It is the first time an England team have won a major trophy on foreign soil after Wiegman’s side delivered at home in 2022, and the men’s 1966 World Cup victory took place at Wembley Stadium.
The Lionesses also became the first senior English side to defend their title – and they did it by coming from behind at half-time – the first time that had been done before in the women’s Euros.
It cemented manager Wiegman’s status as one of the world’s greatest with her third successive European title – achieved with two countries.
It was her fifth major final in a row and Wiegman has won three of them, a remarkable feat.
She could barely believe it as she danced, arm-in-arm with captain Leah Williamson, allowing the mask to slip as England’s understated and composed leader.
“I actually can’t believe it myself. I was like ‘how can this happen?’ But it happened. I’m so incredibly proud of the team. I’m so happy,” she said afterwards.
Wiegman’s watch notification during her news conference reminded her of a workout she was due to have. “I won’t be doing that any more,” she joked. And you can understand why.
She had already exhausted herself, going through every emotion imaginable in what she described as the “most ridiculous and chaotic” tournament of her career.
The players had not made it easy for themselves, acknowledging the stress they had put their families under and how they “almost killed” Wiegman off – at least twice.
England led for just four minutes and 52 seconds in the knockout stage of the tournament and yet somehow had their hands on the trophy in Basel, surrounded by gold confetti, with Queen’s We Are The Champions playing in the background.
Before kick-off, England were written off.
In fact, they were written off before Euro 2025 started when Mary Earps and Fran Kirby retired out of the blue and World Cup captain Millie Bright withdrew from selection.
Surely that would be unsettling? Their poor defeat by France in the opening game only strengthened that narrative.
But England bounced back. They beat the Netherlands and Wales comfortably to reach the knockout stages.
They were 2-0 down to Sweden in the quarter-finals and came back. Sweden only scored two of their seven penalties, so even when goalkeeper Jennifer Falk saved four of England’s, it was not enough. Luck was on England’s side.
That was the moment Wiegman admitted the thought “hmm, we might be going home tomorrow” had crossed her mind.
They were 1-0 down again to Italy in the semi-finals before teenager Michelle Agyemang scored a 96th-minute equaliser and Kelly netted the extra-time winner in the 119th minute.
Spain had not lost in 10 games, they were the world champions and they were the pre-tournament favourites.
When they went 1-0 up in the final, England were on the ropes. They looked down and out. But that was not how the script had been written. England had decided that.
