England 1 (3) Spain 1 (1)
July 27 – England, starring Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, retained their European title defeating Spain 3-1 from the penalty spot following a 1-1 comeback draw in the final of Euro 2025.
The Lionesses simply did not give up. On the biggest stage of all, against the most noble of opponents, they transcended themselves again to draw level in regular time, cling on in extra time and prevail in the penalty shootout with two saves from Hannah Hampton and the deciding spot kick from Chloe Kelly to defend their European crown.
It was the first time that an England senior team have won back-to-back major tournaments. It was also the first time that England have triumphed in a senior tournament on foreign soil. They did so by beating world champions and tournament favourites Spain, erasing the painful memories of that 1-0 defeat against La Roja in the final of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
And yet, England were second best for most of the evening against a superior Spain, who only had themselves to blame. Their profligacy in front of goal cost them a maiden European title.
The Spanish had begun the final so well. Mariona Caldentey’s 25th-minute goal encapsulated the very best of Spanish football, a culture and style so distinct and so ingrained that La Roja are the dominant force in the international men’s and women’s game.
The Spanish passed their way through the English defence with a one-two between Ona Batlle and Aitana Bonmati and a weighted cross from Athenea Del Castillo. Free in the box, Caldentey headed home. It was a wonderful flowing goal, the result of an intricately woven pattern and great patience from the Spanish, who had been frustrated by the English defence.
The word champions were ruthless. Early on, the dangerous Esther Gonzalez signaled to England the need to be prudent. The Lionesses’ defending was however sloppy. Lucy Bronze failed to mark Caldentey and she held her head in her hands. The defence had been a yard too late. That was an unforgivable mistake against a side of Spain’s quality.
The goal was symbolic of the difference between the two finalists: the build-up play, the triangulation, the intuition and the execution. It was Spain’s football culture on display. They were precise in the passing and pressing. At times, it felt as if Spain had an extra player on the pitch.
England too had bright moments in the first half: a front-foot start with an angled attempt from Alessia Russo had Spain wobbling at the back. In a moment of insanity, Cata Coll played a loose pass which Lauren Hemp intercepted but the Spanish goalkeeper made amendments with an outstanding, technical save at her near post – Hemp was to miss further chances. From the edge of the box, Keira Walsh shot wide. England didn’t take their opportunities and were punished by Caldentey, much the fate Germany had suffered in the last four.
It was the third time in the tournament that England had fallen behind. Twice, against Sweden and Italy in the knockout phase, they masterminded stunning comebacks. Indefatigable, England leveled in 57th minute when Alessia Russo’s header from a Chloe Kelly cross left Coll no chance. England had at times scrambled but the equaliser was a testament to their resilience with Kelly in the role of super sub. In between Spain’s central defenders, Russo’s finish was composed.
The momentum swung England’s way and all of sudden, they were bullying Spain off the ball. Kelly came within inches of a second with a low drive across the face of goal, but neither side found a winner. England had struggled to get out of their own half, but after the pause they were more composed. Jessica Carter’s return to the side strengthened the defence. She had been racially abused during the tournament and dropped from the team for the semi-final, but against Spain, the number sixteen was a rock in defence.
She needed to be so even more when Spain introduced Vicky Lopez and Salma Paralluelo for extra time. The pair caused havoc, the last 30 minutes becoming a war of attrition for England in their third consecutive extra time. By contrast, Spain had needed extra time only against Germany and they seized the initiative. With a flick, Paralluelo – in a heart-in-mouth moment for England – almost found a winner after Bonmati had released Batlle on the right.
Bonmati was increasingly pulling the strings, driving forward with the ball at her feet and seeing space where no one else saw it and pinning England back. The Lionesses were clinging on to their European title faced with everything they had, helped by both Lopez and Paralluelo failure to capitalise on their team’s late burst of energy.
England had shown heart, fight and that they were more than the sum of their parts. Across the three knockout matches, England had led for a total of four minutes and yet they triumphed. Hampton saved two Spanish spot kicks and just like in 2022, Kelly netted the decider. England are the European champions again.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1754111683labto1754111683ofdlr1754111683owedi1754111683sni@i1754111683tnuk.1754111683ardni1754111683mas1754111683