Moment Chloe Kelly whipped off her shirt in the Euro 2022 final is hailed by fans
The moment Chloe Kelly whipped off her shirt to run across the pitch in her sports bra after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final has been hailed by fans as ‘feminist image of the decade’.
The substitute, 24, took her shirt off after poking the ball home from close range and ran around the pitch with her euphoric teammates.
She whirled her shirt around her head in a moment of glorious abandon, as she raced away pursued by ecstatic team-mates.
It drew comparisons with former USA international Chastain, who shot to fame in 1999 after she celebrated scoring her country’s winning penalty in the World Cup final by ripping off her shirt, waving it around her head and dropping to her knees.
It was a turning point for women’s football in the country, with funding increased in the sport following the win.
Many fans went wild over the moment online, with one commenting: ‘Chloe Kelly celebrating her goal in a sports bra is the feminist image of the decade.’
The moment Chloe Kelly, 24, whipped off her shirt to run across the pitch in her sports bra after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final has been hailed by fans as ‘feminist image of the decade’
The substitute took her shirt off after poking the ball home from close range and ran around the pitch with her euphoric teammates
Kelly stripping down to her sports bra and rushing across the pitch drew comparisons with Brandi Chastain’s famous celebration in 1999
Another wrote: ‘Chloe Kelly giving us the supportive sports bra representation we NEED!’
A third added: ‘Didn’t know who Chloe Kelly was an hour ago but she’s now my favourite.
‘Her sports bra will go down in history forever.’
A fourth wrote: ‘Throwing out all my underwire bras and replacing them with sports bras out of respect for Chloe Kelly.’
Many football fans went wild for the moment online, with some saying it would ‘go down in history forever’
‘I’ve calmed down now and I’m ready to write a detailed think piece about Chloe Kelly’s iconic sports bra celebration,’ another added.
One added: ‘If Nike don’t run an advert with Chloe Kelly that’s something like “sports bra you can share with 82,000 people” they’re missing a trick.’
‘On a serious note, where did Chloe Kelly get that sports bra? I need seven of them, immediately.’
‘Chloe Kelly! A name that’ll be etched in English football history forever,’ another wrote. ‘After missing the Olympics and most of last season with her ACL injury, fighting back, the rehab, the hard work and now this iconic comeback story. Magnificent.’
Among those to heap praise on the 24-year-old was American player Brandi, who tweeted: ‘I see you Chloe Kelly, well done’
Among those to heap praise on the 24-year-old was American player Brandi, who tweeted: ‘I see you Chloe Kelly, well done.
‘Enjoy the free rounds of pints and dinners for the rest of your life from all of England. Cheers!’
It had been a tense 90 minutes with flying tackles and yellow cards peppering a highly-energetic match, watched by Prince William in the crowd.
But the introduction of Ella Toone looked to have settled it after she broke to fizz a shot past helpless German keeper Merle Frohms watched by a record 87,192 in the stadium.
But there was heartbreak minutes later as Magull worked her way into position to equalise, devastating England fans across the country.
With only ten minutes left, the game was left balancing on a knife edge with the ultimate prize at stake.
The stalemate could not be broken, going into another agonising 30 more minutes of extra time which at first had produced nothing more.
But Kelly was not about to let the game go to penalties and picked the biggest stage in the world to produce her first ever international goal.
The moment came after Chloe scrambled home what would turn out to be the crucial winner in the second half of extra time
After momentarily hesitating, the 24-year-old whipped off her shirt and rushed across the pitch in her Nike sports bra (left and right)
Twirling her white jersey around her head in an echo of one of football’s most famous celebrations, matchwinner Chloe epitomised one of the most special occasions in the history of the game in the country
Twirling her white jersey around her head in an echo of one of football’s most famous celebrations, matchwinner Chloe epitomised one of the most special occasions in the history of the game in the country.
In many ways, the celebration almost overwhelmed the goal itself, becoming the image that will dominate this morning’s front pages and news bulletins.
It would have been an emotional moment for the 24-year-old who returned from an ACL injury earlier this year. The winner was her first competitive international goal.
Meanwhile Chloe’s teammates including Jill Scott were roaring with pride as they rushed after the player
Chloe’s teammates Nikita Parris and Lauren Hemp were overwhelmed with joy as they cheered on the 24-year-old
The win gives England their first ever major trophy in women’s football, and the first Euros win for any England side
It became an iconic image of female empowerment. A yes-we-can, seen around the planet. And this was England’s belated riposte.
The win gives England their first ever major trophy in women’s football, and the first Euros win for any England side.
Speaking after the game, Kelly said: ‘ It’s amazing, this is unreal. Honestly, it’s amazing. Thank you everyone who came out to support us. It’s unbelievable.
‘Thank you to everyone who played a part in my rehab. To be here and score a winner, it’s special.
‘All my family are here, my sister, my nephews, everyone. I just want to celebrate now.’
