Trending 
Spain head coach Montse Tome believes her side were unfortunate to lose the Euro 2025 final, insisting they did enough to at least avoid defeat after falling to England on penalties in Basel.
The reigning world champions were edged out 3-1 in the shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra time at St Jakob-Park on Sunday, with Tome expressing her disappointment at the result.
“I think this team deserved more,” she told reporters. “We worked so hard for a long time to get here, to the final against a top-level side in England, and I thought the team deserved more, or at least not to be left with the feeling we have now.”
Spain had taken the lead in the 25th minute through Mariona Caldentey, only for England to level just before the hour mark with a header from Alessia Russo. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, forcing the match to be decided on penalties.
Aitana Bonmati and Caldentey both saw their efforts saved by England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while Salma Paralluelo missed the target entirely. Patri Guijarro was the only Spanish player to score in the shoot-out, before Chloe Kelly converted the decisive spot-kick for England.
“This is sport, and in sport you have to accept defeat,” said Tome. “I thought we played very well in the first half. After they equalised in the second half, perhaps it took the wind out of our sails a bit, but in extra time we controlled possession and pressed for the winner.”
Spain, contesting their first-ever European Championship final, dominated the match statistically, enjoying 60% of the possession and registering 24 shots to England’s 10. However, they ultimately paid for not capitalising on their opportunities.
“I thought we were the better team,” Tome added. “But in football, it’s not always the best team who wins. England are a great side and have been very competitive throughout this tournament. They got the equaliser and then defended well to take it to penalties.”
Tome also defended her choice of penalty takers.
“They all said they were confident and I had confidence in them,” she said. “In the end, anyone can score or miss a penalty, but the players gave everything.”
