Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman becomes first manager EVER to reach five international tournament finals in a row
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LIONESSES boss Sarina Wiegman has made history after England beat Italy 2-1 to reach the European Championship final on Tuesday night.
Wiegman, 55, has become the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach FIVE international tournament finals in a row.
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Sarina Wiegman has become the first-ever men's or women's manager to reach five international tournament finals in a row
Credit: Getty
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Wiegman led England to the Euro 2025 final with a dramatic win over Italy on Tuesday night
Credit: Getty
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The Lionesses needed late goals from two supersubs to win 2-1 in extra-time
Credit: Getty
The Dutch tactician has sensationally led England to three consecutive major finals off the back of the two finals she helped the Netherlands reach during her time as boss of her home nation.
While in charge of the Netherlands side, Wiegman led the country to the 2017 Women's Euros and the 2019 Women's World Cup final.
Of those two finals the experienced coach tasted success with victory over Denmark in the Euros, but suffered heartbreak in the World Cup final with defeat to the USA.
Her time in charge of England has followed a similar pattern.
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Wiegman took the Lionesses to the Euro 2022 final at Wembley, beating Germany to eventually lift the trophy.
While her second major tournament, the World Cup in 2023, saw England fall at the final hurdle with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain.
Now Wiegman has another chance to taste glory as her England side booked yet another final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Italy at Euro 2025.
England left it late to overturn a one-goal deficit when super-sub Michelle Agyemang hit a drilled effort in the sixth minute of injury time to force extra-time.
Sarina Wiegman's consecutive finals
Here's a look at how Wiegman's sides have got on in her five consecutive finals...
Netherlands - UEFA Women's Euro 2017
Won 4-2 vs Denmark
Netherlands - FIFA Women's World Cup 2019
Lost 2-0 vs USA
England - UEFA Women's Euro 2022
Won 2-1 vs Germany
England - FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
Lost 1-0 vs Spain
UEFA Women's Euro 2025
Final vs Spain/Germany, Sunday July 27
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Wiegman's Dutch side won the Euros in 2017
Credit: Getty
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They were beaten by the USA in the 2019 World Cup final
Credit: Getty
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Her first major final as England boss resulted in European glory
Credit: AP
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The Lionesses were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in 2023
Credit: Reuters
While there was even more drama in the additional spell when Chloe Kelly stepped up to take a penalty with just seconds remaining of the game.
The Euro 2022 hero saw her spot-kick saved, but was quickest to react as she poked home the rebound and sent the Lionesses through to their third consecutive final.
Now Wiegman will be hoping she can translate her fifth final into a third major trophy by setting England up for victory against the winner of Wednesday's semi-final between Germany and Spain.
Speaking after her side's late dramatics, Wiegman said of England reaching a third consecutive final: "We've seen so many different England teams now and we never give up.
"We say we can win by any means, I think against Sweden [in the quarter-finals] with the penalty shootout we were a bit lucky that they missed two.
"I think now we are going for that goal and we take risks, but it gives us something.
"This team just keeps going and we never give up".
Now the nation - and King Charles - are willing Wiegman and her brave Lionesses over the line to win another major trophy in Sunday's showpiece final in Switzerland.
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Michelle Agyemang's drilled effort drew England level
Credit: Reuters
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Chloe Kelly's late penalty was saved by Laura Giuliani
Credit: Reuters
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Kelly got her toe to her rebounded penalty to win the game with seconds remaining on the clock
Credit: PA
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