Lucy Bronze Reveals She Played Entire Euro 2025 Campaign With Fractured Tibia

Add as a preferred source on Google

Lucy Bronze revealed she played through England's Euro 2025 campaign with a fractured tibia. Despite her injury, she was pivotal in the Lionesses' journey to victory. England triumphed over Spain in the final, winning 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty, securing England's second consecutive Women's Euros title.

The Lionesses' success under Sarina Wiegman is notable, as they became only the second team after Germany to retain the Women's Euros title. Bronze contributed significantly, scoring in the quarter-final shoot-out against Sweden. Her determination was evident as she battled pain throughout the tournament.

Bronze shared her experience with BBC Sport, stating, "I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg." Her teammates praised her resilience after the Sweden game due to her enduring pain. She added, "If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do."

Throughout the tournament, Bronze played 598 minutes, surpassed only by Keira Walsh (599), Alex Greenwood (625), and Hannah Hampton (630) for England. The team's perseverance was evident as they faced tough challenges against Sweden and Spain and narrowly defeated Italy in the semi-finals.

England's path to victory wasn't easy; they led for just four minutes and 52 seconds during knockout stages. They also became the first team to have three matches go into extra time in a single Women's Euros or World Cup edition. Despite losing their opening match to France, Bronze emphasized their unwavering belief.

"I mean, I think we never lost belief in ourselves," Bronze said. "There was a lot of noise on the outside. We stuck together and dug deep." She highlighted how winning on penalties felt incredible but acknowledged its difficulty from past experiences.

Inspiring Performance and Legacy

The Lionesses' ability to win all four penalty shoot-outs under Wiegman is remarkable. Their last shoot-out defeat was at the 2011 World Cup. Bronze reflected on their achievement: "This team is so inspiring to be part of. What we have done today is unbelievable."

Their journey showcased resilience and unity despite external doubts. Bronze concluded by encouraging belief regardless of others' opinions: "Today we have shown resilience... believe in yourself no matter what people say about you."