The image of Chloe Kelly tearing off her jersey in a state of rapture has become instantly iconic.
After poking in England’s game-winner over Germany in the waning minutes of Sunday’s UEFA Women’s Euro final, Kelly whirled her kit over her head to the cheers of a sold-out Wembley Stadium crowd.
To many, Kelly’s celebration resembled U.S. women’s national team legend Brandi Chastain’s famous sports bra celebration from the 1999 World Cup.
Chastain took to Twitter on Sunday to congratulate Kelly, writing, “I see you Chloe Kelly well done. Enjoy the free rounds of pints and dinners for the rest of your life from all of England. Cheers!”
Kelly’s dramatic late-game finish lifted the Lionesses to a 2-1 victory, clinching England’s first major tournament championship since 1966.
The 24-year-old’s triumph also caught the attention of Australian soccer star Sam Kerr of Chelsea, who tweeted her praise of the celebration.
Dope dope dope celly @Chloe_Kelly98 https://t.co/pTjNMue1Lv
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) July 31, 2022
“I just went mental,” Kelly said after the match. “Honestly, I didn’t know what to do! But I think it was an amazing celebration because…what a tournament! I didn’t think about it. I didn’t plan it. It was alright, wasn’t it?”
The moment is already being heralded as a dramatic sea change in English football, with the women’s game finally front and center in a nation that only lifted its ban on women’s football in 1971.