Lucy Bronze: Lioness defender played entire Euro 2025 tournament with fractured tibia

In the quarter-final against Sweden when Wiegman had made all of her substitutions, she was shown on camera self-strapping support around her right leg during a break in play.

Having helped her side come back from 2-0 down to force a shootout, Bronze went on to score England’s winning penalty, slamming her spot-kick into the roof of the net.

Against Spain in Sunday’s showpiece, she was limping again but played through the pain and managed 105 minutes in the tense enounter, before leaving the pitch in tears as she was forced off.

“I just hurt my knee today on the other leg,” added Bronze. “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.

“But 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, in the end.”

Bronze’s right knee was heavily bandaged as she watched the penalty shootout and she joined in the post-match scenes mostly hopping on one leg.

Asked if the injury will stop her celebrating in Basel, Bronze said: “It’s very painful. I am going to party, I am going to enjoy it and that’s it.”

Wiegman confirmed Bronze’s injury after the game and said the experienced player has a “crazy mentality”.

“She had some issues with her tibia so of course we tried to manage that,” added the Dutchwoman. “When you play 120 minutes you’re not managing it are you?

“The whole team has a great mentality but she has a crazy mentality, it’s unbelievable.”