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Five times Ella Toone owned the stage

Official Manchester United Website 2 days ago
DXC

As a militant club-over-country Red, I'm loath to kick this off with something from the international scene, but Ella's opening goal in the Euro 2022 final was one of those moments that simply could not be ignored, whatever your allegiances.

Infamously, England had not won a major piece of silverware since the men's team's iconic triumph in 1966, so the heat was on. An incredible 17.6 million people tuned in within the United Kingdom alone.

In the 62nd minute, after being sent clear by Kiera Walsh's searching pass, Toone put England on the road to an epochal success, and not with a tap-in or something out of the textbook either. One on one with Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms, Toone opted for something trickier: an audacious chip. Over Frohms it went, hanging in the air as Wembley held its breath, before dropping underneath the crossbar and sending the best part of 87,000 people absolutely potty.

It wouldn't be the last time that Toone produced when her country most required something: she also converted in the 2023 Finalissima triumph against Brazil, and blasted the first in a victorious World Cup semi-final against Australia later that year.

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