England's Euro 2025 Victory Forged in Grit and Determination, Despite Defender's Fractured Tibia

England defender Lucy Bronze revealed she played the entire European Championships with a fractured tibia. The Lionesses secured victory in the Euro 2025 final against Spain, winning 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty.

Bronze, a 33-year-old Chelsea fullback, disclosed her injury after the match. She told the BBC that she played through considerable pain throughout the tournament. Coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed the injury, highlighting Bronze's dedication. Bronze played a significant number of minutes during the tournament and even scored in the quarterfinal victory over Sweden.

Coach Wiegman acknowledged the challenges of managing Bronze's injury, especially during extended matches. She praised Bronze's exceptional mentality and the team's overall resilience. BBC pundits expressed astonishment at Bronze's determination, with one describing her efforts as "not normal."

England's victory was another comeback story for Sarina Wiegman's side. Spain took the lead in the 25th minute, but England responded with a goal from Alessia Russo, assisted by Chloe Kelly. The match remained tied after extra time, leading to the penalty shootout.

In the shootout, Spain's Cata Coll initially saved Beth Mead's penalty, but it was retaken. England's goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made crucial saves, while Kelly ultimately secured the win with her penalty. Kelly expressed her pride in the team and her confidence during the decisive moment.

The final marked the first penalty shootout in the tournament since 1984. Spain's player of the tournament, Aitana Bonmati, expressed disappointment after the loss, acknowledging her penalty miss and congratulating England.