Sarina Wiegman's three-word conclusion says it all after Lionesses' Euro 2025 success
Sarina Wiegman could only conclude that 'football is chaos' after her England team's dramatic Euro 2025 triumph. The Lionesses led for barely a minute during the entire knockout stages in Switzerland, but that didn't matter as they came from behind time after time.
'I just can't believe it, but I have a medal around my neck and we have a trophy,' Wiegman said. 'It has been the most chaotic tournament on the pitch – all the challenges we had on the pitch against our opponents.
'From the first game it was chaos. Losing your first game and becoming European Champions is incredible. Football is chaos.'
After losing that opener against France, England needed wins against the Netherlands and Wales just to reach the knockout stages. There, they came from behind to beat Sweden on penalties and Italy in extra-time. The final against Spain also went to penalties, after Lionesses star Alessia Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's first-half opener.
And Wiegman hailed the collective spirit of her side as goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two Spanish penalties before Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot-kick.
'I can't believe it. The word 'team' really described who we are – a team,' the manager said after her players defended their Euros crown. 'We said we can win by any means and that's what we have shown again today. I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible.'
It was Spain who came out on top against England in the 2023 World Cup final, but Wiegman's team got their revenge at St Jakob-Park And it was a third straight Euros for manager Wiegman after her 2022 triumph with England and a 2017 success in charge of the Netherlands.
England hero Hampton was so caught up in the moment that she had to check with fans to be certain Kelly's penalty would win it.
'When Chloe stepped up I turned around to the fans, miming a kick and trying to ask if we score do we win, I'd completely lost track,' she said.
'They were just cheering at me so I didn't know what the answer was, but then I saw that run up and that was it, we've won. I can't believe it.'
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