England 2 - 1 Germany: Lionesses win Euro 2022 final in extra time

England’s Lionesses were the pride of Britain tonight after Chloe Kelly fired them into the history books after beating Germany at the Euros 2022 final 2-1.

It had been a tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, watched by Prince William in the crowd.

But the introduction of Ella Toone looked to have settled it after she broke to fizz a shot past helpless German keeper Merle Frohms watched by a record 87,192 in the stadium.

But there was heartbreak minutes later as Magull worked her way into position to equalise, devastating England fans across the country.

With only ten minutes left, the game was left balancing on a knife edge with the ultimate prize at stake.

The stalemate could not be broken, going into another agonising 30 more minutes of extra time which at first had produced nothing more.

But Kelly was not about to let the game go to penalties and picked the biggest stage in the world to produce her first ever international goal.

She dominated German keeper Frohms to propel England to a 2-1 lead and set the game beyond any doubt.

Her sheer joy saw her rip her jersey off and wave it round her head – and get a yellow card for her trouble.

Kelly said after the match: 'Oh my God - look at them. It's amazing! This is unreal!'

She then abandoned the post-match interview to sing Sweet Caroline with her teammates. 

When she returned she said: 'This is what dreams are made of, as a young girl watching women's football to this - it's amazing. These girls are special.' 

It had been almost the perfect start for England as Fran Kirby found Ellen White but she headed it straight to Frohms in the first few moments of the match.

Later England put Germany under extreme pressure in the 18th minute after a series of corners threatened on goal, with Lucy Bronze's shot nearly squeezing past Frohms.

The Lionesses had peppered her goal with chances throughout the first half and fans may have been forgiven for wondering how they were not at least 2-0 up.

But Germany were not without their own threat, with one effort prompting a desperate goalmouth scramble to deny them a goal.

Dozens of ticketless fans were watching the match on their phones outside Wembley Stadium.

Supporters entering the stadium before 5pm had been largely positive and calm, with very little trouble for police.

However, those without tickets were still in the area after kick-off, opting to watch the match in nearby pubs or on their phones.

Craig Stephens, 58, and his wife Julie, 54, from Twickenham, south-west London, said: 'We just wanted to be around Wembley while the game was on, it really is historic.

'We're really excited and hope England can do well, but we know that Germany has been a dangerous opponent in the past.'

This morning the Lionesses' two biggest Royal fans had wished them luck and the future king was even there in person to cheer them from the stands.

The Duke of Cambridge posted a video to his official Twitter account this morning in which he and Charlotte shared their support for the Lionesses.

'We both want to wish the lionesses the best of luck tonight, you've done amazingly well in the competition and we're rooting for you all the way!' Will exclaimed, before Charlotte chipped in: 'Good luck, I hope you win. Bye!'

As the game got underway Prime Minister Boris Johnson showed he was tuning in with Romy and Wilfred with a post on Twitter. 

Tens of thousands of fans had been seen around Wembley Stadium hours before the women's Euros final as the nation prepared for tonight. 

Supporters turned out in force to cheer on the Lionesses by flying England flags, painting their faces red and white and donning Team shirts to cheer on the players as they prepared to face Germany at 5pm. 

Excitement was seen throughout the sea of England shirts and flags, blowing horns and clappers.

Many of those attending live and in pubs and bars and live screens set up across the country were in family groups, made up of young women and girls. 

Among the crowd was Emma Newman, 21, a student from Whitby, North Yorkshire, who said: 'It's a really nice atmosphere, people are just here to see the match and nothing else.

'It's right that fans aren't causing trouble, these women are inspiring and deserve to be supported properly. I just hope they can get the job done.' 

The Women's team qualified for their first Euros final since 2009 on Wednesday night, as they demolished Sweden 4-0 at Bramall Lane.

England, who have never won the tournament, played their first and last final at home in 1984.

Back then, some players' husbands were unable to join the crowd of 2,500 at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road ground because they could not afford the transport. 

The game only had halves of 35 minutes instead of 45 and a smaller ball than that played with by men was used. #

England fans outside Wembley Stadium have been getting louder ahead of the Euro 2022 final. Groups of young women were chanting 'It's coming home', with fans outside pubs and restaurants joining in.

Young children were also seen leading chants as parents followed close behind. A small scattering of police officers, some on horseback, watched fans in the area ahead of kick-off.

The nearby BoxPark was also packed and noisy, with a performance from pop group from S Club 7. Chelsea Women's football manager Emma Hayes was urging crowds to chant and cheer louder.

A mother and daughter who are attending the final at Wembley together said the England team's success has 'helped grow' women's football.

Childminder Helen Charlesworth, from Orpington, Kent, said her daughter Darcey, 22, had enjoyed football from the age of eight and started playing with boys as there were no girls' teams around.

She said: 'I'm feeling nervous but excited. When we got the tickets last year it was a dream that England would be in the final and now it's come true.

'To be at a home tournament is amazing. The team is so strong and there is a real team spirit about them.

'The fact that the women's game is growing is amazing. This tournament has definitely helped grow the game and support for it,' Ms Charlesworth added.

Up north, locals flocked into Newcastle's Central fan zone to watch the Women's England team take on Germany and were pictured in high spirits donning England shirts and flags.

Anna Benham, 30, an administrator from Newcastle said: 'I've watched every single game and I'm excited for the final. It's really great to see the support and how the country has got behind them.

'I've came into the centre because it's a fantastic atmosphere and we can all celebrate together when we win.'

Leah Harker, a 20-year-old sports science student from County Durham said: 'I'm really excited for the game, I've been following along the entire tournament. It's a really great atmosphere.

'We're going to bring it home today. It's great to see women's football leading the way and that people are getting behind it.

'It'll mean a lot to some people if the women can win the Euros after the men couldn't.'

Jake Brown, a 24-year-old engineer from Newcastle said: 'I watch every England game so I'm looking forward to the final.

'It'll be a really good result, I refuse to believe in defeat. It doesn't matter that it's women's football to me. It's football and it'll still be a good game.

'We came out last year for the men's final and it was a great day so today should also be great.'

Charlotte Glass, a 23-year-old stay at home mother from Newcastle said: 'I can't wait for the game.

'We came out to watch it with everyone else as it's so much better than watching it from home.

'We did something similar for the men's Euros last year and it was great. I really hope they win.

'If they do, more people will get into women's football which would be great to see. People are already supporting it more after their results this year.'