Picture Credit: Twitter
England's Euro 2022 final against Germany at Wembley created a new record for the highest attended match at either a men's or women's European Championship on Sunday. Around 87,192 people were present at the Wembley Stadium as the Lionesses ended their major trophy drought of 56 years.
Attendances across the 2022 Euros in England have massively multiplied in comparison to the last women's European Championship five years ago. England's 1-0 win over Austria in the opening game of the tournament saw an attendance of 69,000 at Old Trafford, breaking the previous record for a women's Euro match of 41,000.
The highest ever attendance in the Euros, before this match, was during the men's European Nations' Cup Final match where Spain beat the Soviet Union in the 1964 final. The fixture was watched by around 79,115 in the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. The home team won the game 2-1.
Talking about the final, Elle Toone drew first blood with a magical chip goal as Keira Walsh sent out a through from behind the half line. Germany retaliated with Lina Magull’s clinical strike in the 74th minute.
With the game nearing its final moments, both teams missed several half chances as the score remained 1-1. Then after a 36-minute deadlock, England’s striker Kelly Chloe sealed the victory with a scrappy finish to help the Lionesses win their first major trophy in history.
After the finish, Chloe got extremely emotional and said, “Honestly, it's amazing. Thank you, everyone, that came out to support us, this is what dreams are made of. As a young girl watching women's football now this, wow it is unbelievable.”
The Manchester City star then thanked her friends and family for providing additional support as she recovering from injury before the tournament. “Thank you to everyone who played a part in my rehab because I always believed that I would be here,” she added. “But to be here and score the winner, wow. “
“These girls are special, the manager is special and what a special group of staff. This is amazing. All my family, my mum, all my brothers, my sister, all my nephews, everyone. Honestly, this is amazing I just want to celebrate now.”