Five moments which defined England’s EURO 2025 triumph | OneFootball

England became back-to-back EURO champions on Sunday as they beat Spain 3-1 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra-time in the final in Basel.

Montse Tomé’s side had taken the lead in the first half through a Mariona Caldentey header, but Alessia Russo brought the Lionesses level after the break.

With neither side able to find a winner, the contest was ultimately settled by a shootout - one in which Sarina Wiegman’s side came out on top.

So, here are five moments that defined England’s title-winning campaign in Switzerland…

Netherlands win prevents early exit

📸 Matthias Hangst - 2025 Getty Images

Following their opening group-stage defeat to France, England’s tournament was at risk of ending before it had even truly begun.

Drawn into the so-called ‘group of death’, which also featured the Netherlands and Wales, the Lionesses were staring down the barrel of an early exit on matchday two.

They simply could not afford to lose to the Dutch, which made their 4-0 victory all the more emphatic. Lauren James struck twice, with Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone also on the scoresheet in a commanding performance.

It was a result that arguably served as a launchpad for the rest of the campaign, and the first real sign that this England team can rise to the occasion when it matters most.

Dramatic Sweden comeback

📸 SEBASTIEN BOZON - AFP or licensors

After rounding off the group stage with wins over the Netherlands and Wales, England were brought crashing back down to earth when they found themselves 2-0 down at half-time in their quarter-final against Sweden.

Wiegman’s side simply couldn’t live with the threat posed by Kosovare Asllani and Stina Blackstenius, and looked for all the world like they were heading home. But England do not know when they’re beaten, and they refused to accept defeat.

Inspired substitutions proved decisive, with Chloe Kelly teeing up Lucy Bronze for the first before Michelle Agyemang netted her first goal of the tournament to level it.

England then - just about - got the job done on penalties. In a world where you make your own luck, the Lionesses certainly earned theirs.

Agyemang the saviour against Italy

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2025 Getty Images

Speaking of Agyemang - whose surname quite literally means ‘saviour of nation’ - it was fitting that the teenager rescued England in the semi-final.

Once again, Wiegman’s side made a poor start and found themselves trailing after Barbara Bonansea struck for Italy.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, the Lionesses’ hopes looked all but gone. Surely, they couldn’t pull it off again?

On a night when composure in front of goal had deserted them, it was Agyemang who remained the calmest of all, slotting home a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser to take the game to extra-time.

Kelly then converted a winning penalty with one of the final kicks of the match.

Defensive masterclass against Spain

📸 Charlotte Wilson - 2025 Getty Images

As had become something of a recurring theme, England fell behind again in the final, this time to Caldentey’s first-half header.

The 2023 world champions showed no signs of letting up, launching wave after wave of attack.

Following Russo’s equaliser and her subsequent substitution, the Lionesses spent much of the second half and extra-time under relentless pressure.

That’s why huge credit must go to the defence - particularly Leah Williamson and Jess Carter - who were flawless throughout.

Given how fragile the backline had looked at times during the tournament, the resilience shown in Basel was all the more impressive.

When England needed complete composure, they delivered.

Kelly’s penalty heroics

📸 FABRICE COFFRINI - AFP or licensors

Chloe Kelly. Queen of the penalty kick.

Whether delivering pinpoint assists or holding her nerve from the spot, she consistently came up clutch for England.

During a tense shootout against Sweden, Kelly was ice-cool. Against Italy in the dying moments of extra-time, her penalty was initially saved, but she made sure the rebound found the net.

So, it was only fitting that Kelly stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick in the final. With her trademark run-up and ice in her veins - as well as the weight of a nation on her shoulders - she delivered in style.

A true master of the big moment.