General Football
England needed the ultimate team performance to beat world champions | Tom Garry
Never-say-die attitude that defines this squad and manager Sarina Wiegman was crucial to Lionesses’ overseas glory
It is a sight we have never seen, a senior England football team hoisting a major trophy in overseas air, an unparalleled away-from-home achievement, history made in Basel. And then there was the blissful soundtrack that accompanied it. That sweet, glorious sound of We Are The Champions being sung abroad by England and their supporters, Sarina Wiegman conducting everyone with her waving arms, and every England player and staff member belting out Queen’s words.
Wiegman is this sport’s undisputed queen of coaching, winning this silverware three times in a row, and now the first England manager to successfully defend a trophy. The Dutchwoman is the greatest signing the Football Association has made. What this win was defined by, though, was a “team”, and on Sunday they produced the ultimate team performance to beat the world’s best.
Spain have the shapes, patterns and craft but their one weakness cost them | Nick Ames
The world champions’ cutting edge deserted them when it mattered most in the final against England in Basel
Aitana Bonmatí could not even manage a smile. The walk to the podium through an England guard of honour that, while generous in its applause, could still barely hold in its euphoria must have felt several miles long. She had just been named player of the tournament and it was just about possible to detect a bowing of the head as the award was announced. There were photos to pose for after taking receipt of the trophy and after what had just passed there was simply no point in putting on an act.
In those moments before Bonmatí shuffled up for her prize, Spain’s players stood motionless, wordless, in the penalty area that had eventually sealed their fate. How had it come to this? It had been billed as the rubber-stamping of a golden generation; the night when the world’s best team would follow success by reeling off more of the same. Everyone knew that Spain routinely performed at a level several notches higher than the rest. There was nothing to do beyond fold the arms and stare blankly.