England were ahead in the Euro 2025 knockouts for just four minutes and 52 seconds. But they beat Spain on penalties to defend their crown.
— England defended their Euro 2025 crown as they beat Spain 3-1 on penalties in Basel.
Spain had the best of the first half and Mariona Caldentey struck the opener with a powerful header. But Chloe Kelly changed the game for the Lionesses when she replaced an injured Lauren James in the 40th minute and sent in a perfect cross for Alessia Russo to head home the equalizer on 57 minutes.
England had gone behind to every opponent in the knockout rounds, but couldn’t find a winner despite the arrival of super-sub Michelle Agyemang. Spain’s own sub Salma Paralluelo had two wonderful chances to score in extra time, but the game went to penalties.
Beth Mead slipped and scored the first in the shootout, but VAR intervened as she was adjudged to have touched the ball twice and Cata Coll saved her re-taken effort. Caldentey then missed Spain’s second effort, as Hannah Hampton pushed it away to level things, and she then stopped Aitana Bonmatí’s shot to give England the advantage.
Leah Williamson then saw hers saved, but Salma blazed hers wide of the post before Kelly stepped confidently up to hand England the trophy.
— Women’s Euro 2025 bracket, results and fixtures schedule
There will never be another tournament win like this. It looked like the Lionesses had used up all nine of their lives after the Sweden quarterfinal penalty shootout. But then came Italy, as Agyemang popped up in the 96th minute to take the match to extra time, and Kelly scored a late winner. This England team have lived the most remarkable existence in Switzerland; from the depths of concern after the opening France performance, to the dominance of Netherlands and Wales, then the bonkers knockout matches.
Spain were a different story though; England were underdogs against the reigning world champions. But there was something about this «movie», as manager Sarina Wiegman called it, as England bounced from round to round. It felt like the tournament was pre-destined to end up in English hands as they produced miracle after miracle
And there was one more to come against Spain. This was a performance based on grit, determination, some brilliant defending from Jess Carter, and sheer fight as England held off the Spanish onslaught in extra time. England had been second best for much of the match, but this team don’t know when they’re beaten.
And the heroine? Kelly. The Euro 2022 match-winner, the 119th minute winner in the Italy match, and then the winning penalty in Basel.
England led their knockout matches for four minutes and 52 seconds in total. Sometimes football defies logic. This tournament is one of them. — Tom Hamilton
Spain’s search for their first Euros crown goes on after this painful defeat. The world champions made history in Switzerland, reaching the final for the first time in their history, but could not covert their possession into victory.
After an entertaining opening, Spain took control after Caldentey’s 25th-minute opener. Montse Tomé’s decision to shift the Arsenal player back on to the left, having used her on the right in the previous knockout rounds, paid off. She was allowed freedom to roam inside, linking well with Alexia Putellas and Bonmatí as La Roja exerted their dominance.
However, after scoring 14 goals in the group stage, Spain have failed to hit the net with the same frequency since.
