Mentality Monsters Make History

Sometimes a game is so drenched in history that even those who hate the sport with a passion are compelled to watch it, tonight was such a game.

My entire extended family was watching as The Defending Champions battled The World Champions for the European Championship 2025 Title in Basel.

2 years ago England fell at the final hurdle, seeing Spain swan out of Sydney with the World Cup Champion’s Trophy and with 8 of the team that started that day lining up at kick-off, against 6 of the same Spaniards, the hunger for revenge will have been strong.

Unfortunately for the Lionesses things started out like a case of Deja Vu as once again Spain took the lead with just over 20 minutes gone, Mariona Caldentey rising highest unmarked to head home from point blank range.

Unlike 2023 though, this England team don’t know when they’re beaten and having trailed in both knockout games till the final throws of normal time before coming back to win, it’s fair to say that this time the comeback felt inevitable.

The scorer of the first comeback goal in the round of 16 conquering of Sweden was right back Lucy Bronze who scored the decisive penalty in that shoot-out with a fractured tibia, an injury she had been playing with throughout the tournament till a knee issue in the other leg forced her off in the 106th minute of the final.

With mentality monsters like that in your team the rest of the world doesn’t stand a chance, Bert Trautmann would have been proud.

The introduction of Chloe Kelly, in place of the injured Lauren James, just before half-time added some much needed energy to the England front line and the introduction of the hero of Wembley made all the difference when the winger laid on the sumptuous cross for Alessia Russo to nod home just before the hour mark.

Whilst there was to be no 96th minute goal from Michelle Agyemang nor a 119th winner from Kelly herself, the timings of their crucial strikes in the semi-final against Italy, there were moments where both team’s supporters had their hearts in their mouths.

It always looked likely to be heading to the 12-yard lottery, but when Salma Paralluelo shanked an effort wide of the post from point blank range in the dying minutes of extra-time it also seemed set in stone who would win that lottery and so it proved to be.

Starting the shootout in full England style Beth Mead’s opener was ruled out for a double touch and her retake was saved, followed by Patricia Guijarro slotting away Spain’s opener without breaking a sweat.

From there though it was all downhill for England as Hannah Hampton became a national hero by saving the next 3 Spanish penalties whilst Alex Greenwood and Bronze’s replacement Niamh Charles smashed it home to leave captain Leah Williamson the chance to seal the deal. That chance was passed up so that the hero of 2022 could be the hero once more, a true captain’s move.

When Chloe Kelly steps up to the spot you know there is only one likely result and even under the pressure of a Euro final she did not crumble, sending the nation into the stratosphere of ecstasy. Kelly said in January that she just wanted to feel happy playing football again and if this historic moment didn’t do that for her then there’s a chance she’s in the wrong profession.

So we did it the hard way eh, but all that matters is that we managed to become the first England team ever to defend a major title and the first England team ever to win a trophy away from the hallowed turf of Wembley.

Every time they seemed down and out throughout the tournament the Lionesses came together as a pack and tore their opponents apart with the ferocity of a team that knew this title was rightfully theirs.

The mentality needed to create comebacks so often and go again days later is monstrous but that’s what England had and they now go to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil as double defending European Champions. World Champions next? with mental strength like this don’t rule anything out…