History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

But a new star is forming among the Lioness ranks
WINNING TOONE History-making Lioness Ella Toone star for biggest stage now she's ready to deliver for England again in Euro 2025 final
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ELLA TOONE has become the woman for the grandest of stages — and is ready to deliver for England again.
The Lionesses star has scored at every World Cup or Euros she has taken part in.
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Ella Toone is ready for England to deliver the trophy in the Euro 2025 final
Credit: Reuters
Her goal in the 2023 World Cup last-four clash against Australia saw her become the first English player — male or female — to net in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of major tournaments.
One of those goals came in the Spain last-eight tie at the Euros three years ago — and she wants to repeat that trick in Sunday's final.
Toone, 25, also netted in the Finalissima against Brazil — where the European and South American champions face off — and scored an FA Cup final stunner for her club Manchester United last year.
She has bagged in this Euros as well, in the 6-1 win over Wales in the group stage.
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Asked about her big-stage pedigree, Toone said: 'It's not bad that, is it?
'I feel like I prepare properly for every game and I've had chances in the finals to put the ball in the back of the net and that's what I've done.
'I try not to think too much about that or put any pressure on it.
'I just go out there and do what I can for the team and give my everything, and if a chance falls to me then hopefully I can put it in the back of the net.
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Toone was used to starring from the bench when the Lionesses last won the Euros
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'It's just about doing my job, on and off the ball, making things happen, creating chances for other people and hopefully there's a chance, like I have in previous finals.'
Three years ago, as the Lionesses stormed to home Euros success, Toone was one of those making an incredible impact from the bench.
Now, Arsenal star Michelle Agyemang is England's super sub.
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The striker, 19, saved her side in the quarter-final with Sweden and the last-four win over Italy.
Having hardly played or netted in club football last season, she has become a phenomenon on the international stage and will return home to a new level of fame.
That is something Toone, now an established starter, went through in 2022 and the Northern lass had some left-field advice for Agyemang.
Toone said: 'She might get papped eating a pasty like I did! I'll have to warn her about that.
'Michelle is mad, I would think that she's about 30 years old, she's so mature, she's so humble and she's come into this tournament with freedom and not a worry, not a care.
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Michelle Agyemang has scored two late equalisers to send England to extra-time in their quarter-final and semi-final
Credit: Getty
'She's just gone out there and done what's been asked of her and she's been amazing for us. She's turned up in big moments when we've needed her and she's got a lot of talent and she can do a lot of things that not many players can do.
'Even when she has scored and kept us in games, she's been the same Michelle. I'm absolutely buzzing for her.'
The Lionesses have shown their mettle to come back from the brink in Switzerland.
While the players have discussed their 'proper England' performances, Toone revealed there have been some incredibly motivational moments from manager Sarina Wiegman.
The Dutchwoman guided a team to a final for a fifth straight tournament after winning the 2017 Euros with her native Holland and reaching the 2019 World Cup showpiece.
Toone added: 'She's done a few good speeches this camp, I'll give it to her. We had a good one before the Italy game the night before, one that definitely stood out.
'Even though sometimes we have gone a goal down, you still remember the words that she said before the game and it makes you want to go out and put on a performance for the second half as well.
'No matter what Sarina says, you listen because she's reached five major tournament finals so she definitely knows what she's doing.'
Wiegman has created a family bond in the Lionesses camp, though there are plenty of parents, siblings and friends here in Switzerland.
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Sarina Wiegman became the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five international tournament finals in a row
That group enjoyed a pub crawl through Zurich on Friday afternoon, away from the squad, before everyone headed off to Basel for the final.
One picture of the families wildly celebrating Agyemang's goal against Italy was shared among the players.
It is a scene they are intent on recreating.
Toone added: 'It was a nice picture to see, we've sent them on a rollercoaster this tournament and it's nice to see things like that.
'Hopefully we can kick on in this last game and make it a tournament they can remember, too.'