England once again showed nerves of steel under pressure as they defeated Spain 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout to retain the Women’s European Championship title on Sunday, July 27, 2025. The match had ended 1-1 after extra time, leading to a tense shootout in which Chloe Kelly scored the decisive goal.
Chloe Kelly stepped up during the shootout with confidence. She smashed in the final penalty and said afterward, “I was cool, I was composed, and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net.” Her goal sealed back-to-back Euro titles for England. Just as she had done three years earlier at Wembley, Kelly emerged as England’s big-game hero.
England’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two crucial saves during the shootout—one against Mariona Caldentey and another from Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, the tournament’s best player. Salma Paralluelo, who had come on as a substitute, missed her shot wide. These missed chances cost Spain dearly, as England held firm.
The defending champions once again relied on second-half grit and inspired substitutions. This was the same pattern they followed in the knockout games against Italy and Sweden. On Sunday, they conceded the first goal in the 25th minute, when Mariona Caldentey finished off a well-placed cross by Ona Batlle. But England equalized in the 57th minute when Alessia Russo headed in a superb cross from Chloe Kelly.
Spain dominated possession, especially in extra time, and stayed aggressive in England’s penalty area. However, they failed to convert their chances into goals. Bonmatí said in frustration, “It was cruel. We played better, created more scoring chances, but in soccer sometimes that’s not enough.”
Despite trailing for just four minutes throughout the entire tournament, and not once against England during regulation or extra time, Spain couldn’t secure their first Women’s Euro title.
Interestingly, both teams featured several Arsenal players. Spain’s opener had a touch of English style—a fullback’s cross leading to a header on a rainy, overcast day. Caldentey, who scored for Spain, was also part of Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League-winning side in May, which defeated Barcelona. That Barcelona squad provided six starters for Spain, and three more came on as substitutes.
England’s equalizer also reflected club chemistry. Kelly and Russo, both from Arsenal’s front line, linked up beautifully for the goal that sent the game into extra time.
England captain Leah Williamson and forward Beth Mead had their penalties saved by Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll. However, Mead got a second attempt due to a new rule that allows a retake if a player slips and unintentionally touches the ball twice during the kick. Still, the retake made little difference after Hampton’s brilliant saves.
England coach Sarina Wiegman remains undefeated in the Women’s Euros. She now has three European titles—one with the Netherlands in 2017 and two with England (2022 and 2025). Notably, the earlier two titles came when her teams hosted the tournaments. This year’s win marked the first time any England senior team—men or women—won a major tournament on foreign soil.
Wiegman also contributed to a historic trend: Women have now coached the last eight Euro-winning teams across 28 years, despite being outnumbered by male coaches in each tournament.
St-Jakob Park in Basel hosted not only the players but also royal families. Prince William, president of the English Football Association, attended the match with his daughter, Princess Charlotte. From Spain, Princess Leonor and her sister Infanta Sofía were present. Sofía had earlier accompanied Queen Letizia to the 2023 World Cup final in Australia.
England’s triumph at Euro 2025 was a perfect blend of resilience, tactical brilliance, and individual heroics. From Hampton’s saves to Kelly’s composed finish, the team showcased what it takes to win under pressure. Spain may have played the more fluid football, but England once again proved that tournament success often comes down to timing, grit, and executio.
