Women's European Championship
England Women
Jul 27, 2025 5.00pm
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Spain Women

 England 1-1 Spain (3-1 pens): Highlights, player of the match, stats as Lionesses win epic Euro 2025 final shootout

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Sarina, you're the one. England conquer Europe again after penalty epic
© Imago

England Women defended their continental crown in epic style as Sarina Wiegman's side beat Spain Women 3-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the Women's Euro 2025 final in Basel.

Rather than make another quintessential slow start, the holders came out all guns blazing against a high Spanish line, who were hustled and harried by Alessia Russo and Lauren Hemp at every opportunity.

However, the Lionesses failed to make their early periods of promise count and were punished when Arsenal winger Mariona Caldentey headed Spain into the lead with 25 minutes gone.

For the remainder of the first half, a slick Spain looked more likely to add to their lead than a flatter England did to level the match, and Sarina Wiegman also had to withdraw an off-colour Lauren James due to injury just before the break.

James's problem proved to be a blessing in disguise, though, as her replacement Chloe Kelly provided a trademark assist for a Russo leveller early in the second half, the final act of the first 90 minutes.

An increasingly leggy England side had their backs against the wall for the majority of extra time, but a combination of staunch defending and poor Spain finishing saw the champions force the dreaded penalty shootout.

Dreaded it was not for the women in white, though, as Hannah Hampton kept Caldentey and Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati out before Salma Paralluelo dragged her shot wide, allowing none other than Kelly to convert the Championship-winning kick.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Imago

The queens of Europe still have their crown, and given the unwavering fight, heart and desire Wiegman's side have shown in these past few weeks, not a single soul can say they do not deserve it.

Yes, the first game left a lot to be desired. Yes, they had to win ugly on more than one occasion. Yes, they may have been dominated on the balance of play today. 

But football is not always about possession, or field tilt, or Expected Goals, or any of the other newly-coined phrases and statistics. It is sometimes about unbridled passion, team spirit, cohesion and doggedness, all of which England have in abundance.

Furthermore, with a manager as well-versed as Wiegman at the helm, the Dutchwoman's crop can never be discounted when the odds are against them, as the England boss celebrates becoming just the third woman to win three Euros on the spin.

The agony of the 2023 World Cup final defeat will still sting until 2027 at least, but the sting will not be so potent now, and global domination is undoubtedly the next goal for Wiegman's wonders.

ENGLAND VS. SPAIN HIGHLIGHTS

Mariona Caldentey goal vs. England (25th min, England 0-1 Spain)

Against the run of play? Perhaps, but England can have no complaints after a wonderfully-worked Spanish opener.

Ballon d'Or winner Bonmati keeps the ball alive on the right, before Athenea del Castillo slips in Ona Battle inside the area.

The right-back's cross is on the money for Caldentey, who loses an unawares Lucy Bronze and steers a firm header into the top corner; Hannah Hampton is rooted to the spot.

Alessia Russo goal vs. Spain (56th min, England 1-1 Spain)

The Arsenal final. 

Kelly - who was introduced for the injured James at the end of the first half - is afforded time and space to send in an inswinging cross from the left; big mistake.

The Gunners winger picks out her clubmate Russo, who directs a terrific header across goal and into the top corner with Cata Coll flat-footed. 

Game on!

Chloe Kelly penalty vs. Spain (Penalty shootout, England 3-1 Spain)

The hop. The skip. The jump. The goal. 

Unlike in the semi-finals, no rebounds will do for Kelly this time around, but the Arsenal forward picks out the top corner with unbelievable panache to spark English euphoria.

As a famous Geordie once said: "Pressure? What pressure?"

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - HANNAH HAMPTON

© Imago

Too many candidates, too few awards; Bronze, Leah Williamson and Battle all deserve their stars, but the heroic Hampton is possibly the most deserved European champion on the St. Jakob-Park pitch.

The Chelsea shot-stopper could do nothing about Caldentey's opener, but she was as staunch as ever for the remainder of the 120 minutes, before two special shootout saves to propel England to the top of the European tree again.

ENGLAND VS. SPAIN MATCH STATS

Possession: England 35%-65% Spain

Shots: England 8-22 Spain

Shots on target: England 5-5 Spain

Corners: England 3-7 Spain

Fouls: England 16-10 Spain

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Party time. And boy do this England side deserve it. But preparations for World Cup glory in 2027 cannot begin soon enough for Wiegman and co as the Lionesses now pursue the missing piece of the puzzle.

An inconsolable Spain side will have the exact same goal in mind, though, and Monste Tome's side need no added incentive to retain their grip on the global crown.

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