Euro 2025 champion reveals playing with a broken tibia

VHO - Right-back Lucy Bronze revealed after England's Euro 2025 final victory over Spain that she played the entire tournament with a fractured left tibia. Bronze had to leave the field in extra time with a right knee injury. She said: "It was very painful."

Lucy Bronze celebrated her Euro 2025 final victory with her right leg in a sling after a knee injury.

In the quarter-final match against Sweden, the 33-year-old player attracted attention when she bandaged her thigh in extra time. She removed the bandage just before successfully taking the decisive penalty kick, helping England to the semi-finals.

Bronze said: “I played the whole tournament with a broken tibia and no one knew. Today the knee hurt again. I think that’s why my team-mates appreciated me more after the quarter-final. To suffer for England – I’m perfectly willing to accept that.”

The hero of the final

Chloe Kelly became a hero when she scored the decisive penalty in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to help England beat Spain and retain their title. This was a major turning point in her career. Earlier this year, Manchester City dropped Kelly from their squad.

She then moved to Arsenal on loan and played a major role in helping the team win the Champions League before shining at Euro 2025.

Chloe Kelly celebrates after scoring the winning goal in the penalty shootout.

Kelly choked up and shared: “I cried a lot, especially when I saw my family. They helped me through the darkest times. If anyone is going through a hard time, remember: hard times don’t last forever.”

She also paid tribute to coach Sarina Wiegman: “She is a fantastic woman. She has given us hope and raised the level of women’s football – not only in England but also in the Netherlands.”

Sarina Wiegman and her "tangled" journey

Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to Euro 2017 and England to Euro 2022, completed a hat-trick of continental titles with this year’s victory, but said it was the toughest campaign of her coaching career.

Sarina Wiegman celebrates with the Euro 2025 championship.

“It was the most chaotic tournament,” said Wiegman. “I can’t believe we won. From the first defeat to being champions of Europe, it was tough. But I’m so proud of the team.”

With 36 appearances in major tournaments for the Lionesses, Lucy Bronze has surpassed her senior Jill Scott in terms of appearances. She affirmed: “We always believe in ourselves and in the fans – regardless of what others think.”

Celebrate the victory

Following the title win, the Football Association announced that it will hold an open-top bus parade in London on Tuesday. The parade will depart at 12:10pm from The Mall and end with a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace at 12:30pm.

“I hope the whole of England comes out and marches with us,” Kelly enthused. “This team absolutely deserves it.”

Meanwhile, Spanish coach Montse Tomé – despite the defeat – was still proud: “Our team deserved better. But we gave our all for this final.”

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/nha-vo-dich-euro-2025-tiet-lo-thi-dau-voi-xuong-chay-gay-156924.html