Queen congratulates England women’s soccer team for win against Germany

England has won its first European women’s soccer championship, beating eight time champ Germany, and the Queen hailed the “significant achievement.”

The Queen has sent England’s women’s soccer team, the Lionesses, her “warmest congratulations”, adding that the trophy had been “so deservedly earned”.

Her Majesty, who travelled to Balmoral castle yesterday for a summer getaway, said: “You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations.”

Prince William presented the trophy to the Lionesses and congratulated the team. The Duke of Cambridge is President of England’s Football Association.

Beth Mead of England shakes hands with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge following the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

It comes as England’s team won a major women’s tournament for the first time in front of a record crowd, beating Germany 2-1.

In front of a crowd of 87,192, which is a record for any match in the history of the European Championships, Chloe Kelly prodded home a loose ball from close range to claim the winning point and end English football’s 56-year wait for a World Cup or Euro victory.

England fans show their support after the 2-1 win during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

England looked set for victory in the 90 minutes when substitute Ella Toone’s sublime chip over Merle Frohms put the hosts in front.

Germany showed remarkable resilience to bounce back as Lina Magull levelled 11 minutes from time.

But for once, England were not to be denied a major tournament success. Kelly fought back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear to be fit in time for the tournament and made herself a national hero by being in the right place to pounce when Germany failed to clear a corner in the 110th minute.

Germany lost their captain and top goalscorer Alexandra Popp to a muscle injury in the warm-up.

Lauren Hemp of England celebrates with Alex Greenwood after the final whistle of the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Despite losing their major goal threat and facing the intimidating atmosphere of a full Wembley waiting to party, Germany showed remarkable resilience.

England were saved by desperate defending from a combination of Mary Earps, Leah Williamson and Millie Bright then prevented Marina Hegering from turning in a corner.

Wiegman did not make a change to the England starting line-up throughout the whole tournament as she resisted the clamour for Alessia Russo to start ahead of Ellen White up front.

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, Head Coach of Germany, shakes hands with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, following the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

The German attack was further blunted by Magull’s withdrawal at the end of 90 minutes due to a knock and both sides felt the pace of a physical encounter in the extra 30 minutes.

England just had enough left in the tank to finally get the job done as Germany failed to deal with the second ball from a corner and Kelly’s telescopic right leg flicked the ball home.

Chloe Kelly said this was “what dreams are made of” after scoring the winning goal as England beat Germany 2-1 in the Euro 2022 final on Sunday Kelly struck in extra time after Germany’s Lina Magull levelled 11 minutes from the end of 90 minutes.

England's striker Chloe Kelly celebrates after scoring her team second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final football match between England and Germany. Picture: AFP

Substitute Ella Toone’s sublime chip, in front of a record crowd for any European Championships match of 87,192 at Wembley, had put England in front.

Victory gave the England women a first major trophy and came just over 56 years to the day since the England men defeated the then West Germany to win the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley – the only other occasion when England have won one of football’s leading international tournaments.

England's midfielder Ella Toone celebrates after scoring her team first goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final football match between England and Germany. Picture: AFP

Having fought back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear to be fit in time for the tournament, Kelly pounced when Germany failed to clear a corner in the 110th minute.

“It’s amazing, thank you everyone, this is what dreams are made of as a young girl watching women’s football,” Kelly told the BBC. “Wow, this is unbelievable.”

England's striker Chloe Kelly takes off her shirt as she celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022. Picture: AFP

She added: “Thank you for everyone who played a part in my rehab. I always believed I’d be here, but to be here and score the winner, wow. These girls are amazing.” This result meant England manager Sarina Wiegman had won back-to-back European Championships after guiding her native Netherlands to the 2017 title.

“We won the cup,” said Wiegman. “It is unbelievable. It is incredible. “If you really want to win and become better every single day, that is what I have noticed and it is incredible, they (the England squad) want to do it together.” Wiegman added: “We agreed on a couple of things about behaviour and they weren’t just words, we lived it.

“The game was so tight, there was a little bit of fight in there, but who cares, we won 2-1. We are European champions.”