Football Comes Home (Again) 🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Happy Tuesday, TWG readers!

England pulled it off! I am so happy for the Lionesses, who faced so much adversity this tournament and responded to every challenge with grit and determination. They made the Euros a must-watch event. To have them come from behind three times in the knockout rounds, to have Chloe Kelly win it in PKs, to learn that Lucy Bronze was playing all tournament on a fractured tibia…it’s the stuff movies are written about. A huge congratulations to the entire England team—I know they’ll be enjoying their celebrations.

TWG has covered the Euros every step of the way and we’ve had some incredible guests and co-hosts. Ali Riley and I went live after the final, plus we had the likes of Lindsey Heaps, Crystal Dunn, and Georgia Stanway join us for our coverage throughout the tournament. I’m consistently blown away by my friends and their willingness to team up with TWG to bring our listeners the inside scoop on everything women’s football. A huge thank you to everyone who made our Euros coverage possible, especially you all—our listeners!

I’m reveling in post-penalty kick glory, not just for England, but for my hometown Vermont Green men’s team, who find themselves in the USL League 2 National Championship this weekend after winning the semifinal in dramatic fashion. Soccer is in the air here in Vermont and I’m enjoying every minute.

Thanks so much for being here with us!

Love,
Sam

England are champions of Europe AGAIN 🏆

After Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey put La Roja ahead early, England battled back just as they had in all three of their knockout matches this summer to complete yet another stirring comeback. The Lionesses cemented their status as comeback queens and back-to-back European champions with a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout win over Spain this Sunday in Basel, Switzerland. The victory secured England’s second straight Euro title, an achievement made all the more remarkable by the adversity they endured (one example: veteran right back Lucy Bronze played 105 minutes while visibly in pain, and since revealed she played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia).

In the second half Mariona’s Arsenal teammate Alessia Russo scored a history-making equalizer with the assist from fellow Gunner Chloe Kelly. In penalties, Chloe Kelly, always cool as ice, scored the decisive goal in England’s second straight match this summer, and second straight Euro victory after scoring the match-winner at Wembley in 2022. After a difficult year facing uncertainty at the club and national team level, Kelly was pivotal from the bench in Switzerland and told the press after the game: “Thank you to whoever wrote me off, I’m grateful.” 

• Sam's Take 🗣️: Iconic.

England’s list of immense performances is long: 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang earned Young Player of the Tournament after debuting for the Lionesses mere months ago. Leah Williamson became the first England captain to win a trophy on foreign soil. Hannah Hampton blocked and saved her way into history books during her first tournament as England’s number one keeper. A word must be saved for England’s Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman, who’s now won three consecutive Euro trophies with two separate national teams, once with the Dutch and twice with the English. 🏆🏆🏆

More: Euros win one of the most magnificent heists in the history of English sport

Also: Michelle Agyemang hits high notes with ease and takes spotlight in her stride

📬 Enjoying The Women’s Game? Check out our other MiB newsletters here:

🐦‍⬛ The Raven: Get an update on the most important topics in men’s football from around the world, every Monday and Friday.

🇺🇸 USMNT Only: Your weekly digest featuring the biggest stories in the U.S. men’s game, all leading up to next year’s World Cup.

Nigeria win a remarkable 10th WAFCON trophy 🏆🇳🇬

The soaring Super Falcons are 10-time champions of Africa after beating Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic comeback last Saturday in Rabat. Nigeria’s remarkable feat comes at the expense of a hopeful host nation, as the Atlas Lionesses placed second for their second straight tournament (both of which they hosted) after losing to South Africa in 2022. Morocco scored twice in the first 24 minutes (including 34-year-old Morocco captain and Levante Badalona forward Ghizlane Chebbak’s fifth goal of the tournament, sealing the WAFCON golden boot) and led 2-0 until the 64th minute. But Nigeria propelled a momentous late comeback with a penalty followed by two goals shortly after, including 24-year-old PSG midfielder Jennifer Echegini’s match-winner in the 88th minute. 

More: Nigeria stun Morocco to win 10th WAFCON title

Join Sam Mewis and The Women's Game LIVE in NYC 🗽

Join Sam for The Women’s Game Live! in NYC presented by Ally on Thursday, Aug. 7 at Racket NYC. It promises to be a night celebrating the intensity and rising stakes of one of the NWSL’s fiercest East Coast rivalries: Gotham FC vs. the Washington Spirit. Dive into the history, the stars, and the storylines that have turned this clash into must-watch football. Grab your TICKETS RIGHT HERE, we can't wait to be with you. 🎟️

PLUS: Rivalry Weekend is almost here! You can see Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett and Gotham FC host Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit in a rematch of the 2024 NWSL semifinals at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Sports Illustrated Stadium. This match promises to be huge, with special appearances from Ciara and Kylie Kelce. The great folks at Gotham have even given us this link for a special 20% off tickets for fans of The Women's Game. Match tickets here.

Copa América Final THIS SATURDAY 🌎

The 10th Copa América Feminina wrapped up its group stage last week, with hosts Ecuador falling short of the semifinal after losing to both Chile and Argentina in their final matches of Group A. 

On Monday, the first semifinal saw 2006 champions Argentina play 2023 World Cup quarter-finalists Colombia, with Las Cafeteras winning 4-5 in penalties after finishing the match 0-0 before that. They’ll now face the winner of Uruguay and eight-time champions Brazil (7 p.m. ET, FOX). The final takes place this Saturday, Aug. 2 (5 p.m. ET, FOX). 

NWSL IS BACK 😎

The National Women’s Soccer League commences the second half of its season this weekend. After a prolonged summer break, matchday 14 of 26 features a few must-watch summer tests: 

Racing Louisville vs. Kansas City Current (8 p.m. ET Friday, Aug. 1, Prime Video) 

Halfway through the season, NWSL’s first-place Current are the team to beat. They lead the league by eight points with 11 wins, no draws and just two losses in 2025. They’ll play a scrappy Racing Louisville in Kentucky (where the home side beat reigning champs Orlando Pride just before the break) with both teams likely missing a few players due to ongoing international duty for South America’s Copa América Feminina. 

Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns (12:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 3, ABC, ESPN+)

The fourth-place Washington Spirit play the fifth-place Portland Thorns in the marquee battle of the weekend which airs on big ABC. With just a point between them, both are sure-fire playoff contenders rife with USWNT talent on either side. Trinity Rodman, who’s been absent since early April, recently returned to training and could feature for the Spirit. 

• Sam's Take 🗣️: With Rivalry Week fast approaching, keep your eyes peeled for our very special interviews dropping over the next couple of weeks, highlighting the best of the NWSL rivalries, brought to you by our friends at Ally. Up next is Sam Hiatt, who takes us inside Portland vs. Seattle.

🥤 Olipop power everythin do here at The Women’s Game. You can use code TWG20 for 20% off your first order at drinkolipop.com/TWG20.

News and Notes 🗞️

• Denver NWSL has officially unveiled their name: Denver Summit FC. The 16th team to join the fray sets off next season alongside fellow expansion side Boston Legacy FC. 

• Forteen clubs in England’s WSL will trial alcohol in the stands this season. This comes after a trial last season in England’s WSL2 (formerly called the Championship), and now includes seven clubs in each division. Top flight teams to trial alcohol include Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Everton and newly promoted London City Lionesses. 

• Gotham and USWNT forward Midge Purce and defender Emily Sonnett were on the late show with Seth Meyers this past week. Among other things, the dynamic pair of NWSL champions debated whose position is more difficult.

• NEW USWNT GAMES JUST DROPPED: after a long break, the squad gets back together this October with three games in Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Missouri. The first two friendlies will see the U.S. play Euro 2025 participants (and the USA’s 2023 World Cup Group E opponent) Portugal twice in back-to-back tests, with ceremonies to honor retired legends Alex Morgan and Alyssa Naeher beforehand. The opponent for the third friendly in Kansas City is TBD.

It’s TWG Trivia Time 🤔

Welcome back to our weekly trivia game!

This week’s question: Despite not scoring for Spain in Sunday’s Euro Final, Gotham striker Esther González clinched the tournament golden boot after scoring four goals this summer in Switzerland. In 2022, González scored one goal during La Roja’s Euro run in England. Who did she score against?  

Respond to this email (or reply here) for a chance to win a coveted TWG patch.

Last week’s answer: Alex Morgan’s first individual ESPY trophy was for Best Female Athlete at the 2019 ESPYs. 🏆

This week’s winner is Lindsay Stanislow. Thanks to everyone who replied!

Good Reads 👩‍💻

i. From Meg Linehan in The Athletic, ‘Fox evolved its approach to women’s soccer with the Euros, were the changes enough or too late?’

ii. From Beau Dure in The Guardian, ‘WNBA truths and fictions: the real state of the league in 2025’

Moment of Joy 🤸

Sara writes:

Hello Sam from Seattle!! 

I’ve been a longtime listener and want to let you know your friendship with Lynn makes my heart sing. You two are hilarious. 

I’m writing in because I think it’s so fun that you know Brianna Cope! I grew up in the same hometown as her. I was a soccer diehard while my best friend surfed alongside Brianna. I love the Sam/Kelly and Brianna crossover! How fun. 

Thanks and please tell Lynn that I am manifesting running into her and Marley at a Seattle farmers market one of these weekends.

Cheers! 

Sara

Sam writes:

Hi Sara! Thank you for the kind note! I had the best time hanging with Brianna Cope when we did our Tahoe race last weekend. She’s so fun and really taught me how to up my content game.

Thanks for writing in!

Sam

📝 Want to be featured in next week’s TWG newsletter? Send Sam an email! All your questions, comments, and dog (or wedding) photos can be sent to [email protected]