Kent’s Alessia Russo came off the bench as England’s Women beat Germany to become European champions.

Maidstone-born forward Russo, who started out at Bearsted FC, came on alongside Manchester United team-mate Ella Toone who broke the deadlock at Wembley before the Germans levelled through the impressive Lina Magull.

But England netted the all-important third goal of the game through a Chloe Kelly effort.

The Lionesses were handed a boost before the match had even started, with Germany forward Alexandra Popp - the joint top scorer in the tournament - injured in the warm-up.

The first half proved to be a nervy affair, as referee Kateryna Monzul became the main talking point in front of a massive crowd of 87,192.

She booked England striker Ellen White and attacking midfielder Georgia Stanway in the first period while only Germany’s Felicitas Rauch was cautioned for them prior to the half-time interval despite some physical challenges of their own.

The pick of the first-half opportunities for Sarina Wiegman’s side fell to White, England doing well to survive a frantic goalmouth scramble at the other end as goalkeeper Mary Earps eventually gathered under pressure.

Two minutes after the restart, substitute Tabea Waßmuth broke through and almost made an instant impact for the Germans but she was thwarted by Earps, before Magull fired wide minutes later.

England manager Wiegman brought on 23-year-old former St Simon Stock Catholic School student Russo for White in the 55th minute in a double substitution which also saw Toone replace Fran Kirby.

Seven minutes later, the Lionesses drew first blood when Toone latched on to a ball from Keira Walsh and dinked over Germany goalkeeper Merle Frohms to find the net and spark wild scenes.

But England were given a warning Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team were still in the game in the 65th minute when Magull’s strike thundered against the woodwork.

Indeed, Germany did level 11 minutes from time as Magull’s first-time effort flew past Earps.

England tried to ramp up the pressure in the final stages but the game went to extra-time.

Russo’s name went into the book with the encounter approaching the 100-minute mark in perhaps slightly harsh circumstances while the contest remained level at 1-1 at half-time in extra-time.

Penalties appeared to be looming, however England re-took the lead in the 111th minute when a corner was bundled home by Kelly for her first-ever international goal at an extraordinary time.

That still left nine minutes for England to navigate but Russo almost wrapped things up in the 117th minute, her shot being tipped over the bar by Frohms.

In truth, however, the Lionesses never looked like conceding for a second time and the final whistle ensured football did come home for the first time since 1966.

The final was a repeat of the 2009 Euros final which Germany won 6-2.