Sarina Wiegman Hopes England’s Euro 2025 Triumph Inspires Global Impact

England manager Sarina Wiegman hopes the Lionesses’ historic Euro 2025 victory sends ripples across the globe and continues to elevate the women’s game.

Three summers ago, it seemed unimaginable that any goal could surpass Chloe Kelly’s decisive extra-time strike at Wembley, which secured England’s first major trophy. Yet Kelly once again rose to the occasion when it mattered most, emphatically converting the winning penalty in Basel to seal England’s third consecutive comeback victory – a 3-1 triumph on penalties over reigning world champions Spain.

“I hope it will further boost the women’s game, not just in England, but internationally,” said Wiegman, who has now claimed her third European title, having led the Netherlands to glory in 2017 before back-to-back wins with the Lionesses.

“My experience of this tournament is that the standard has risen once again. The intensity of the matches was extraordinary – we saw it on the pitch, and it’s also evident in the data. I believe this competition has broken every record once more, which is fantastic. I hope it helps to grow the game globally.

“I don’t really know what to expect now in England, but I do believe it will give the game another push.”

The Swiss edition of the tournament attracted a record-breaking 657,291 spectators – the highest ever attendance for a Women’s Euros. One of the key criticisms during the tournament was that the sport may have already outgrown the stadia provided.

The final also became the most-watched television moment of 2025 across all UK broadcasters, drawing a peak live audience of 12.2 million.

Wiegman said she was “very much looking forward” to celebrating the team’s achievement – the first major trophy for a senior England football team won on foreign soil – with festivities planned in London on Tuesday, including an open-top bus parade and a celebration outside Buckingham Palace.

After England secured their place in the final, gaining revenge for their defeat to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, Wiegman said she felt as though she were “in a film”. Reflecting on the outcome in Basel, she added: “How can this happen? But it happened!”

Kelly also netted the extra-time winner in the semi-final against Italy, while a dramatic penalty shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals had booked their place in the last four. In both matches, 19-year-old tournament debutant Michelle Agyemang came off the bench to score crucial equalisers.

Spain had taken the lead in the 25th minute of the final through Arsenal forward Mariona Caldentey, requiring England to script another comeback in their astonishing run.

Alessia Russo drew England level after the break, and with the score locked at 1-1 after extra-time, the match headed to penalties.

Two vital saves from player-of-the-match Hannah Hampton, combined with Salma Paralluelo’s miss, set the stage for Kelly, who coolly found the top-left corner to cement her place in England’s footballing history.

Wiegman described the tournament as “the most chaotic and ridiculous” her team had ever played.

Her players have heaped praise on Wiegman’s inspirational speeches throughout the campaign. On Sunday, she shared a glimpse of her final team talk:

“Right before we went out, I said – though I can’t repeat all the words I used – the main message was: ‘Enjoy it’.

“We’ve come so far in this tournament. I think we’ve created something special once again. These are the moments you dream of – some couldn’t even have imagined them when they were young, as it wasn’t possible back then.

“So go out there, enjoy every second, and give it your very best.”