Women’s Euro 2025: Lucy Bronze makes stunning injury revelation after England’s successful title defence

Lucy Bronze revealed she played the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia after England successfully defended their title with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Spain in Sunday’s final.

Bronze was forced off after the first period of extra time in Basel because of a knee injury, making her a spectator for the shootout, with 120 minutes not enough to separate the two teams. Mariona Caldentey gave Spain the lead in the 25th minute, before Alessia Russo levelled 12 minutes into the second half.

Chloe Kelly, who supplied the cross for the equaliser, fired home the decisive penalty for England after Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati and Salma Paralluelo failed from 12 yards for the world champions.

Full-back Bronze had previously played 120 minutes against both Sweden and Italy in England’s quarter-final and semi-final ties, scoring a key penalty in the last eight shootout.

And, following a remarkable final, she disclosed the incredible lengths she went to in order to ensure the Lionesses claimed back-to-back European titles.

“We never lost belief in ourselves. There was a lot of noise on the outside, but we just stuck together and dug deep,” Bronze told BBC One.

“We showed that in the all the knockout games, to go 120 minutes and go back to back to back, is incredible. To win on penalties, in two games… this team is so inspiring to be part of.

“We give each other energy and what we have achieved today is incredible.

“Today we have just showed resilience, like we have through all the tournament. The want to believe in ourselves and believe in the people who give you support.

“I’ve actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no one knew. And now I’ve hurt my knee on the other leg.

“I think that is why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game because I’m in a lot of pain, but that’s what it takes to play for England and that’s what I will do. They know that and we inspire each other by playing through things like that, and it got us to the end in the end.”

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