Lucy Bronze Reveals She Played Through Euro 2025 With a Fractured Tibia

Lucy Bronze stated during England's Euro 2025 final win over Spain that she had played the entire tournament with a shattered tibia.

The right-back, who was replaced during half-time of extra time in the final due to a right knee injury, said she had played all six tournament matches with a fractured tibia in her left leg, which she described as "very painful". 

Bronze gained notoriety during the quarter-final victory against Sweden for strapping her thigh well into extra time before removing the strapping and shooting a tremendous penalty in the shootout.

The 33-year-old, whose middle name is Tough, had her right leg heavily strapped as England celebrated retaining the European Championship title in Basel, but when asked about it, she told the BBC: "I've actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia but no one knew, and then I've hurt my knee today on the other leg." 

"I believe that's why I received so much praise from the girls following the Sweden game - I've been through a lot of pain.  But this is what it takes to play for England.  That is what I will do.  They are aware of this, and I believe that by playing through situations like this, we were able to conclude.

Bronze stated that the two injuries will not prevent her from participating in England's private celebrations before flying home on Monday and attending a public celebration gathering in central London on Tuesday.  "I'm going to party, I'm going to enjoy it, and that's it." 

Chloe Kelly scored the winning penalty kick, capping an incredible turnaround in her fortunes since January, when her career appeared to be in decline.  She was not in Manchester City's plans and publicly aired her displeasure at being forced through a deadline-day loan to Arsenal.  She went on to help Arsenal win the Champions League before shining for England in Switzerland, saying: "There were a lot of tears at full-time, especially when I met my family, since they were the people who got me through those awful, dark moments. 

Kelly also complimented Sarina Wiegman for believing in her, saying, "She's bloody amazing."  She is a great woman, and we should all be grateful for everything she has done for this country.  She gave me hope when I probably didn't have it.

"She allowed me to represent my country again.  I knew I had to acquire game time, and representing England is never guaranteed.  But what she's done for the women's game, not only in England but also in the Netherlands, has pushed it to a whole new level." 

Wiegman, who has won this event three times in a row since 2017, stated in a news conference that England's multiple comeback victory made this "the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have ever played."  The manager stated, "I'm thrilled.  I honestly can't believe it.  How does this happen?  But it occurred.  I'm extremely pleased with the team and personnel.  "We're just going to party tonight!" 

The Dutchwoman had previously told the BBC: "The word 'team' properly describes who we are: a team.  We demonstrated our ability to win by whatever means today.  The first game was chaotic.  It's wonderful to lose your first game and go on to win the European championship.  Football is chaotic."

Bronze, who made her 36th appearance in a major event for the Lionesses, breaking Jill Scott's record, praised the team's unity, saying: "We've shown everyone to believe in themselves no matter what others say about you and to believe in the people who give you that support." 

Shortly after Kelly's winning penalty clinched the Lionesses' successful defence of their European crown, the Football Association announced that the victory, in England's fifth major senior final since 2021, will be marked by a homecoming gala.  Wiegman and her team will begin an open-top bus parade along the Mall at 12.10 p.m., culminating in a staged ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace at 12.30 p.m., which will be free for fans to attend.

"It's going to be crazy," Kelly stated.  "I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and shows love to all these girls because they deserve it." 

Montse Tomé, Spain's coach, believed her team had performed better, adding, "I believe this team deserved more.  I believe we fought hard for a long time to get to this point, to be in this final against a high-level national team like England, and what we saw during the game makes me believe that the team deserved more, rather than leaving with this sour feeling.  This is a sport.  You must understand how to lose, and today we missed the penalties.  I believe we were superior, but football is a sport in which not always the greatest team wins.  England is a fantastic national team."