Basel, Switzerland — England successfully defended their Euro 2025 title by defeating Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout on Sunday.
Spain dominated the first half, with Mariona Caldente scoring the opener via a powerful header. However, in the 40th minute, Chloe Kelly replaced the injured Lauren James and turned the tide for the Lionesses. Alessia Russo delivered an excellent cross that allowed Kelly to equalize in the 57th minute.
Throughout the knockout stages, England usually trailed their opponents but struggled to secure a lead even with the introduction of Super Sub Michelle Aggieman. While Spain’s Salma Paralaero had two excellent opportunities in extra time, the match ultimately went to penalties.
Beth Mead converted her shot, but Val was ruled to have touched the ball twice, and Kata Kol was credited with a save on her second attempt. Hannah Hampton successfully blocked a penalty, leveling the score, while Caldente missed Spain’s second penalty kick, giving England the upper hand.
Leah Williamson saw her attempt saved, but Salma’s shot just grazed the post before Kelly delivered the tournament’s coldest shot at 110 km/h, clinching the victory for England.
– Euro 2025 Finals: England repeats as champions
– Agyemang wins Young Player of the Tournament Award
– England player ratings: Hampton earns a perfect 10/10
– Women’s Euro 2025 bracket, results, and schedule
England’s Journey Defies Logic
Such victories in tournaments are rare. The Lionesses seemed to have exhausted all chances after their penalty shootout win against Sweden in the quarterfinals. But then Italy came along, and in the 96th minute, Aggieman stepped up to assist with a late winner, showcasing England’s incredible resolve. From the early concerns following their game against France to dominating performances against the Netherlands and Wales, this England squad made a remarkable mark in Switzerland.
Spain, however, formed a different narrative. Despite being the reigning champions, England’s determination seemed to tip the scales. Manager Sarina Wiegman referred to the tournament as a “movie,” suggesting it was destined to end with England’s triumph as they continuously pulled off miraculous feats.
England’s victory was fueled by grit and solid defensive strategies, particularly from Jess Carter, who helped thwart the Spanish attacks during extra time. Although they were often outperformed, this team proved resilient and hard to defeat.
Chloe Kelly emerged as a standout player once again—first as the Euro 2022 match winner, then as the late hero against Italy, and now with the decisive penalty in Basel.
Overall, England led the knockout stages for a mere 4 minutes and 52 seconds, showcasing how unpredictable football can be. – Tom Hamilton
Spain’s Quest for Glory Continues
Spain’s pursuit of their first Euro title will remain unfulfilled after this agonizing defeat. The world champions made history by reaching the final for the first time but couldn’t convert their chances into a win.
After Caldente’s initial goal in the 25th minute, Spain took control. Montse Tomé’s tactical decision to reposition Caldente was fruitful, allowing her to be more mobile and link effectively with Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati, putting pressure on England.
Despite scoring 14 goals in the group stage, Spain failed to maintain that scoring frequency and couldn’t secure a second goal to distance themselves from England. Even after the Lionesses equalized, Spain struggled to create further chances and needed more from substitutes Claudia Pina, Salma, and Vicki Lopez.
Despite dominating possession in extra time, their lack of presence in the box was evident after replacing Estelle Gonzalez with Christina Martin Prieto. They finished the match with 22 shots compared to England’s eight but ultimately missed crucial penalties that could have sealed their historic win. Doubts remain about Tomé’s strategy moving forward. – Sam Marsden
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How Chloe Kelly’s “Incredible Destiny” led to Euro 2025 glory
Julien Lawrence discusses the standout performances of Alesia Russo and Chloe Kelly in the Euro 2025 final.
When James’ Injury Backfires, Kelly Emerges
When in doubt, look to Kelly and Aggieman. This duo mirrors the impactful partnership of Toon and Russo from three years ago.
Kelly’s influence was evident earlier than before. England struggled against Spain initially with Lauren James constrained by an ankle injury suffered in the previous match. It was a risky move, and Kelly stepped up in a crucial moment.
Playing on the left wing, Kelly executed a brilliant pass to Russo for England’s equalizer—a remarkable feat considering she had been sidelined early in her career. Though Aggieman didn’t manage to extend her extraordinary record from the bench, Wiegman’s other substitutions proved wise throughout the game.
Kelly once again made history by scoring the decisive penalty. In high-pressure situations, few can match her impact. – Hamilton
Salma’s Challenges in Spain
Salma Paraluelo, who won the Young Player of the Tournament at the 2023 World Cup, faced her own set of challenges during these Euros.
After being substituted in the 89th minute, she struggled to make an impact. There have been indications of her fatigue since she announced her temporary withdrawal from football last October, making her return to form a challenge. With just eight goal attempts throughout the tournament and a passing accuracy of 75.6%, it was a disappointing showing for the once-promising player.
Her significant miss in the penalty shootout exemplified the difficulties she faced as she had been expected to shine among a talented Spanish squad. – Emily Kage
Basel, Switzerland — England secured their Euro 2025 title by defeating Spain 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday.
Spain controlled much of the first half, with Mariona Caldente scoring a powerful header to open the match. However, everything changed when Chloe Kelly substituted for the injured Lauren James in the 40th minute. Alessia Russo assisted Kelly for the equalizing goal in the 57th minute.
Despite trailing in all their knockout matches, England couldn’t find a winner, even with Super Sub Michelle Aggieman on the field. Spain’s Salma Paralaero had two excellent chances in extra time, but the game ultimately went to penalties.
Although Beth Mead scored, a double touch was called on Val, and Kata Kol managed a save on her follow-up. Meanwhile, Hannah Hampton made a crucial save to balance the score, and Caldente missed her penalty, giving England the lead. Leah Williamson’s shot was saved, but when Salma hit the post, Kelly fired in a stunning strike clocked at 110 km/h, sealing the win for England.
– England repeats as Euro 2025 champions
– Agyemang crowned Young Player of the Tournament
– Player rating: Hampton scores a perfect 10/10
– Euro 2025 results and schedule available
England’s Miraculous Journey
Such victories in tournaments are exceptional. The Lionesses appeared to exhaust every opportunity after their quarterfinal win over Sweden, but they mounted a comeback. Besting Italy and showcasing immense resilience, England’s road in Switzerland was marked by determination and skill.
Spain presented a different narrative as England managed to turn their fortunes. Manager Sarina Wiegman described the tournament as a destined “movie,” culminating with miracles that unfolded time and again in England’s favor.
The Lionesses displayed remarkable grit and superb defense, particularly from Jess Carter, who thwarted Spain’s advances during extra time. England might have appeared shaky at times, but their hard-to-beat mentality shone through.
Chloe Kelly emerged as a key player, having previously won Euro 2022, and now clinching the decisive penalty to confirm England’s success.
Throughout the knockout stages, England led for just 4 minutes and 52 seconds, a testament to the unpredictable nature of football. – Tom Hamilton
Spain’s Unfinished Business
Spain’s search for their first Euro title remains ongoing after this heartbreaking defeat. They made history by reaching the final but failed to convert their chances into a win.
Following Caldente’s goal, Spain controlled the game. Montse Tomé’s tactical adjustments allowed her to play more freely and exploit weaknesses in England’s defense.
Despite their stellar group stage performance, Spain couldn’t convert their aggression into additional goals against England. As the game progressed and the Lionesses equalized, Spain struggled to create further scoring opportunities.
Though they maintained possession well in extra time, their substitutions didn’t create the impact desired, finishing the game with 22 shots compared to England’s eight but failing to capitalize on their potential. The questions about Tomé’s strategy persist. – Sam Marsden
Key Players and Tactical Changes
When the game turned, Kelly and Aggieman proved invaluable. Kelly’s early contributions made a significant impact after Lauren James’ injury had raised concerns about England’s chances.
As the Lionesses fell behind early and struggled to impose themselves, Kelly stepped up, providing a vital assist for the equalizer. Though Aggieman didn’t extend her record from the bench, Wiegman’s substitutions helped maintain momentum.
Once again, Kelly etched her name in history by converting the winning penalty. Her composure under pressure proved critical in this high-stakes matchup. – Hamilton
Salma’s Difficult Euros
Salma Paraluelo, the 2023 World Cup’s Young Player of the Tournament, faced significant challenges during this Euros. After being substituted late in the match, she struggled to make a meaningful contribution.
Her ongoing battle with mental and physical fatigue since her announcement of a break from football in October impacted her performance. With just eight goal attempts and a passing accuracy of 75.6%, her tournament concluded on a disappointing note after a missed penalty in the shootout. Expectations were high for her to shine amidst a talented Spanish team. – Emily Kage
Match Analysis and Tactical Adjustments
At halftime, England found themselves trailing 1-0 and required tactical adjustments. Wiegman’s decision to modify the midfield structure helped regain control in the second half. The changes allowed for better link-up plays, leading to the equalizer.
Spain’s initial dominance waned in the second half, dropping from 284 offensive touches to just 153, illustrating England’s tactical success in stifling their opponents.
Jess Carter was integral in England’s defense, showcasing resilience and skill throughout the tournament. Despite previous struggles, she displayed remarkable poise against Spain and played a key role in nullifying their counterattacks. – Keo
Spain’s Goalkeeper Performance
Kata Kol displayed commendable skills guarding the net for Spain after overcoming tonsillitis earlier in the tournament. Her decisive saves helped advance Spain through the knockout stages, but she ultimately couldn’t secure the win against England.
Despite several critical saves during the game, her teammates squandered penalty opportunities that could have turned the match in Spain’s favor. Although she expressed interest in taking a penalty herself, the opportunity never arose. – Marsden
**Fan Take:** This dramatic final emphasizes the ever-changing dynamics of women’s soccer, capturing the intensity and unpredictability of the sport. As England secures back-to-back titles, it may inspire a new generation of players and fans, potentially elevating women’s football even further on the world stage.