England win Women's Euro in shootout
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty as England triumphed over Spain 3-1 in a shootout to win the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, successfully defending their title from three years prior. The match, held in Basel, ended 1-1 after extra time, following a thrilling contest.
Spain took the lead in the 25th minute when Mariona Caldentey headed in a cross from Ona Batlle, catching the English defense off guard. However, England equalized in the 57th minute with Alessia Russo scoring from a Kelly cross. Despite Spain's dominance in possession, they could not find another goal, and the match remained tied at the end of normal time and through extra time.
The penalty shootout began with a setback for England as Cata Coll saved Beth Mead's attempt. Yet, England's goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made crucial saves against Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí, putting England in a strong position. Although Coll saved another shot from Leah Williamson, Spain's Salma Paralluelo missed her kick, setting the stage for Kelly to secure the victory. She confidently converted her penalty, celebrating with her teammates in front of the England fans.
This final marked the first time since 1984 that a Women's Euro match was decided by penalties. England's victory not only retained their title but also made them the first senior national team from the country to win and defend a major title on foreign soil, joining Germany as only the second team to achieve this in the Women's Euros. Throughout the tournament, England demonstrated resilience, notably coming back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Sweden in the quarter-finals and edging Italy in the semi-finals. Manager Sarina Wiegman praised her team's unity, while standout performances included 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang, named Young Player of the Tournament, and veteran Lucy Bronze, who played through injury to help secure the crown.
