Lionesses back-to-back: European champions in 2022 and 2025

Before 2022, England's women had reached two European Championship finals and lost both. Within three years they had won two.

Two tournaments, two titles

European titles: 2; 2022 and 2025
Matches played: 12; One defeat
Goals scored: 38; 22 in 2022, 16 in 2025

2022: Wembley

As hosts, the Lionesses won all six of their matches. They opened with a 1–0 win over Austria at Old Trafford, beat Norway 8–0 in Brighton and finished the group with a 5–0 win over Northern Ireland in Southampton. Spain took them to extra time in the quarter-final, where Georgia Stanway's goal settled it, and Sweden were beaten 4–0 at Bramall Lane in the semi-final.

The final against Germany was played at Wembley in front of 87,192 people, a record crowd for a European Championship match. Ella Toone scored first, Lina Magull equalised and Chloe Kelly won it in extra time. It was the first major tournament won by an England senior football team since 1966.

UEFA Women's Championship · Final 31 July 2022

England 2

Germany 1

a.e.t. · Wembley Stadium, London Match page

Lionesses · Football · Forward

Beth Mead

Scored six of England's 22 goals at Euro 2022

Caps: 83
Goals: 40
England career: 2018–present

2025: Switzerland

Defending the title proved harder. England lost their opening game 2–1 to France in Zurich, then recovered with a 4–0 win over the Netherlands and a 6–1 win over Wales to reach the knockout rounds.

Both knockout games before the final went the distance. Against Sweden, England were 2–0 down until Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang scored two minutes apart late on, and they won the shoot-out 3–2. Against Italy, Agyemang equalised in stoppage time and Kelly scored the winner in extra time.

The final in Basel was a rematch with Spain, the world champions. Mariona Caldentey put Spain ahead, Alessia Russo equalised, and after extra time England won the shoot-out 3–1. It was the first major tournament an England senior side had won abroad.

UEFA Women's Championship · Final 27 July 2025

England 1

Spain 1

a.e.t., 3–1 pens · St. Jakob-Park, Basel Match page

The long road

1984 Runners-up England reach the final of the first European championship for women.
2009 Runners-up again Hope Powell's side reach the final in Finland.
2017 Semi-finals Four wins from five in the Netherlands.
2022 European champions Six wins from six, and the title at Wembley.
2023 World Cup final Runners-up in Australia and New Zealand.
2025 Champions again The title retained in Basel.

The common thread

Both titles came under head coach Sarina Wiegman, with Leah Williamson captaining the side. The next target is the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, the one major prize still missing after the Lionesses reached the 2023 final. Follow the build-up on our Women's World Cup hub, and every Euros since 1984 on our European Championship pages.