England defender Bronze hides her broken leg to help team win Euro 2025
The 33-year-old played 598 minutes in the tournament, and will be remembered for slamming home the decisive penalty in the quarterfinal win against Sweden after she had got her team back into the game with a 79th-minute goal, with England two goals down and seemingly heading out.
That game also saw her tightly pulling strapping around her upper thigh during a break in play in the closing minutes, but she was still able to play in the semifinal win over Italy.
Bronze also played 105 minutes of Sunday's final before suffering a knee injury that forced her off in tears. After Chloe Kelly scored the decisive goal in the shootout, Bronze made a shock admission that she had been playing with a broken leg.
"I actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but no one knew," said Bronze in a post-game interview.
"That is why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game because I have been in a lot of pain," she continued, showing her incredible commitment.
"If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do - they know that. We inspire each other by playing through things like that and it got us to the end," said Bronze.
England coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed Bronze had played with a broken bone.
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