In a high-stakes final held in Basel, England successfully defended their UEFA Women’s Euro title by defeating Spain in a tense penalty shootout. The match showcased moments of exceptional skill, tactical discipline, and emotional intensity, concluding with England emerging as back-to-back champions.

Early Lead for Spain, Tactical Response from England

Spain opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Mariona Caldentey connected with a well-placed cross from Ona Batlle. The goal was a product of Spain's early control and technical precision. England, trailing at the break, returned for the second half with renewed intent.

Manager Sarina Wiegman made key tactical changes, adjusting the team’s formation and increasing the tempo of their attacks. The move paid off when Chloe Kelly delivered a pinpoint cross that Alessia Russo headed into the net in the 57th minute. This equaliser shifted the momentum and balanced the contest.

Extra Time and a Shift in Tempo

Despite multiple attacking moves during extra time, both teams were unable to find a breakthrough. Spain’s Salma Paralluelo came close, but England’s goalkeeper Hannah Hampton remained composed under pressure. The match was further complicated for England when Lucy Bronze was forced to leave the field due to a knee injury. It was later revealed that she had played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia.

With the scores level after 120 minutes, the final moved to a penalty shootout.

Penalty Shootout: England Hold Their Nerve

Spain began the shootout with visible confidence, but pressure soon took its toll. Hampton saved efforts from both Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí. England's penalty takers remained composed, and the decisive moment came when Chloe Kelly stepped forward and converted the final kick, replicating her heroics from the 2022 final.

Hannah Hampton was awarded Player of the Match for her critical role in the shootout. Despite her missed penalty, Aitana Bonmatí received the Player of the Tournament honour, recognising her consistent performances throughout the championship. Michelle Agyemang, who made key contributions in earlier matches, was named Young Player of the Tournament.

Key Decisions and Reactions

Wiegman’s decision to start Lauren James, who was recovering from an ankle injury, attracted scrutiny. James played only 40 minutes before being replaced by Kelly, who proved pivotal in England’s resurgence. Wiegman's halftime adjustments were widely credited for turning the match in England’s favour.

The tactical discipline and mental resilience demonstrated by England in the knockout rounds and the final underscored their championship pedigree.

Broader Significance

England became only the second team in history to defend a UEFA Women’s Euro title, joining Germany in that exclusive category. For Wiegman, this marked a third consecutive Euro title as a coach, further solidifying her legacy in women’s football.

The final drew a stadium crowd of 34,203 and over 45 million global viewers. With commercial revenues nearly doubling those of the 2022 edition, Euro 2025 stands as the most financially successful tournament in the competition’s history.

Spain’s Campaign: A Display of Promise and Progress

Spain controlled 67 percent of possession and registered 24 shots on goal. Their technical control and passing combinations were effective throughout the match, but they were unable to convert dominance into a decisive result.

Coach Montse Tomé expressed pride in her team's performance, acknowledging the disappointment while highlighting the progress made. She described the campaign as a turning point for Spanish women's football.

Looking Ahead

England’s squad will return home to public celebrations and a planned trophy parade in London. The focus will soon shift to the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying draw scheduled for November.

Spain’s journey continues with an opportunity to compete in the UEFA Nations League later this year. Despite the heartbreak of the final, their performances in the tournament confirmed their status as one of Europe’s elite teams.

England’s victory reflected more than just technical skill. It highlighted the value of resilience, composure under pressure, and the depth of a well-prepared squad. Spain’s artistry and control made for a compelling final, but it was England’s execution in decisive moments that ultimately separated the champions from the challengers.