They showed the star men how they can do it as football finally returned yesterday – 56 years after we won the World Cup in 1966 – in a 2-1 extra-time victory over old rivals Germany at a sold-out Wembley. 13 England’s Lionesses roar with pride as they celebrate their history-making Euro 2022 triumphCredit: Getty 13 They showed the star men how to do it as football finally returned home yesterday in a 2-1 extra-time win over old rivals Germany at a sold-out WembleyCredit: AFP 13 Substitute Chloe Kelly fired the Lionesses to glory — and tore off her shirt to celebrate as the nation erupted in joyCredit: AP The Queen hailed the group as an “inspiration”. Substitute Chloe Kelly fired the Lionesses to glory – and tore off her top to celebrate as the nation erupted in joy. Soccer has finally come home — 56 years after the men’s 1966 World Cup triumph. Chloe’s strike sealed a 2-1 extra-time triumph against old rivals Germany after a titanic battle at Wembley. But it was the 24-year-old striker’s wild celebration of her historic strike that will be remembered. Manchester City star Chloe screamed as she walked away towards the touchline in her white sports bra – and was promptly booked. But none of the record-breaking crowd cared at all as minutes later the final whistle blew for an epic victory. An ecstatic Chloe then said in a TV interview: ‘Oh my God. It’s amazing, honestly. “Thank you to every single person who came out to support us. This is unreal.” She then ran back to her team-mates singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ — taking the BBC microphone with her. He later added: “This is what dreams are made of. To be here and score the winner, wow. . . these girls are special. What a special group of staff. This is awesome. “I just want to celebrate now.” The Queen led the tributes to the triumphant team, sending her ‘warmest congratulations’ He said: “It is a major achievement for the whole team, including the support staff. The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise. “However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you so deservedly won. You have all set an example that will be an inspiration to girls and women today and generations to come. “I hope you are as proud of the impact you had on your sport as you are of the result today.” Prince William – who watched the match from the Royal Box – presented the trophy to the Lionesses. Earlier he had sent them a good luck message with Princess Charlotte’s daughter. After the match, the Duke of Cambridge tweeted: “An incredible win @Lions and the whole nation couldn’t be prouder of you all. Great to see history being made tonight at Wembley, congratulations! W More than 87,200 fans packed the world’s biggest football stage — the largest crowd for any men’s or women’s Euro final. I hope you are as proud of the impact you had on your sport as you are of the result today. The Queen The Lionesses were also roared on by 19.5 million viewers in homes and pubs across the country. England’s top scorer Ella Toone shouted into the TV microphone: “He’s home!” “Honestly — the best time of my life, the best time of my life. . . always! I am absolutely on top of the world. I’m so proud to do it with these girls.” England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman appeared close to tears as she said: “We won the cup — you said we brought the football home, but we won the cup. It’s unbelievable, it’s unbelievable. “They were so tight with Germany. . . who cares, we won 2-1 and are champions of Europe. “Now I’m going to take some nice pictures – the trophy is heavy!” Sarina had managed to beat the Netherlands in the previous Women’s Euro 2017 final. A deafening chorus of Football’s Coming Home was sung in the rafters at the final whistle, followed by the younger fans’ anthems – Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and Depeche Mode’s Just Can’t Get Enough. The stadium erupted again as England captain Leah Williamson lifted the silverware amid an explosion of confetti. An emotional Leah said: “I can’t stop crying. With something like this we talk and talk and talk and finally we succeeded”. The delirious group then went on a flag-draped lap of honour, laughing uproariously as they glided towards the fans on the confetti-strewn turf. England players later stormed into Sarina’s press conference to sing Football’s Coming Home. They bounced around the table as their team boss laughed and clapped along. England had taken the lead on 68 minutes of a hard-fought battle against the Germans thanks to a brilliant lobbed goal by Ella Toon. We won the cup — you said we brought the football home, but we won the cup. It’s unbelievable, it’s unbelievable. England coach Sarina Wigman But they were knocked out with just ten minutes remaining by Lina Magull’s equaliser. It led to half an hour of extra time but the girls somehow found the trick to score the winning goal. England men’s skipper Harry Kane was among the stars at the big match, which also included Spice Girls Geri Horner and Mel C and Christine McGuinness. Former captain David Beckham and his daughter Harper, 11, had sent a ‘good luck video’ beforehand. Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeted afterwards: “The @Lions just went and did it, and Kelly is England’s heroine, not a bra.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the team for creating “a summer of fantastic memories for millions”. He added that the stadiums and playgrounds will be “filled like never before with girls and women who know beyond a shadow of a doubt that football is not just for boys.” Sarina’s Lionesses were favorites ahead of the big game after roaring into Wembley on the back of a 19-game unbeaten run in which they scored 104 goals and conceded just four. The 4-0 semi-final win over long-awaited Sweden – capped by Alessia Russo’s stunning back-heel goal – sparked a wave of football fever across the country. Germany are the most successful team in the competition’s history with eight finals wins — and before kick-off, they had lost just one of their last six meetings with England. The Lionesses last Euro final against them ended in a crushing 6-2 defeat in Helsinki in 2009. English and German fans happily mingled ahead of yesterday’s game with no reports of trouble – unlike last year’s disgraceful scenes at the men’s delayed Euro 2020 final at the same venue. Crazy saleswoman Paris Cooper, 32, from Portsmouth, Hants, said: “It’s fantastic that it was women and not men who finally ended 56 years of hurting England. “Let’s hope our men can play half as well at the World Cup in Qatar.” Nurse Dionne Carroll, 44, from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: “I’ve never been to a football match before today — but thanks to the Lionesses, I’ll be back!” 13 Chloe Kelly and Jill Scott erupted in joy as England restored their lead in extra time Credit: AP 13 Prince William hugged captain Leah Williamson after the final whistleCredit: Getty 13 Williamson posed with the trophy after lifting it in front of the jubilant Wembley crowdCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun 13 Lucy Bronze and Mary Earps danced on the press conference table when the England team interrupted manager Sarina Wiegman’s post-match press conferenceCredit: Getty 13 Sarina posed with the trophy on the pitch with her gold medal around her neckCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun 13 The Duke of Cambridge and daughter Charlotte wished the team well ahead of the match 13 David Beckham and daughter Harper also wished them wellCredit: instagram 13 Boris Johnson tweeted a photo of himself, son Wilfred and daughter Romy watching the matchCredit: Unknown, cleaned up with photo agency 13 Geri Horner and Mel C were in attendance at Wembley 13 As was Christine McGuinnessCredit: Eroteme
