ENGLAND cemented their place in history with a penalty shootout victory over Spain to defend their European title at Euro 2025.
Chloe Kelly, who scored the iconic winner at Wembley in the final of Euro 2022, was the hero again as she converted the decisive spot-kick to seal victory after Spain had missed three in a row, with Hannah Hampton saving two of them.
It is the first time an England team has won a major trophy on foreign soil and cements manager Sarina Wiegman’s status as one of the world’s greatest with her third successive European title – achieved with two countries.
The Lionesses also became the first side to win a single-legged Euros final having been behind at half time, proving they are the ultimate comeback queens.
They looked down and out when they trailed for a fourth time at Euro 2025, having conceded first in all three knockout matches – but they would not allow their story to end in such a feeble manner.
Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header had put Spain in control, but it did little to dampen England’s unwavering belief and they refused to be beaten.
Substitute Kelly’s introduction changed things when she came on for struggling Lauren James, named in the starting XI by Wiegman despite doubts over an ankle injury in the build-up.
Kelly’s whipped cross picked out Alessia Russo, who headed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-1.
The Lionesses then dug deep, putting in endless blocks and playing for a shootout, knowing they had what it took to deliver under pressure and complete the greatest achievement by an England team.
Having been second best in Sydney, England were seeking redemption for their World Cup final defeat and knew they faced the toughest of tests.
They have done things the hard way throughout the tournament – bouncing back from an opening defeat by France, coming from 2-0 down to beat Sweden in a penalty shootout and leaving it until the last minute to net a winner in extra time against Italy in the semi-final.
But despite demonstrating their comeback ability, few would have given them much of a chance at half-time when Wiegman’s gamble on James had backfired and Spain were cruising.
Goalkeeper Hampton had to make several key saves, before Kelly’s introduction helped kick England into action and Russo scored her first goal of the knockout stages.
It has been a theme of this tournament – that England’s resilience was beyond anything shown by anyone else. They know how to win, they had proven it before and that was all they needed to turn to in the toughest moments.
Wiegman, the composer, the coolest woman in the stadium, made the right changes when it was clear Plan A had gone askew, another theme of the tournament.
And Kelly, who has enjoyed the limelight in this generation of Lionesses, ensured she had another key contribution in the final.
There was never any doubt when she fired the ball past goalkeeper Cata Coll, then ran into the corner by the England fans to celebrate – her shirt not whirling around her head this time, but held tightly by her team-mates.
This will go down as the greatest achievement by an English football team and proves their status as one of the world’s elite.