Preview:England Women vs Spain Women - prediction, team news, lineups

England Women and Spain Women will be targeting European glory when they go toe-to-toe in Sunday's Women's Euro 2025 final in Basel.

The Lionesses are bidding to win back-to-back Women's Euros, while La Roja are looking to become the sixth different nation to win the tournament. 

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Match preview

England are set to feature in a third consecutive major tournament final after showing great character to book their place in Sunday's showdown at St. Jakob-Park.

The Lionesses finished in second place in Group D after they recovered from an opening day defeat against France with commanding wins over the Netherlands and Wales.

Reigning European champions England then fought from two goals down against Sweden to send their quarter-final tie to extra time and penalties, which proved to be full of drama as England won 3-2 following 14 spot kicks between the two sides.

As it proved, England had to produce another rescue act in their last-four clash against Italy, with Michelle Agyemang netting a 96th-minute equaliser to force extra time, where Chloe Kelly scored the rebound from her own saved penalty to book England's place in the final.

England boss Sarina Wiegman has already created history, having become the first manager in the men's and women's game to reach a fifth consecutive major tournament final.

The former Netherlands head coach enjoyed success in both of her previous finals at the Women's European Championships, but she has had to settle for a runners-up spot at the previous two World Cups, including England's narrow 1-0 defeat to Spain in 2023.

Wiegman will be looking to maintain her 100% record in Women's Euro finals, with England bidding to become just the third country to win the competition on multiple occasions. 

In contrast to England, Spain are yet to win the Women's European Championships, but that will not stop them from entering Sunday's final as favourites.

La Roja topped Group B with victories over Portugal, Belgium and Italy, before they scored two second-half goals to eliminate Switzerland in the last eight.

After seeing off the tournament hosts, Spain looked set to be frustrated by Germany in Wednesday's semi-final clash, but Aitana Bonmati ultimately came up with the goods just as the contest appeared to be heading towards penalties, spotting a gap at the near post to drive the ball home from a narrow angle.

Bonmati's 113th-minute winner represented Spain's latest goal at a major tournament, ensuring that La Roja can now look forward to their first-ever Women's European Championship final.

Spain are aiming to win a piece of silverware for a third consecutive year after lifting the World Cup and Nations League in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

La Roja have already faced England on two occasions in the Nations League 2025, losing 1-0 in February's away clash before claiming a 2-1 home victory in June to secure a semi-final berth ahead of the Lionesses. 

The 2023 World Cup winners have lost their last two European Championship matches against England, meaning they will enter the final with hopes of beating the Lionesses in the competition for the first time since 2013, when Alexia Putellas netted a stoppage-time winner in a 3-2 group-stage victory.

England Women Women's European Championship form:

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England Women form (all competitions):

Spain Women Women's European Championship form:

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Spain Women form (all competitions):

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Team News

England attacker Lauren James is in a race to prove her fitness after being forced off at half time in the semi-final success against Italy.

If James is unable to feature, Kelly could be given the nod over Beth Mead to operate on the right flank following her impressive contributions off the bench in the last two knockout games.

Esme Morgan made her first major tournament start on Tuesday, and she is set to retain her place in central defence alongside captain Leah Williamson.

As for Spain, Laia Aleixandri is set to return to the backline after serving a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation. 

Athenea del Castillo has staked a claim for a starting spot with a goal and an assist in the last two matches, although Montse Tome is likely to keep faith with Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina as her wingers for Sunday’s showdown. 

Having netted four goals in five matches, forward Esther Gonzalez will enter the final as the tournament’s leading scorer, sitting just one clear of her Spain teammate Putellas.

England Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood; Stanway, Walsh, Toone; Kelly, Hemp, Russo

Spain Women possible starting lineup:

Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Caldentey, Pina, Gonzalez

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We say: England Women 1-2 Spain Women

The last seven meetings between the two sides have either finished level or been decided by one-goal margins, and with that in mind, we think that Sunday's clash will be another close-fought contest.

England have shown vulnerability in their run to the final, and we think that any weaknesses will be exploited by a top-quality Spain side, which is why we believe that La Roja will do enough to lift their first-ever Women's European Championship. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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