Women’s Euro 2022 Final: How England successfully brought football home against Germany – tactical analysis

English football fans are undoubtedly one of the world’s most patient groups of people, with them having to endure 56 years of waiting for a major trophy and seeing each attempt to end that drought fail to come off. On Sunday evening, that patience was at last rewarded, with a title finally secured and on home soil too. However, it was not the men’s team who won it and was instead their female counterparts who succeeded in bringing football home, with a stunning victory over Germany in the Euro 2022 final sealed in extra time under the Wembley arch.

As this tactical analysis will show, England’s win was built on several important traits, including hard work, good preparation and strong teamwork. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing for them, as Germany gave them plenty to think about as the match proceeded and forced them to remain concentrated until the final whistle. The analysis will therefore focus on what Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side changed to help them recover from a sluggish start, as well as the different tactics that ensured the Lionesses landed their first ever major trophy.

Lineups

For the sixth time this tournament, England manager Sarina Wiegman named the same starting eleven and resisted any temptation to make alterations. That meant that Manchester United Women’s Mary Earps started in goal, whilst captain and Arsenal Women defender Leah Williamson was joined by full-backs Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly and Chelsea Women centre-back Millie Bright in the back four.

Further forward, Manchester City Women’s Keira Walsh was once again in the holding midfield role, with ex-club teammate Georgia Stanway and Chelsea star Fran Kirby just ahead of her, whilst Arsenal forward Beth Mead and Manchester City winger Lauren Hemp were once again tasked with getting up the wings and providing support for veteran striker Ellen White, who led the line.