The Lionesses beat La Roja 3-1 on penalties after drawing 1-1 in additional time to retain the European Championship.
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot kick as England beat Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win Euro 2025, efficiently defending the title they gained three years in the past after an enthralling encounter that ended 1-1 after additional time.
Spain dominated possession in Basel, Switzerland on Sunday and made the breakthrough within the twenty fifth minute as Ona Batlle crossed and the England defence was caught flat-footed, permitting Mariona Caldentey to go the ball previous Hannah Hampton.
With Lauren James faltering because of an ankle inury, England had been struggling, however Kelly got here off the bench to interchange her simply earlier than the break, and it proved an impressed substitution from England supervisor Sarina Wiegman.
Kelly helped shut down England’s porous left flank and supplied the cross for Alessia Russo to degree within the 57th minute, the ahead heading residence her inch-perfect help.
Spain continued to monopolise the ball, however couldn’t discover one other purpose earlier than the tip of regular time, and the story continued by additional time as they probed and probed, however couldn’t break by the English defence as the sport completed 1-1.
The Spaniards obtained the shootout off to an incredible begin when Catalina Coll saved Beth Mead’s effort, however England keeper Hannah Hampton stepped up and saved from Caldentey after which from Aitana Bonmati to place England within the driving seat.
Coll obtained Spain again into it with one other one-handed cease to dam Leah Williamson, however Spain substitute Salma Paralluelo then fired her kick extensive of the goal.
That set the stage for Kelly to repeat her 2022 heroics, when she scored the extra-time winner over Germany that gained her group the title at Wembley.
Kelly made her trademark prancing run-up earlier than smashing the ball into the web and peeling away in ecstasy to rejoice with the remainder of the gamers in entrance of the England followers.
“I’m so proud, so pleased with this group, so grateful to put on this badge, and I’m so proud to be English … I used to be cool, I used to be composed and I knew I used to be going to hit the again of the web,” Kelly stated.
Spain trailed for less than 4 minutes in all the event – and never for one second in opposition to England – but couldn’t seal their first European title.
The ultimate was the primary time because the inaugural version in 1984 that the sport was determined by a penalty shootout – a match through which England had been crushed by Sweden.
Talking to the BBC, England goalkeeper Hampton stated: “This group is simply unbelievable, unimaginable.
“We’ve proven all through this event [that] we are able to come again after we go a purpose down. We’ve that grit. We by no means say die – we simply maintain going, and we did that as we speak.”