England Edge Spain On Penalties To Retain Women’s Euro Title

Chloe Kelly struck the winning penalty as England defeated Spain 3-1 in a dramatic shootout to win the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 title after a 1-1 draw in extra time on Sunday.

The victory at St Jakob-Park in Basel sees the Lionesses retain their European crown and avenge their heartbreaking World Cup final loss to Spain two years ago.

Spain had looked poised to repeat that triumph, dominating possession and taking the lead through Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header. But England, showing trademark resilience, equalized just before the hour mark when Alessia Russo nodded home a cross from Kelly, who had come off the bench once again to make a decisive impact.

The match remained level through extra time, forcing penalties. Although Beth Mead and Leah Williamson both had their efforts saved, England converted three of their five attempts, with Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles, and finally Kelly finding the net. Spain faltered from the spot, with only Patri Guijarro converting, while Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati saw her attempt saved.

“I was cool and composed. I knew I’d score,” Kelly told the BBC after the match.

It was a painful loss for Spain, who had hoped to add a European title to their 2023 World Cup triumph. Despite controlling large portions of the game, they were unable to finish off their chances and paid the price.

“I’m in shock,” Bonmati admitted to TVE. “Football is cruel. Everything feels bad right now, but I think we played the best football in the tournament.”

For England manager Sarina Wiegman, the win is historic. She now holds three consecutive European titles — one with the Netherlands in 2017 and two with England (2022 and 2025) — cementing her status among the game’s greatest coaches.

“What a team. What a game. What drama,” wrote UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on X. “You’ve made the nation proud. History makers.”

Wiegman praised her side’s mental toughness, particularly after losing their tournament opener to France. “Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible,” she said.

“We said we could win by any means, and that’s what we showed again today.”

England’s path to the final was anything but smooth. They came from behind to beat Sweden in the quarterfinals and needed a 96th-minute equalizer and an extra-time winner to overcome Italy in the semis. In the final, Wiegman took a calculated risk by starting Lauren James, who was recovering from injury, but the Chelsea winger didn’t make it to halftime and was replaced by Kelly.

Spain struck first when Ona Batlle’s pinpoint cross found Caldentey for a powerful header. They might have doubled the lead, but Cata Coll’s risky pass in her own box was intercepted by Lauren Hemp, whose effort was saved.

After Russo’s equalizer in the 57th minute, England grew stronger, urged on by the bulk of the 34,203 fans in the crowd. Coll had to stretch to deny a curling Kelly shot late in the second half.

As the match went to penalties, England kept their nerve. Despite a missed retaken spot-kick from Mead and a saved attempt by Williamson, they ultimately triumphed. Spain, meanwhile, missed three of their four attempts, sealing England’s win and confirming their status as Europe’s dominant force in women’s football.