German media has labelled England's Euro 2022 victory a "scam" after they took issue with a penalty that should've been awarded.
The Lionesses claimed tournament glory for the first time thanks to an extra-time victory over their opponents, who have dominated the Euros. Chloe Kelly's extra-time strike was the defining moment after the two teams couldn't be separated in normal time.
With the game goalless, though, Germany felt aggrieved they were not awarded a penalty. The ball looked to strike the arm of England skipper Leah Williamson during a goal mouth scramble. Referee Kateryna Monzul didn't give anything at the time and, after a review, neither did VAR.
It has left those in Germany fuming with leading publication Bild claimed the two-time world champions were "scammed" and "cheated". They also added: "Wembley fraud again! Even with video evidence, we are being scammed. In the 2-1 defeat after extra time we are cheated again almost exactly 56 years after the Wembley goal scandal."
Their comments come amid continued debate as to whether one of Geoff Hurst's goals in the 1966 final did actually cross the line during England's 4-2 win.
Germany boss Martina Voss-Tecklenburg conceded that the error was not acceptable. She said: "At this level, in the final of the European Championships, this shouldn’t happen. I’d like to have a discussion why did no one look at it? This is something I would really like to ask. It happened to us today, but if it had happened to them I would feel the same. It really bothers me."
She also added: "I’m thinking about the situation at 0-0, there was a clear situation in the box which was a clear handball. VAR looked at it but didn’t give it. Why didn’t the referee look at it? That hurt a little."
England cared little about their fortuitous call and revelled in their victory. Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman said: “I think what we’ve done is really incredible. I don’t think I’ve really realised what we’ve done, because I’ve not followed everything, but we know all of England is behind us. We have had so much support from our fans and I’m so proud of the team, the players and the staff. I will need a couple of days to realise what we have done.
She also added: “When I took the job you hope one thing, but we knew there was quality and such big potential in this country. You hope things will work out. That was one of my personal challenges. My challenge was to bring people together from another culture and it worked out. It’s something you dream of and hope for.”
