England are Women’s European champions again after beating Spain in a dramatic Euro 2025 penalty shootout final in Basel, Switzerland.
In a repeat of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final, this was also a tight affair – but this time England came out on top to avenge that loss.
Chloe Kelly was the Lionesses’ matchwinner, just like she was in the Euro 2022 final against Germany, scoring the decisive spot-kick as England won 3-1 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra-time.
As well Kelly’s penalty, Hannah Hampton wrote herself in Lionesses’ folklore after saving two penalties during the penalty shootout for Sarina Wiegman’s side.
For Wiegman, there are strong reports of an honorary damehood awaiting her after the Dutchwoman has successfully guided England to a second-straight Euros triumph as well as a Women’s World Cup final appearance.
Spain score first in Women’s Euro 2025 final
The first half started with the usual high quality when these two sides meet.
England manager Sarina Wiegman stuck with Lauren James, who was not fully fit, in her starting XI and chose to deploy her on the left wing and Lauren Hemp on the right instead of vice versa.
The slight tactical tweak saw some early joy for England with Alessia Russo running clear on goal down their right-hand side. Her low effort was parried away by Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll.
The rebound seemed destined to be tapped home by James but she was beaten to the ball by Spain right back Ona Batlle.
Spain were growing into the match but England were hitting them on the break and came close to breaking the deadlock through Lauren Hemp. A brilliant press from England saw Coll make an error when passing the ball short of intended target Laia Aleixandri. Hemp tried to give Coll the eyes with a shot at the near post but Coll recovered to tip it behind for a corner.
Spain are world champions for a reason though and made England pay for their misses on 25 minutes when Mariona Caldentey headed them in front.
The Arsenal midfielder finished a free-flowing Spain move with an emphatic header at the back post that nestled into the top corner after a cross from Battle.
Things got worse for England on 40 minutes when James had to be withdrawn due to her ongoing ankle injury with Kelly coming on in her place.
Lionesses roar back through Alessia Russo
Spain saw out the rest of the first half relatively comfortably and began the second in that fashion too.
However, England restored parity on 57 minutes through Russo. Driving with the ball in midfield, Georgia Stanway found Kelly on the left wing. The Arsenal forward took two touches before picking out Russo with a brilliant near-post cross that Russo headed home from.
The momentum switched and England grew in stature with Kelly close to turning the scoreline around but for a fine save from Coll.
The intensity of the match grew again and Spain pushed for a late winner but Wiegman’s women held on.
Spain the better side during extra-time
Extra-time was like how the second half ended, Spain in the ascendancy but they were unable to breach Hampton. Substitute Salma Paralluelo was particularly guilty of failing to restore the Spaniards’ lead.
Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly clutch during penalties
After 120 minutes of football, the match came down to a penalty shootout. England captain Leah Williamson won both coin tosses and elected for her and her team-mates to shoot first in front of their end.
Beth Mead stepped up first and scored but had to retake her spot-kick due to a double-hit when she slipped. The retake didn’t end in the same outcome though as Coll saved her penalty.
Patri Guijarro scored her penalty to give Spain the lead and advantage. Alex Greenwood scored for England to make it 1-1 before Spain’s advantage went when Hampton saved Caldentey’s spot-kick.
Niamh Charles put England 2-1 in front and then Hampton’s heroics came to the fore once more when she saved Aitana Bonmati’s.
Williamson was next to take a penalty but her effort was saved by Cull.
Paralluelo had the opportunity to make it 2-2 from 12 yards but dragged her effort wide leaving Kelly with the chance to make history.
The 27-year-old duly did that by rifling high into the net to spark mass pandemonium among the Lionesses.
