The Pressure of Legacy – Can the Lionesses Repeat History?

When the Lionesses lifted the Euro 2022 trophy on home soil, they didn’t just win a football tournament they ignited a movement. A record-breaking Wembley crowd, a surge in girls’ grassroots participation, and the first major silverware for England since 1966!

Now, as the Euro 2025 final looms on the horizon, the question isn’t just can they win again? It’s whether they can shoulder the weight of their own legacy.

In 2022, England played with fearless energy, free from the burden of past failures. They were a team on the rise unshackled and inspired. Fast-forward three years, and they’re no longer the underdogs. They’re the favourites.

The defending champions enter the Euro 2025 final with the pressure to prove that their historic victory wasn’t a one-off, but the beginning of a lasting legacy. This time, though, there’s no home advantage. Unlike the roaring Wembley crowds of 2022, England have had to do it the hard way battling through in Switzerland, far from the familiar comforts of home.

The expectations remain the same. But the environment is tougher, the margins thinner, and the pressure even greater.

The Lionesses have shown resilience already. England booked their place in the semi-finals after a dramatic comeback win over Sweden. Trailing 2–0, the Lionesses clawed their way back to force extra time and eventually penalties a gritty display of determination and belief.

It wasn’t pretty. Of the 14 penalties taken, just five were scored, six were saved, and three were missed. A chaotic shootout that mirrored England’s tournament so far: inconsistent, at times unconvincing, but still finding a way to win.

Then came Italy. A tense, draining semi-final where the Lionesses once again flirted with the edge of elimination. But just when it seemed over, they delivered another twist. Two late, dramatic goals in the 96th and 119th minutes turned heartbreak into jubilation. Supersubs Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang came off the bench to rescue England in astonishing fashion.

It was another reminder of their fighting mentality: when everyone thinks they’re done, they find a way to survive. This team may not always shine, but they don’t back down.

From fans to pundits to social media, one thing is clear: England are the team to beat. With success comes spotlight and with spotlight comes scrutiny. The Lionesses now live in a different world, where every pass, every lineup decision, and every missed chance is dissected in real time by millions.

The rise in visibility has brought commercial success: sponsorships, front-page headlines, and global recognition. But it’s also come with strings attached: expectations. The public doesn’t just hope for results; it demands them. That weight can be motivating, but it can also become suffocating.

Social media, once a platform for celebration and connection, has also exposed players to an uglier side of fame. Jess Carter revealed she had been the target of racist abuse during Euro 2025 a stark reminder that progress in football isn’t always matched by progress in society.

Despite entering the final as favourites, England face what may be their toughest challenge yet. Their opponents are a formidable side technically gifted, tactically astute, and packed with players who thrive under pressure.

England will need to be at their absolute best: tactically sharp, emotionally resilient, and clinical at both ends of the pitch. The final won’t be won on legacy or expectation, but on execution in the moments that matter.

The Lionesses have shown their quality and resilience throughout the tournament, but will they have enough to overcome one final hurdle and lift the Euros trophy again?