England led though Ella Toone’s superb lofted finish from Keira Walsh’s perfect pass just after the hour, but the dangerous Germans, cruelly robbed of top scorer and talisman Alexandra Popp after she was injured in the warm-up, deservedly struck back when the dangerous Lina Magull clipped in the equaliser at the near post with 11 minutes left.
Into extra time they went, and with the prospect of penalties looming – and we all know how painfully that usually ends for England – Kelly emerged from a scramble at a corner to bundle home the winner.
What followed will be etched on the memory forever. It was England’s Brandi Chastain moment.
Chastain famously celebrated scoring the winning penalty for the United States in the 1999 World Cup by ripping off her shirt. Kelly followed suit as she raced around Wembley almost in disbelief. Her shirt-swirling jubilation will provide an image for the ages.
Kelly had been introduced in one of those masterful changes Wiegman has implemented throughout Euro 2022, usually impeccably timed and having maximum impact.
England were ten minutes from history, Wembley was knee-deep in chewed fingernails, but they survived with barely an anxious moment thanks to a masterpiece of game management that kept the ball in the corner and consequently Germany at arm’s length.
Wembley erupted when Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul sounded the final whistle, Kelly breaking off from her post-match interview by running away singing Sweet Caroline into the microphone. Lucy Bronze launched herself head first into layers of silver tickertape that exploded behind England as they lifted the trophy.
The smiling figure of Wiegman, reserved and calculating in the technical area, joined in the celebrations with gusto after delivering what the Football Association hired her for after winning the trophy with the Netherlands in a home tournament five years ago.
Wiegman was brought in to make England winners after losing three semi-finals. Job done.
She has given off a cool air of calm and authority throughout. Wiegman stuck with the same team for six games, and for all the arguments about whether Alessia Russo should have started ahead of Ellen White, Wiegman can point towards a large silver trophy as her answer to that.
As for England’s Lionesses, this was the crowning glory of an unforgettable Euro 2022. Women’s football – in the very best of ways – will never be the same again.
In the words of Wiegman as she left the scene of England’s triumph: “We changed society.”