As England women hit a major milestone, their 500th game, let's look at the moments that defined and changed how women's football looks today. England has beaten all 56 opponents they’ve ever faced with a 100% win rate, and against 27 of those opponents, they have the best record. Their best result has been against Northern Ireland, against whom they have won all 13 meetings.
Since their first official match in 1972, they have won a game in every single calendar year. They have played more matches at Wembley than at any other home venue, with 17 fixtures. Their best year was 2022. Not only did they win the Euros, but they also picked up their most wins, 16, and remained unbeaten in all 20 games.
Lucy Bronze, the most-capped current member of the England squad, spoke about how the game has changed as the Lionesses reach 500 internationals.
She said: "Yeah, it's crazy to think that it's the 500th game but also... It's only been 500!
"It's amazing to be a part of it and the entire history of the Lionesses. It's something we have spoken a lot about in the camp this week.
"We had some of the older Lionesses come and speak to us in camp this week, sharing in the history of what it means from the very first game.
"We have heard the whole story of that and the first final that England were a part of. It's nice to share these stories because when you put on the England shirt, you know how much it means to so many people.
"For us to be part of the 500th game is really special for us."
Game 1- Scotland 2-3 England - 1972- Greenlock
The first official women's international fixture under conditions could only be described as a Sunday league football match. Frozen pitch, minimal preparation and almost no institutional support. Players wore ill-fitted, borrowed kits. Little structure was given to the game, direct play, or physical duel, but it was a legitimate game, and that was all that mattered. England were finally back on the international stage. Just 17 months after the ban on women playing football was lifted by the FA. The win was a bonus, physiologically, but the fixtures proved women's football was back and here to stay.
Game 36- Japan 0-4 England 1981- Kobe
It took 36 matches for England to finally play a match outside the continent at the Mundialito, the unofficial precursor to the World Cup. Players juggling jobs, unpaid leave and playing football, their journey alone was exhausting. On the pitch, England’s physicality and aerial strength contrasted sharply with Japan’s technical style. The victory demonstrated that England could adapt abroad, planting the seed for future global competitiveness long before FIFA recognition.
Game 41- England 7-1 Northern Ireland 1982- Crewe
More history was made by Kerry Davis' debut, which largely went unnoticed at the time but, on reflection, was historic and paved the way for players like Lauren James. She became the first black woman to represent England. She later went on to earn over 80 caps and was formerly the record goalscorer for the Lionesses, a title currently held by Ellen White. Her pace and directness gave England a new attacking dimension, while her presence marked a step towards a more representative national team. Despite the scoreline, women’s football still lacked media coverage, meaning the significance of this breakthrough wasn’t widely acknowledged until decades later.
Game 51- England 1-0 Sweden 1984- Luton
Many would assume 2022 was the first Euros final the Lionesses had been in, but in fact, they were in the inaugural final, which was played over two legs. Sweden won their home leg 1-0, and so did England. Lunda Curls' goal forced the game to penalties, but England were exposed to tournament pressure for the first time, losing the shoot-out. While this game proved that England could compete with the biggest countries, it also showed their lack of experience in decisive moments, a lack that would continue to be seen in many teams to come.
Game 119- Slovenia 0-10 England 1993- Ljubljana
The lionesses were previously under the Women's FA, but this was the first match after the FA took control of the women's game. This fixture symbolised a structural shift, and with it came a better-organised, better-equipped and better-prepared England side. The result itself mattered less than what it represented: uniform kit, improved logistics, and a more professional environment that players immediately felt.
Game 157- England 0-1 Sweden 1998- Dagenham
Up until the 157th game, England had no permanent full-time manager; in this game, Hope Powell took the role. She was not only the first woman to hold the position but also the first and only non-white person to manage an England national team. She managed the team from 1998 to 2013. Leading England to the UEFA Championship final in 2009 and the quarter-final of the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007 and 2011. She introduced clearer tactical discipline, long-term planning, and youth development structures. The defeat underlined how much work remained, but it marked the start of England thinking strategically rather than just surviving.
Game 218- England 3-2 Finland 2005- Manchester
The turn of the century and the introduction of modern technology brought the spotlight to women's football. This was the first time England had hosted a major tournament, and the opening match of the 2025 Euros at the City of Manchester Stadium saw the Lionesses play Finland in front of nearly 30,000 fans. Karen Carney’s late winner capped a match full of emotion and nerves. The result proved women’s football could attract large crowds if marketed properly, influencing future hosting decisions and FA investment.
Game 262- England 0-2 Iceland 2009- Colchester
Played shortly after the introduction of central contracts, this defeat exposed the gap between structural progress and on-field execution. Fitness and tactical consistency were still developing, but the contracts allowed players to train more seriously. Two months later, England reached the Euro 2009 final, validating the policy shift.
Game 335 – England 0–3 Germany 2014- Wembley Stadium
Despite the loss, England’s first match at the new Wembley was transformative. Over 45,000 fans attended, proving the national stadium could be a permanent home for the women’s team. The result highlighted Germany’s dominance, but psychologically, England belonged on that stage.
Game 349 – Germany 0–1 England 2015- World Cup third-place play-off
England’s first-ever win over Germany ended decades of inferiority. The match was cagey, physical, and tense, settled by a penalty in extra time. Winning bronze changed how players viewed themselves. No longer plucky challengers, but genuine contenders. It was the first-ever World Cup medal; they would have to wait until 2023 for a silver, and they are still in the hunt for gold.
Game 442 – England 2–1 Germany 2022- Wembley Stadium
The Euro 2022 final was the culmination of 50 years of progress. England controlled large periods tactically, matched Germany physically, and showed composure under pressure. Chloe Kelly’s extra-time winner delivered the first major trophy and redefined women’s football in England overnight. In front of a crowd of 87,192, it is still the highest attendance of any men's or women's final.
Game 456- England 1-1 Brazil Finalissima 2023- Wembley England won 4-2 on penalties
This was the first of its kind, the European champions taking on the South American Champions in a single-match format. This game was Sarina Wiegman's 30th game in charge and extended her record-breaking unbeaten streak; it was England's 10th match at Wembley Stadium. Ella Toone scored in the 23rd minute, and late drama in the 93rd minute saw Brazilian substitute Andressa Alves fire home an equaliser from close range, forcing a shootout. Only Kerolin scored in the shootout for Brazil, and again Chloe Kelly scored for England, enough trophies.
Game 461 – Spain 1–0 England 2023, World Cup final
England’s first World Cup final exposed tactical evolution still in progress. Spain’s control in midfield limited England’s transitions, but reaching the final abroad confirmed England as a global powerhouse, not just European champions.
Game 492 – England 1–1 Spain 2025, Euro final, Basel – England win on penalties
This match defined the modern Lionesses: resilience, belief, and psychological strength. England repeatedly recovered from setbacks and held their nerve in the shoot-out. Winning a major tournament on foreign soil completed their transformation from pioneers into serial champions.
Game 500- Iceland 0-1 England 2026
Alessia Russo scored the decisive goal in this game in the 21st minute, her 30th for her country. As England managed to see out the victory thanks to some incredible saves by Hannah Hampton, she said in response to her performance, “I was just doing my job.” This game helps maintain their top-of-the-table position in their group for World Cup qualifiers after winning all four of their games so far, with the next being the most crucial against Spain, which could determine who automatically qualifies and who does not.
1970s - P31 W20 D3 L8 F83 A32
Win percentage: 64.5%
1980s - P56 W32 D11 L13 F133 A49
Win percentage: 57.1%
1990s - P77 W32 D12 L33 F137 A113
Win percentage: 41.6%
2000s - P107 W54 D20 L33 F205 A142
Win percentage: 50.5%
2010s - P145 W89 D25 L31 F310 A114
Win percentage: 61.4%
2020s - P83 W56 D13 L14 F262 A61
Win percentage: 67.5%
In which competitions?
Internationals - P175 W86 D28 L61 F330 A222
Euro Qualifiers - P86 W57 D16 L13 F231 A62
World Cup Qualifiers - P67 W51 D7 L9 F255 A31
EURO Finals - P44 W22 D6 L16 F84 A64
World Cup Finals - P33 W20 D5 L8 F56 A34
Cyprus Cup - P28 W18 D4 L6 F56 A30
SheBelieves Cup - P15 W5 D3 L7 F17 A16
Mundialito - P12 W6 D4 L2 F19 A12
Nations League - P12 W7 D1 L4 F31 A14
Algarve Cup - P8 W4 D1 L3 F21 A12
Arnold Clark Cup – P6 W4 D2 L0 F16 A4
Albena Cup - P3 W0 D2 L1 F1 A3
Four Nations Tournament - P3 W0 D2 L1 F1 A3
Dewellbon Cup - P2 W1 D0 L1 F2 A2
Peace Cup - P2 W0 D2 L0 F0 A0
Three Nations - P2 W2 D0 L0 F9 A1
Finalissima - P1 W0 D1 L0 F1 A1
Total: P499 W283 D84 L132 F1129 A511
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