They think it is all over... it is now! At the final whistle, the winner was women's football. England's Lionesses faced Germany in a record-breaking final. Wembley Stadium: sold out. Millions watched at home. The biggest game of women's football ever played in England.

The German coach called it a "football feast" to end a spectacular tournament. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised the "insane" quality of play. And soccer superstar Ian Wright said the Euros must leave a "legacy" so all girls can follow their dreams.

It has been a long journey. A century ago, the FAThe Football Association is the governing body of football in England and the Channel Islands. It was founded in 1863. banned women from the beautiful game. After 50 years in exile, England played its first international women's match in 1972. On a children's ground in Glasgow, 400 fans paid 20p each to watch England beat Scotland 3-2.

The 2012 Olympics catapulted women's football to a "whole new level," according to commentator Guy Mowbray. Team GB beat favourites Brazil in front of 70,584, a record crowd for a British game. Nine days later, 80,203 turned out for the final between the US and Japan.

The game was on. By 2020, an estimated 3.4 million girls and women were playing in England. The BBC says ten times more people watched England yesterday, compared to their last appearance in the final in 2009. So is this a giant leap for equality?

The pay gap is closing. The FA now pays men and women the same for international fixtures. This year, the US team won a court battle to earn the same as men. And sponsors and broadcasters are supporting the game, bringing in more investment.

Attitudes are changing. "When I was at school", says 42-year-old fan Sonya Dunn, "a teacher laughed at me because I wanted to play football". This month, her three sons were "cheering every goal" as the Lionesses roared into the final. It is now "normal" for women to play football.

But researcher Stacey Pope says this is "not enough to end sexism and misogynyHatred of or discrimination against women. The term comes from the Ancient Greek "miso", meaning "hate", and "gyne", "woman".". Men dominate clubs and associations. Earlier this year, Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels apologised after saying women players are "more emotional" than men. Pope says these views are widespread.

Sam Kerr at Chelsea FC earns over £400,000, the highest-paid female footballer in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo makes £26.5m. And off the pitch, critics point out that Euros sponsors TikTok and Addidas underpay their female staff, whilst cheering on the women's game.

Ladies' football used to be popular. During World War One, female factory workers called munitionettes took up the sport. Their matches attracted larger crowds than the men and led to the 1921 ban, the FA warning that football "is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged".

That view is ancient history to the Stockport Dynamoes under-12s. Their coach Sara Sanders says they watch the Euros and say, "I did that, I can do that". More girls are signing up and asking about playing professionally.

Something has changed, but will it last? And how will it affect the rest of society?

Yes: Women's football has gained millions of new fans and thousands of new players. They bring more energy, excitement and money to the sport, raising its status to the same level as men's football.

No: Men rule society and sport. The average male player earns more than his female counterpart. Sportswomen have poorer training facilities, face everyday sexism and must work harder to reach their goals.

Or... This tournament is the first major event since the empty stadiums during the pandemic. People are hungry for spectacle and entertainment. It is too early to say whether they also want equality.

FA - The Football Association is the governing body of football in England and the Channel Islands. It was founded in 1863.

Misogyny - Hatred of or discrimination against women. The term comes from the Ancient Greek "miso", meaning "hate", and "gyne", "woman".