Trending 
Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot-kick as England defeated Spain 3-1 on penalties to win the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 title after a tense 1-1 draw in Basel, securing back-to-back European championships and avenging their World Cup final defeat to the same opponents two years ago.
Spain, who had dominated much of the match at St Jakob-Park, appeared set for another major victory over the Lionesses after Mariona Caldentey’s header gave them a first-half lead. But England, displaying the same resilience that had carried them through earlier knockout stages, fought back when Alessia Russo nodded home an equaliser just before the hour mark.
With the scores level after extra time, the contest went to penalties. Kelly — a game-changer off the bench once again — stepped up to fire home the winning penalty. Spain missed three of their four attempts, including one from reigning Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, whose effort was saved.
The win cements Sarina Wiegman’s status as one of the greats of the game, marking her third straight European title after successes with the Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022.
It also served as a measure of revenge for the Lionesses, who fell to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final. This time, they held their nerve and their resolve to emerge victorious and lift the trophy in front of over 34,000 spectators.
Despite a tournament in which they rarely hit top form, England once again showed a remarkable ability to find a way to win, having staged dramatic comebacks against Sweden in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semi-finals.
Spain, meanwhile, were left ruing their missed opportunities. With seven Barcelona players in their starting line-up, they dominated possession and looked composed for much of the match. Caldentey’s goal came from a well-worked move involving Bonmatí and Athenea del Castillo, with Ona Batlle delivering the decisive cross.
England’s hopes were briefly boosted earlier when a careless pass from Spain keeper Cata Coll almost gifted Lauren Hemp a goal, but Coll recovered to make a vital save.
Wiegman’s decision to risk the fitness of Lauren James backfired slightly — the Chelsea winger lasted less than 45 minutes before being replaced by Kelly. But the substitute’s impact was again crucial, not just with the winning penalty, but in providing the assist for Russo’s equaliser.
Spain’s Salma Paralluelo threatened in extra time, but couldn’t find a breakthrough, and the match moved into a dramatic shootout. England’s Beth Mead and Leah Williamson both saw penalties saved, but Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles converted theirs, with Spain’s only successful kick coming from Patri Guijarro.
Kelly’s calm finish ultimately sealed the title, sparking wild celebrations among the England players and fans.
