Winners win trophies. That was the simple message that Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor gave her players before Sunday’s League Cup final. It clearly got through, too, because her Blues put on a performance of champions to beat Manchester United and win the first silverware of the season, while sending a message to the rest of England - and Europe - that, despite a disappointing campaign so far, they are still a huge threat.
Lauren James' brilliance took centre stage as Chelsea retained the Women's League Cup on Sunday, the England international once again coming back to haunt Manchester United as her goal was backed up by Aggie Beever-Jones' opportunistic finish to give the Blues a 2-0 win and the first piece of silverware of the season. In a tight game of few chances, James' clinical touch looked set to prove decisive before Beever-Jones made sure of the win in the latter stages, rounding off a remarkable effort from a Chelsea side plagued by injuries.
Manchester United came up short in Sunday's Women's League Cup final, losing 2-0 to Chelsea after a catastrophic Dominique Janssen error gifted Lauren James the opening goal. Marc Skinner's side did have plenty of the play in Bristol across the course of the 90 minutes, but their hopes of a fightback were extinguished by substitute Aggie Beever-Jones in the second half.
USWNT sensation Alyssa Thompson has lifted the lid on her daunting transition from Angel City FC to the relentless spotlight of the Women's Super League. Trading the sunny comforts of her Los Angeles hometown for a blockbuster move to Chelsea, the 20-year-old forward revealed the leap was so intimidating that she braced herself to go four months without finding the back of the net in a star-studded Blues squad.
Chelsea’s season hasn’t gone to plan so far. After romping to a sixth successive Women’s Super League crown last year, going unbeaten through all 22 games to set multiple records, the Blues’ title defence has fallen incredibly flat. Sat nine points behind leaders Manchester City with six games to go, it’s simply not been good enough for a club with such high standards.
Chelsea will be without captain Millie Bright for Sunday's League Cup final against Manchester United, dealing the Blues a big blow in their bid to retain the trophy. However, head coach Sonia Bompastor will be able to welcome back another key player this weekend, giving her side a necessary boost amid a flurry of injuries.
Who has won the most European Championship titles?
Spain are the most successful side in the European Championship, having lifted the coveted title four times. Their first-ever title came in 1964. After a long wait of 44 years, La Roja won the trophy in 2008 and successfully defended it in 2012 under the-then boss Vicente del Bosque. They won the most recent edition in 2024 and set a record of winning every single game en route to glory.
How many teams are in the European Championship?
There are 24 teams in the European Championships ever since the expansion in 2016. Initially there were only four teams in the Euros, before that number was doubled to eight in 1980, and then to 16 countries in 1996.
Who has made the most European Championship appearances ever?
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has made 30 appearances in the European Championship, having featured in six consecutive editions. He won the tournament in 2016.
Who is the all-time top scorer in the European Championship?
No player has scored more goals in the European Championship than the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old has scored 14 goals in 30 games in total, five more than any other player.
Who is the oldest player ever in the European Championship and how old was he?
Portugal centre-back Pepe was aged 41 years and 130 days when his team took on France in the quarter-final of the 2024 edition, thus becoming the oldest player to ever feature in the European Championship.
Who is the youngest player ever in the European Championship and how old was he?
Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal has been creating a host of records since breaking out at Barcelona in 2023. He was a crucial contributor in Spain's EURO 2024 victory, and also became the youngest player ever to feature in the European Championship finals, making his debut in the tournament at the age of 16 years and 338 days.
Which famous players have played in the European Championship?
Paolo Maldini, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Manuel Neuer, Andres Iniesta, Iker Casillas, Eden Hazard, Michel Platini, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Gareth Bale are some of the most prominent names to have represented their nations at the European Championship.
Which famous managers have managed in the European Championship?
Roberto Mancini, Ronald Koeman, Guus Hiddink, Dino Zoff, Antonio Conte, Andriy Shevchenko, Luis Enrique, Miguel Munoz, Kevin Keegan, Frank Rijkaard, Arrigo Sacchi, Julian Nagelsmann, etc are some of the most famous managers to have managed in the European Championship.