Last came the turn of England. Following losses to Spain in the women’s World Cup final in 2023 and the men’s final of the Euros in 2024, Sarina Wiegman’s side finally managed to overcome their opponents.
“This team is unbelievable. Incredible,” said England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who impressed in both the match and the shooutout. “I lost track of what was going on in that shootout, as soon as I saw her (teammate Chloe Kelly) run off I knew we had won.
Early Chances and Spain’s First Goal
England had the superior opportunities in the first exchanges, with Lauren Hemp making a clever save out of Cata Coll after picking up a stray pass from the Spanish goalkeeper.
The Euro 2022 champions were shortly punished for missing that one, however, as Spain gradually worked down the right before Ona Batlle uncovered a cross which Caldentey, playing club football in England for Arsenal, headed home with power on 25 minutes.
Spain Dominate First Half Possession
With dominance secured on the board, world champions Spain dominated possession and kept England at arm’s length to halftime.
But England have made a turnaround a habit in the tournament. They lost their opening game to France and rallied to triumph in their quaterfinal and semifinal against Sweden and Italy respectively. On 57 minutes, they did it again as Alessia Russo rose to place a marvellous header in the Spanish net following a Kelly’s cross.
Chloe Kelly Shines Again
Kelly, playing as a substitute, struck the decider from the bench in the 2022 final in England against Germany and has played a key part in her team’s turnarounds this campaign. The goal energized England and the match became more and more stretched, with opportunities missed and blocked at each end before extra time was reached.
Spain took control again shortly after but did not have the cutting edge they had lacked when they played Germany in the semifinal, taking 113 minutes to score and win the match. England was able to hold on to force penalties. Finally, Kelly cooly slotted home the winning spot kick. Her again. England again.
