Euro 2022 final: ‘First time I’ve seen the whole country pay attention and not just those interested in women’s football’

Little more than half a century ago, women were still banned from playing at football league grounds in England.

Yet, today the Lionesses made history by clinching the Euro 2022 title on the nation’s greatest footballing stage, Wembley, in front of more than 87,000 people – with thousands more roaring them on in Trafalgar Square.

A crowd of 7,000 massed at the London landmark on Sunday to watch the final between England and Germany on big screens. Trafalgar Square erupted in celebration at the end of a nail-biting extra time, with some fans waving St George’s flags and others embracing.

Four friends from Devon – who all play for the same football team, Juventus Academy Devon – got on the road at 6am to make the trip to London to cheer on England from Trafalgar Square.

After Chloe Kelly’s extra-time strike gave England a historic 2-1 victory, the friends were jubilant. Hannah Healey, 18, from Torquay, who works at a waterpark, told The Independent: “Women’s football’s going up in the world and men will notice it more, it’ll just be more equal.”

Friend Rachel Fleming explained: “Younger girls now are gonna think, I can play football.” The 24-year-old, who works at a caravan park, added: “I think it’s just gonna give girls confidence as well to go and do it. If they’ve been thinking about it... and get told, ‘Only boys can play’, this is gonna change it.”

Elsewhere at Trafalgar Square, Grace Power, sporting a St George’s flag painted on her face with “2022” written on it in eye-liner, was joined by two friends to watch the final. The 29-year-old, from London, said: “Even if they didn’t win, we’re so proud of what they’ve achieved here today… what they’ve done for women’s sport… it’s gonna be amazing, I feel.”

She added: “I