England’s Lionesses defeated Germany in overtime to win their first European Championship on Sunday night at a sold-out Wembley Stadium.

Chloe Kelly was her country’s heroine, scoring her first international goal from close range in the 110th minute after a Lauren Hemp corner to send Wembley into raptures. The poacher’s strike came after a fierce end to the match and the first half of extra time, after Lina Magull equalized after Ella Toone’s goal.

Manchester United striker Toone came on from the substitutes’ bench at the start of the second half and gave the hosts the lead in the 62nd minute after a superb pass from Keira Walsh, easing the pressure after a period of German dominance.

But the visitors – who had never lost a Euro final before going to Wembley – responded well to the defeat, and Magull was on hand to finish at the near post, eventually beating the tireless Mary Earps to bring the game into overtime.

Eight-time European champions Germany were dealt a blow just before the start of the match, as Alexandra Popp suffered an injury during warm-up and it was the hosts who started the better, with Ellen White testing Merle Frohms with a sudden shot. White had another opportunity in a tense first half that featured many controversial refereeing decisions, but she could only score after Beth Mead found her in the area.

Germany came out of the tunnel for the second half, and England goalkeeper Earps had to make some great plays to keep the scoreless. Sarina Wiegman, as she had done throughout the tournament, introduced Alessia Russo and Toone to the field, and it was the latter who broke the deadlock.

Magull’s equalizer felt like a sucker punch for the hosts, but another substitute made the difference, as Kelly found the net with 10 minutes to go, then drove off in jubilant celebration.

Here are six highlights from the thrilling Euro 2022 final at Wembley Stadium.

England starts well after Popp’s cruel blow

Germany had bitter news before the start of the match, as Alexandra Popp suffered a muscle injury during the warm-up and had to be replaced by Lea Schuller in the starting eleven. Popp had scored in every game before the final, and no doubt England’s defenders were relieved that they would not have to hold back the prolific Wolfsburg striker.

Buoyed by this news and the intense atmosphere at Wembley, the Lionesses started with their tails up and could have taken the lead after just three minutes of play. Ellen White found herself on the end of Fran Kirby and forced Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms to defend first.

A minute later it was Beth Mead’s turn, who took advantage of a great pass from Keira Walsh and forced another intervention from goalkeeper Frohms as she looked to deflect the ball off the sideline.

Hosts frustrated by 50-50 talks

For all of England’s intent in the early stages, the mood at Wembley became frustrated midway through the first half after several marginal decisions that went against the Lionesses. Georgia Stanway was penalized with a yellow card after a late tackle in the middle of the field that was unlike many others that have been committed, causing a storm at Wembley and an angry reaction from Sarina Wiegman.

Ellen White soon followed in her teammate’s footsteps and was punished for her disobedience, as the hosts began to lose the composure that Wiegman had instilled in them. Germany almost capitalized from a corner and England had to thank captain Leah Williamson for a crucial goal-line clearance before Mary Earps smothered the ball.

There was no shortage of individual brilliance in attack either, with Lauren Hemp performing a brilliant pirouette on the half court line, leaving two German players behind. But England lacked the fluidity and sharp play they showed against Sweden in the 4-0 semifinal win.

White wastes her chance

England’s best opportunity in the first half came late on and fell at the feet of Ellen White, and many expected the volley to go wide after her combination with Beth Mead. After releasing the Arsenal player down the right flank, White received the ball in the penalty area after cutting back, but she deflected back and hit a first-time shot over the crossbar.

The chance was created by intense pressing and a desire to get the ball back in the German third, while also serving as a warning to the visitors about the threat England poses in the wide zone thanks to Mead on the right and Lauren Hemp on the left.

Meanwhile, concerns grew for Georgia Stanway, after Bayern Munich’s new playmaker was penalized for another hard hit. It seemed only a matter of time before Sarina Wiegman replaced her in the middle of the field to avoid the threat of a second yellow card.

Earps thwarts Germany

While England came storming out of the blocks in the first half, it was Germany that threatened most immediately after the break. Mary Earps, who stood confidently at the post throughout, had to save herself by having the ball knocked out by substitute Tabea Wassmuth from a close angle after a misunderstanding between Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze.

In the 50th minute, the Lionesses had another slip-up when a deflected ball went to Lina Magull, who shot point-blank. Sarina Wiegman, who stuck to her starting eleven, responded to the German women’s onslaught with a familiar strategy, calling on Alessia Russo to enter the field.

The Manchester United player entered behind Ellen White in the 56th minute as part of a double chance in which Ella Toone replaced Fran Kirby. Meanwhile, Germany continued to create chances for itself, with Earps quickly leaving the defensive line to smother the ball as Lea Schuller pressed for a goal.

Toone proves herself

While England came storming out of the blocks in the first half, it was Germany who threatened most immediately after the interval. Mary Earps – who was an assured presence between the posts throughout – was forced into a save to deny half-time substitute Tabea Wassmuth from a tight angle following a miscommunication involving Millie Bright and Lucy Bronze.

The Lionesses had another let-off in the 50th minute as a bouncing ball fell to Lina Magull, who volleyed narrowly wide. Having stuck by her regular starting XI, Sarina Wiegman responded to the German pressure with a familiar strategy, calling on Alessia Russo to get ready to come on.

The Manchester United forward came on for Ellen White in the 56th minute as part of a double chance which also saw Ella Toone replace Fran Kirby. Meanwhile, Germany continued to create chances and Earps was off her line quickly to smother the ball as Lea Schuller bore down on goal.

Toone comes up trumps

On the biggest stage of them all, Ella Toone summoned a finish worthy of the occasion to inspire England to victory over their old foe. The 22-year-old showed incredible speed to get on the end of a long ball from Keira Walsh, before deftly lifting the ball over Merle Frohms to spark a huge celebration among the Lionesses and their legion of fans.

However, the goal provided only a temporary respite from the pressing women in dark green, and in the 79th minute Germany retaliated with Lina Magull, who ran to the near post and fired home from Tabea Wassmuth’s beautiful centering pass.

Neither side could find a winner in the final minutes, leading to a nervy extra 30 minutes.

Kelly scores the winning goal

Overtime is often fierce, and it was no different in the Euro 2022 final, where two increasingly weakened teams were no match, despite Sarina Wiegman and her opponent Martina Voss-Tecklenburg making changes.

Tempers began to flare, and Jill Scott was embroiled after a weak challenge from Sydney Lohmann. However, one sniff of goal by Chloe Kelly was enough to make the difference for the Lionesses.

After a corner kick fell to her near the penalty area, she hit the goal and scored the winning goal in a match that will long be remembered, ending her country’s wait for a taste of success at a major tournament.