Game-changer Chloe Kelly is unrivalled in delivering England's biggest moments
The Arsenal winger thrives in these situations yet against Italy on Tuesday night the early signs were not promising. Her prime chance to make a difference was a 94th-minute corner, England's sixth of the second half. Kelly pull-hooked it over the byline and straight into the side netting.
Instead it was a new challenger for the title of 'day-saver-in-chief' who rescued England, Michelle Agyemang scoring her second late equaliser in as many games.
You can NEVER watch 96th minute limbs too many times 😏 pic.twitter.com/Ruj1iXETci
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 23, 2025
There would still be a role for Kelly. When Beth Mead went down and Ivana Martincic pointed to the spot it looked liked Lucy Bronze would take the resulting penalty. It was misdirection, Kelly was the only candidate.
ITV commentator Seb Hutchinson called her 'fearless', ominously. Kelly did look remarkably relaxed but fate had been sufficiently tempted and her penalty was saved. Then, of course, she was quickest to the follow-up and found an exemplary finish before a 'calm down' celebration for anyone feeling a sudden tight sensation across their chest.
Who else? 🥶
🏴 Chloe Kelly wins it for England in the 119th minute 😤 #WEURO2025 pic.twitter.com/97wKgbtpGN
— UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) July 22, 2025
It was the latest contribution to Kelly's portfolio of critical interventions on the biggest stages. She is making a convincing argument for herself as the most 'clutch' footballer of her generation. If unfamiliar with the American sport discourse which popularised the term, it refers to athletes who reliably perform well under pressure.
There is some suggestion that it originated roughly 100 years ago, abstractly referring to the seizing motion of a car's clutch as it brings together parts when it is most necessary. Kelly's clutch reputation is unusual, as we usually associate it with the highest echelon of stars. It is what separates Michael Jordan from Karl Malone, Serena Williams from Jelena Jankovic. Instead Kelly has done it as a super-sub.
Hop, skip and thump penalty technique
First was her winning goal against Germany in the 2022 Euros final, poking in a corner during extra time to win the nation's first international tournament since 1966.
Amazing night for football tonight, here's that moment Chloe Kelly scored, a goal will all remember forever.
And with 22 goals they also take the title of most goals ever scored in the Euro finals from, wait for it.......Germany. #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/Gfjt5nemdg
— Yorkshire Bylines (@YorksBylines) July 31, 2022
At the World Cup a year later Kelly settled a trademark tense shoot-out with her trademark hop, skip and thump penalty technique. The ball might still be travelling had the net not been there.
Iconic penalties. Trademark Chloe Kelly. 💥
Some things never change. 👌 @Lionesses | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/2vzBfVMb2F
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 18, 2025
There was her winning penalty against Brazil in the Finalissima and her game-turning toil out wide to save last week's quarter-final against Sweden, before scoring another penalty in the shoot-out (below). Then the goal that sent England to a third consecutive final. One or two moments like these might be coincidental; this litany is conclusive.
How does she compare to other English contenders for the clutch crown across the women's and men's game?
Harry Kane with the winner 🫡 #OnThisDay four years ago, we booked our place in the #EURO2020 final after beating Denmark 2-1 💥 pic.twitter.com/H3rTyMKES9
— England (@England) July 7, 2025
What a goal Ella Toone 🤤🚀 #FIFAWWC #ENG #AUS pic.twitter.com/xnsOdz95pF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 16, 2023
COLE. PALMER. STRIKES. 💥
CHELSEA ARE IN FRONT! 🏆🔵
Into the bottom corner like a cold-blooded finisher 🔵🔥
Catch the @FIFACWC Final | July 13 | Free | https://t.co/i0K4eUtwwb | #FIFACWC #TakeItToTheWorld #CHEPSG pic.twitter.com/EmJzPAPlCJ
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) July 13, 2025
Mary Earps... that's it, that's the tweet 🤩
We had to bring back this legendary moment in honour of that well deserved #BBCSPOTY win 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bQvIec7zLD
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) December 19, 2023
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY:
🏴 England 2-1 Slovakia 🇸🇰
Jude Bellingham's insane 95th minute overhead kick saved us from one of the most embarrassing defeats in our history ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BKLLMXyAWW
— England Extra (@EnglandExtra) June 30, 2025
The aura of Chloe Kelly 💯 pic.twitter.com/hLKrfDalJe
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 18, 2025
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