‘You are a national hero:’ Bobby Zamora hails Euro 2022 match-winner and lifelong QPR fan Chloe Kelly after she mimicked his 2014 play-off final celebration during the Lionesses’ 2-1 triumph against Germany
- Chloe Kelly’s extra-time winner crowned the Lionesses Euro 2022 champions
- The Man City star whipped off her shirt in celebration after netting the winner
- She revealed that the celebration was inspired by QPR legend Bobby Zamora
- He scored a last-minute winner to earn QPR promotion via the playoffs in 2014
- Zamora has congratulated the Lionesses star and branded her a ‘national hero’
Euro 2022 match-winner and lifelong Queens Park Rangers fan Chloe Kelly has been congratulated by childhood hero Bobby Zamora, who inspired her iconic shirtless celebration against Germany on Sunday.
The Lionesses star scored the winner in extra-time to crown England European champions and celebrated by whipping of her shirt, bearing resemblance to USA legend Brandi Chastain – who did the same when she scored the decisive penalty at the 1999 World Cup Final.
But Ealing-born Kelly revealed that the celebration was actually inspired by Loftus Road favourite Zamora, who netted a last-minute winner against Derby in the 2014 play-off final to earn her beloved QPR promotion to the Premier League.
Chloe Kelly whipped off her shirt in celebration after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final
Kelly was at Wembley when Bobby Zamora scored a last-minute goal to seal promotion in 2014
Kelly was part of the Wembley crowd that day and always dreamed of producing a ‘Zamora moment’ at the national stadium.
‘I just want to say congratulations,’ Zamora said on Good Morning Britain. ‘I’m touched obviously to have you speak my name on such an amazing moment.
‘And you have created the greatest English football female moment ever – you are an absolute national hero. You should be so proud of yourself.’
The QPR legend went on Good Morning Britain to congratulate the Lionesses star on Tuesday
Zamora also admitted that he was stuck at the airport during the Lionesses’ showdown against Germany and had to watch the final on a another woman’s phone.
He added: ‘I couldn’t get it up on my phone so I ended up almost man-marking a lady in the queue, looking over her shoulder. It wouldn’t have surprised me if she turned around to give me a slap.
‘I managed to watch the last couple of minutes and it was unbelievable really.
Kelly helped clinch England’s first major tournament success since the World Cup in 1966
‘I’m so proud of the England women’s team and [Kelly], you are a national hero now. Congratulations.’
Kelly replied: ‘As a QPR fan, you dream of moments like this.
‘To be at Wembley that day was special and now to experience it myself was amazing.’