England beat World Champions, Spain to win the European Championship Title

England cemented their place in history on a balmy evening in Basel, overcoming reigning world champions, Spain in a gripping UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final. After 120 fiercely contested minutes ended in a 1-1 draw, the Lionesses held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to win 3-1, successfully defending their European crown and becoming only the second nation after Germany to retain the trophy.

📸 via www.msn.com

The match took place at St. Jakob-Park, where over 37,000 fans created an electric atmosphere befitting a final between two of the world’s elite. From the outset, it was clear this wouldn’t be a repeat of England’s dominant 2022 final. Spain, polished and poised, took the initiative early with sharp possession play and aggressive pressing in midfield.

Their early dominance was rewarded in the 25th minute. Right-back Ona Batlle, charging forward in support, curled a wicked cross into the box. Rising between two defenders, Mariona Caldentey met it with precision, nodding the ball beyond Hannah Hampton and into the net. Spain’s bench erupted as they took a deserved 1–0 lead, and their grip on the game only tightened.

Aitana Bonmatí, the heartbeat of Spain’s midfield, orchestrated wave after wave of attacks with her trademark vision and poise. Salma Paralluelo was a constant threat on the left flank, using her explosive pace to beat defenders and stretch England’s back line. For much of the first half, England were second-best, forced into hurried clearances and brief counterattacks.

But the Lionesses refused to fold. Before the second half, head coach Sarina Wiegman made a decisive change: Chloe Kelly replaced the injured Lauren James, who had limped off clutching her ankle in the 40th minute. It was a move that shifted the rhythm of the match.

In the 57th minute, Kelly made her mark. Picking up the ball on the right wing, she beat her marker with a burst of pace and delivered a whipped cross into the area. There, striker Alessia Russo timed her run to perfection and powered a header past Cata Coll. England were level, and momentum was turning.

From that point, the match opened up. Both teams traded blows—Spain with intricate build-up play, and England with more direct, incisive counterattacks. Kelly, full of energy and determination, continued to torment the Spanish defence, while Keira Walsh and Georgia Stanway began to exert more control in the middle of the park.

Extra time brought fresh tension. Spain pressed hard, and Hampton was called upon to make two outstanding saves—one low to her left from Paralluelo, and another reaction stop from a Bonmatí volley. But England defended with grit and unity, blocking shots, clearing crosses, and refusing to let the final slip away.

After 120 minutes of high-pressure football, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final between England and Spain came down to penalties in front of a breathless crowd in Basel. Both teams looked drained but determined, with everything now hanging on composure, preparation, and one final push. England had been here before—and this time, they came armed.

England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, thrust into the spotlight during the knockout stages, became the defining figure of the shootout. Observers quickly noticed something unusual on her forearm: a laminated “cheat sheet” strapped with tape, detailing Spain’s likely penalty takers and their preferred shooting directions. As she stood on the line, reading her notes between attempts, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

The shootout opened with a controversial moment. Beth Mead, stepped up confidently and buried her initial spot-kick—only for it to be ruled out due to a double contact, her standing foot slipping and grazing the ball. Forced to retake, she tried to go the same way, but Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll read it and saved comfortably, giving Spain the early psychological advantage.

But Hampton responded.

Spain’s midfield maestro and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, normally ice-cold under pressure, tried to curl her shot into the bottom corner—only for Hampton to dive at full stretch and palm it away brilliantly. It was the first signal that England weren’t going quietly.

Alex Greenwood, always calm and clinical, stepped up next for the Lionesses and tucked her penalty low and hard into the corner, drawing England level. Then came Mariona Caldentey, who had scored Spain’s opener in normal time. She aimed high, but Hampton guessed right again, punching the ball away and roaring in triumph. Her preparation was paying off—one note at a time.

Niamh Charles, one of the tournament’s breakout stars, showed remarkable composure. She struck her penalty with pace and precision, sending Cata Coll the wrong way and putting England ahead 2–1.

Spain, visibly shaken, turned to Salma Paralluelo, whose pace had terrorised defences all tournaments. But in a moment of crushing pressure, the young forward smashed her penalty over the bar, spurning Spain’s chance to stay in touch.

Then, the stage was set for Chloe Kelly—the woman who had sealed the deal in the 2022 final at Wembley. With an almost cinematic calm, she approached, glanced once at the keeper, and rifled her penalty into the top corner. The net rippled, the stadium erupted, and the Lionesses ran to mob their match-winner.

Spain had only converted one of their four attempts. England, battle-worn and bruised, were champions again—thanks in no small part to Hampton’s homework, Kelly’s nerve, and a team that never stops believing.

With Hannah Hampton stopping Spain convert all four penalties, her outstanding saves throughout the game named her Player of the Match. From impact substitute to match-winner—and again echoing her 2022 Euro final heroics—Kelly’s assist and decisive penalty underlined her growing legend among England’s elite.

The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final was more than just a title decider—it was a showcase of talent, leadership, and grit at the highest level of women’s football. Several players and coaching figures rose to the occasion, etching their names into the history books.