Historic triumph opens up a whole new era for women’s game in England

The last time England’s men lifted a major trophy, the 1966 World Cup, women were banned from playing competitive footballEngland players celebrate with the trophy following victory over Germany in the Women's Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium, London. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA Wire/PA ImagesEngland won. In the end, perhaps that was the only thing that mattered.

The first, an undying struggle for resources and respect, for parity and a platform, is finally complete. The second is a journey with no maps, no driver and no end in sight. This team is adored and revered in equal measure in England, relatable and humble but primarily athletes of the fiercest competitive quality. It is a team of many stars and none: tournament top scorer Beth Mead, goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Williamson, rising stars Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp – world-class in their positions but ultimately submitting their talent to the collective in the way of all great sides.

Once the usual pre-match superfluities had been dispensed with, a game of rare antagonism and ill-temper broke out, with flying challenges, bruising aerial tussles and a mutual grudge that felt too visceral to be confected. An hour in came perhaps the game’s only real moment of clarity. Keira Walsh played a delightful long ball into the stride of Toone, who opted for guile rather than power, lifting the ball in a delicate arc over Merle Frohms and into the net.

With 15 minutes remaining, Germany looked the fitter and better side. But as Hemp swung in a corner, for once the impregnable German set-piece machine developed a kink. Lucy Bronze won the header, Chloe Kelly of Manchester City swung at the loose ball and, at the second time of asking, scraped it desperately over the line: a goal of the utmost ugliness sparked wild celebrations.

English had to send girls to finally get it home 😂😂😂 Congrats to the ladies

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