Beth Mead: 'I get emotional receiving the love and support from the fans'

A Euros finalist again.

People sat we should be used to it but I don’t think that’s the case. The way we’ve gone through this tournament, the setbacks we’ve recovered from, the feeling will never get old.

The never-say-die attitude in this team, the belief we’re going to get back into the game, I don’t think there are many teams that have that ability. The determination every member of this squad has shown throughout the tournament is what has got us this far. 

I think we lacked intensity and energy in the first half against Italy and that was what I got told to bring more of when I came on. 

Was it the prettiest of performances? No. But the Italian team poses a lot of questions. They defended for their lives in the second half and extra time.

But we’ve got game-changers who bring that energy, Chloe and Mich popping up with the goals that won us the game.

I knew Hempo for years and I knew the ball she was going to put in for the equaliser. I tried to get across and affect it and without that run maybe the goalkeeper would’ve caught it. It caused a little bit of chaos, even though I didn’t score myself.

Up next in the Diary Room... It's Meado 👋

Talking the semi-final, celebrations and fan reactions pic.twitter.com/yz3IcWE458

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 24, 2025

I was just hoping I hadn’t been offside and then I stayed out the way, off the pitch, so VAR couldn’t say I was interfering.

I was happy to win the penalty, too. I got held back and I was relieved when I was confirmed. We backed Chloe 100% and even though it wasn’t her best, she got on the end of the rebound.

There was a lot going on. Obviously the roar when we scored and the energy in the stadium was pretty insane and they are the moments you play for.

It was heartbreaking for Italy, too – they were one minute away from the final and we had to show a little bit of respect towards them because I can understand how tough that would be.

But we were able to have a nice moment in the dressing room, playing Freed From Desire. We have high standards but we still have to enjoy these moments and we did that in the changing room.

I saw Tooney at the end of the game and she was obviously emotional. We showed some love to my mum and her dad, who obviously aren’t here with us, because we know they’d have been the first ones jumping around in the crowd and celebrating. 

It was a nice moment for us to connect and understand how we both felt in that moment. I’m sure they’re both up there having the best time and having a beer or two for us.

It’s hard to switch off after a game like that, with the emotions, the adrenaline, the energy. It was long night trying to process it all.

Now we have to focus on the final.

There are a lot of players with experience of winning trophies in the team, whether they’re young or old, and Sunday is another chance to experience that.

We’re recovering and preparing. We’ll have our tactics in place and be in the best possible position to go out there on Sunday and put in our best performance.

We appreciate the support from home so much, too.

I get emotional watching all the videos. The support and love that everyone’s been giving us has been incredible and I know everyone’s behind us. 

Keep it coming, give us some love and energy, and hopefully we can bring it home for you guys again.