Lierieties

For the first time since 1970, an England senior team attempt to defend their title - the Lionesses haven't had things all their own way since Euro 2022, but they're determined to retain their crown

- Sarah Rendell

Three years ago, in the final of the Euros at Wembley, the image of Chloe Kelly's iconic celebration transformed women’s football in England forever.

Shirt twirling above her head, Kelly had just scored the goal that would give the Lionesses their first major trophy, in front of more than 87,000 people at the national stadium. Attendances quickly boomed in the Women’s Super League, while the number of young girls starting to play the game skyrocketed.

A year on, that momentum continued as more history was made in Australia. For the first time, England's women’s team reached the World Cup final. Mary Earps’ penalty save wasn’t enough to help the Lionesses overcome Spain in Sydney, but once more, they'd broken new boundaries, achieving something they'd never done before.

Now, the Lionesses have the chance to make history once again. No senior England team, female or male, has ever defended a major trophy. England’s men attempted it in the heat of Mexico at the 1970 World Cup, but fell short in the quarter-finals. In Switzerland this summer, Sarina Wiegman has a squad capable of retaining the Euros.

MIXED FORTUNES

As of early May, the Lionesses stood as second favourites to win Euro 2025 - only behind Spain, their conquerors at the World Cup. Reaching the final Down Under further emphasised England’s status on the international stage, but performances and results have been inconsistent since.