500 Games of History: How the Lionesses changed Women’s Football in England

The Lionesses face Iceland in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers on Saturday 18th April, but this game is about far more than just the three points. The match marks the 500th game of the Lionesses, since their first official game in 1972. Since then, they have consistently rewritten the narrative of women’s football.

This monumental game provides an opportunity to reflect on that journey.  

Where it all began

Before the first official game, women’s football was banned by the FA in 1921 after labelling the game unsuitable for women and “too much for a women’s physical frame”. As a result, women’s football was sidelined for 50 years and confined to public parks. However, after increased pressure, the ban was lifted in 1971, and the first official Lionesses game followed soon after in November 1972.  

The Lionesses’ first official match took place in Greenock where England defeated Scotland in front of a crowd of 400, a stark contrast to the average attendances the Lionesses see today. This result represented the rebirth of women’s football in England. 

Soon after, in their first major tournament, the Lionesses found themselves in their first European final after defeating Denmark 3-1 over two legs. Facing Sweden in a two-legged final, the tie ended 1-1, forcing the final to a penalty shootout. Sweden unfortunately won 4-3 on penalties, but although the game didn’t end with a trophy, it did end with belief, which carried the Lionesses to their first match at Wembley. 

The Lionesses played at Wembley for the first time in 1989, ahead of an England Men’s game against Chile. Around 3,000 spectators arrived early to watch the Lionesses face Sweden, marking the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Football Association. Although the game ended in another defeat, it signalled much more than just the 20th anniversary of the WFA; women’s football had arrived and was beginning to claim its place on the national stage.  

Monumental Changes and Progression

1993 saw a major turning point when the FA took over the women’s game, providing more finances and new resources, before England Women’s World Cup debut in 1995. They reached the quarter finals but faced a 3-0 loss against Germany. Despite an early exit, this tournament marked a significant step towards professionalisation.  

Another monumental shift came in 1998, as Hope Powell was named the first ever full-time head coach. A trailblazer on and off the pitch, she led the Lionesses to six major tournaments, including a home European Championship in 2005 and another European Final in 2009.  

The home tournament in 2005 showed the world that the Lionesses were capable of bringing in big crowds as just under 30,000 fans attended the opening game of the tournament. Attendances continued to impress across the tournament, with the final between Germany and Norway being attended by 21,000 fans.

On top of this, strong coverage from the BBC signalled the value women’s football held in England. Then came the next European Championship in 2009, where England progressed to the final, however, it was a familiar outcome in the final, as it resulted in another loss, this time a 6-2 defeat to Germany.  

Fast forward to the 2015 World Cup and the Lionesses secured their first World Cup medal in the third placed play off. A dramatic extra time penalty from Fara Williams clinched the victory for the bronze medal, as England beat Germany for the first time in just over 30 years. Despite time differences, viewing figures reached up to 2.5 million each game, once again showing the Lionesses’ growing national significance.  

By 2019, progressing far in major tournaments had become the expectation.England Women’s successful run to the semi finals included sold-out stadiums across France and standout performances, until they came to a halt against the United States. The game ended 2-1 as the Lionesses came close once again to a final, but after Steph Houghton’s 84th minute penalty was saved, they exited at the last four for a third major tournament in a row.  

The Sarina Wiegman Era

Then came 2022, potentially the most memorable moment in Lionesses history. The year when the Lionesses soon became a household name as they wrote their own history following on from so many tournaments without a trophy.  

England hosted another European Championship on home soil, with huge crowds following the Lionesses everywhere they went. Memorable moments like Stanway’s rocket in the quarter final to Russo’s back heel in the semi final led the Lionesses to the final where Wiegman’s Lionesses faced Germany. England wrote their names into history after an extra time winner from Chloe Kelly secured the 2-1 win and clinched the European Title in front of a record-breaking crowd of just over 87,000. 

That victory marked a new era of the Lionesses. The Lionesses carried this support into the World Cup in 2023 as they entered as favourites, despite the absence of Captain, Williamson and striker, Mead due to their ACL injures. With Bright as captain the Lionesses battled past Nigeria on penalties and had a historical 3-1 win over Australia in the semi final. This took the Lionesses to their first ever World Cup final where their historical run ended in heartbreak after a slim 1-0 loss to Spain, however the Lionesses continued to make history despite the loss. 

Ahead of the 2025 Euros, expectations were higher than they’d ever been. This pressure seemed to prove too much in the opening match as they were facedwith a 2-1 defeat against France, however they entered the knock out stages after impressive wins against the Netherlands and Wales. From there on, their campaign was defined by resilience that the players called “Proper English”.

A dramatic comeback against Sweden in the quarter finals, including a late goal from Bronze and the equaliser from teenager, Michelle Agyemang, kept their campaign alive. Another last-gasp moment from Agyemang in the 90+6th minute of the semi final against Italy took the game to extra time, before Kelly’s extra time winner which sent the Lionesses to their third consecutive major tournament final. 

In the final, England faced Spain once again. After Caldentey opened the scoring for Spain, Russo’s second half equaliser forced the game to penalties. Hannah Hampton stepped up and showed up as she saved two penalties, includingBallon D’or winner Aitana Bonmatí as England successfully retained their title becoming the first England team to defend a major trophy.  

And now, England make more history as they pull on an England shirt and step out onto the pitch for the 500th time. From playing in front of hundreds in 1972 to selling out stadiums in 2026, they have become history makers, household names, and inspirations.  

As Leah Williamson said, the Lionesses play for everyone that came before them, and everyone still to come.