- England's goalkeeper Hannah Hampton shone as an unexpected hero, saving penalties from both Caldentey and Bonmatí.
- With her characteristic calmness, Chloe Kelly stepped forward to take the decisive penalty, ensuring a 3-1 shootout victory and igniting celebration among the travelling English supporters.
On July 27, 2025, in the vibrant atmosphere of St. Jakob-Park in Basel and in front of a record attendance of over 34,000 fans, England’s Lionesses reached another remarkable achievement by defeating the reigning world champions, Spain, in a thrilling penalty shootout to successfully defend their European title.
The Lionesses maintained their composure to win 3-1 on penalties following a nail-biting 1-1 draw that extended into extra time.
Fueled by their desire to remain at the top of European football, they managed to withstand the pressure from Spain and, with incredible poise and determination, clinched a victory that solidifies their place among the modern greats of the game.
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Spain seemed poised to claim the title following Mariona Caldentey's powerful header in the 25th minute, set up by a perfectly executed cross from Ona Batlle. To make matters worse for England, star forward Lauren James had to leave the game with an ankle injury before halftime.
However, as has been the case in recent years, Chloe Kelly rose to the occasion.
Coming on to replace James, she quickly became a playmaker early in the second half, providing the assist that Alessia Russo expertly directed into the net to equalise for England.
Spain maintained a firm grip on possession — nearly 67% — and consistently tested England through the skilful play of Aitana Bonmatí and the speed of Salma Paralluelo. Nevertheless, under the steady leadership of coach Sarina Wiegman, England held firm.
Their organised defence saw them through extra time, leading to a penalty shootout that few had anticipated.
During the shootout, England's goalkeeper Hannah Hampton shone as an unexpected hero, saving penalties from both Caldentey and Bonmatí. Spain's usually steady Paralluelo then failed to hit the target, giving England the upper hand.
With her characteristic calmness, Chloe Kelly stepped forward to take the decisive penalty, ensuring a 3-1 shootout victory and igniting celebration among the travelling English supporters.
This victory marked a significant milestone for several reasons. England became only the second team in history, following Germany, to successfully defend the Women's Euro title. It also marked the first occasion that any English team, both men's or women's, has secured a major international tournament victory on foreign soil.
Furthermore, Chloe Kelly added another legendary chapter to her narrative, having also netted the winner in the Euro 2022 final at Wembley.
Post-match, Wiegman commended her team's "never-say-die attitude," attributing their tactical discipline and mental fortitude to overcoming a technically superior Spanish side.
Spain's coach, Montse Tomé, graciously accepted defeat but acknowledged the pain of watching her team come so close only to fall in penalties, observing that "football doesn't always reward the better side."
For Spain, which arrived in Switzerland aiming to add the Euro title to their earlier successes in the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Nations League, the night ended in disappointment. Nevertheless, their combination of finesse and intensity indicates they will continue to be contenders in the future.
As for England, the victory was a testament to their determination, depth, and resilience. Even as injuries piled up and they lost possession, they discovered a way to endure — and, when it counted the most, to succeed.
Once again, the Lionesses emerged victorious on Europe's biggest stage, solidifying their reputation as one of the sport's modern dynasties.
