspiration to many. Proud of the impact Arsenal has had on the women’s game over many years.
*Holds up badly drawn placard
“Leah can I please have your Shorts!”… 🤣🤣
❤ Leah Williamson
– Arsenal Homegrown
– England Lionesses Captain
– Cool as cucumber
– One of the standout player of the Tournament
A great result and for Serina to create a team that really worked together and supported one another throughout the tournament is outstanding. Leah and Beth were superb and my only worry is whether Arsenal will be able to afford them when their contracts come up for renewal !
😄😄 😥
So happy to see Beth get the recognition she deserves for her hard work and the massive improvement in her game.
Women’s football is better than MLS!
Congrats ladies, great game to watch, amazing atmosphere.