TYLDESLEY star Ella Toone has been showered with praise after her goal against Germany helped the Lionesses win the Women's Euros 2022.
Brought on as a 55th minute substitute, Ella Toone's incredible chip put England in front in the 62nd minute.
After the game was taken into extra time, Chloe Kelly notched home a scrappy winner to secure a 2-1 victory in the 110th minute.
In front of a home crowd of 87,000 people and a peak TV audience of 17.4 million, the win was the Lionesses' first major trophy and the first in England since 1966.
Putting England 1-0 up at Wembley Stadium, the former Fred Longworth student's goal was celebrated far and wide by footballers, celebrities, and of course, her hometown fans.
Ella described the moment as the "best feeling of [her] life" and hopes it can encourage more people to watch the Women's game.
Praise for Ella and the Lionesses:
England Men's striker and captain Harry Kane tweeted: "Absolutely unreal scenes at Wembley!! Massive congrats to the amazing Lionesses! Ella Toone take a bow for that finish too".
Absolutely unreal scenes at Wembley!! Massive congrats to the amazing @Lionesses!! @ellatoone99 take a bow for that finish too 👌
— Harry Kane (@HKane) July 31, 2022
England's Men's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney posted: "Massive congratulations to the Lionesses players and staff. Well deserved European Champions.
"Can’t stop watching that first goal, brilliant vision by Kiera Walsh and what a finish from Ella Toone."
Massive congratulations to the @Lionesses players and staff. Well deserved European Champions. Can’t stop watching that first goal, brilliant vision by @keira_walsh and what a finish from @ellatoone99 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/HES6RfwzJs
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) August 1, 2022
Chelsea and England forward Raheem Sterling said: "Composure 10/10 Ella Toone."
Composure 10/10 @ellatoone99
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) July 31, 2022
Former England striker Gary Lineker similarly posted: "Woah. What a finish from Ella Toone. Beautifully done."
Woah. What a finish from @ellatoone99. Beautifully done. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) July 31, 2022
Speaking to That's TV Manchester, Ella's old PE teacher from Fred Longworth, Laura Gregory said: "She knows what we feel about her, because we are so proud of her, and we just can't wait to see her.
"Ella was part of the video I put together for each form [about the Euros] and left a message saying thanks for getting involved.
"She's like that Ella, she'll do anything for you.
"Us Women, it shows the nation we can do anything we put our minds to. What they did [on Sunday] was absolutely fantastic and it puts a big smile on people's faces."
Ella's former team, Astley & Tyldesley FC posted on Facebook: "Well done Ella Toone the Lionesses we did it! We beat Germany! We knew you could!."
A video of the celebrations of Ella's goal in the Astley & Tyldesley clubhouse was also shared by the Manchester United midfielder on Twitter.
MY PEOPLE ❤️❤️❤️ tyldesley forever https://t.co/pxwHDudUM5
— Ella Toone (@ellatoone99) August 1, 2022
With Ella coming home to celebrate her win with family, friends, and the community in Tyldesley, the Union Arms pub posted a picture with the caption: "The Champs back".
The Union Arms landlord Sharon Mattin explained how the down-to-earth Ella often comes back to the pub where she grew up, and is a great role model for young and aspiring female footballers.
Across Astley, Tyldesley, and the wider borough, Ella's name was mentioned in countless other tributes.
Many stated how she has "done the town proud" and is a great role model for young girls wanting to take up the sport.
Confirming she will be carrying on the celebrations in Ibizia, Ella will get back down to football with the Women's Super League in September.
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