Euro 2025: Gritty England defend title with fitting final win over Spain - Lionesses always find a way | OneFootball

Lionesses led for a total of four minutes and 52 seconds across their three knockout matches

As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, the England players were off, charging towards Chloe Kelly.

Of course, it was Kelly that struck the winning penalty to crown the Lionesses champions of Europe again and that typified how this was a script we have all seen before.

England, as has been the case for much of Euro 2025, were not at their best in this final - but somehow they found a way to win.

Spain were technically the superior side. Their attempted passes were over 750 and nearly doubled that of England’s. They had 22 shots to England’s eight.

The Lionesses, however, combated it with a performance full of grit and grind. Hannah Hampton was the hero, crowning a stunning display and a brilliant tournament by saving two penalties during the shootout.

Ahead of her, Jess Carter and Leah Williamson were colossus. Carter was the only change from the semi-final win over Italy, recalled in place of Esme Morgan.

She more than justified her selection, putting in an incredible performance when you consider the racist abuse she suffered only a week ago in the wake of England’s quarter-final victory over Sweden.

This final followed the pattern of that Sweden game and the win over Italy. England had to come from behind for the third match in a row after Mariona Caldentey’s opener midway through the first half, but it did not faze them.

Sarina Wiegman’s side have shown at this Euros that they are truly the “Queens of Comebacks”, and so it proved here in Basel when it mattered most.

Remarkably, the only time England have led in a knockout game at this Euros was against Italy - when Kelly struck in the 119th minute.

Kelly has been a game-changer for England off the bench at this tournament and she was crucial in this victory over Spain.

Coming on for Lauren James, who lasted just 40 minutes before injury struck, Kelly added pace and impetus to England’s attack.

It was her perfect cross that found Alessia Russo, with the Arsenal’s striker header shortly after half-time getting England back on level terms.

Momentum was with the Lionesses at that point and you wondered if they would kick on. Michelle Agyemang was thrown on, England’s hero in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, but she was kept quiet by Spain.

Alessia Russo’s header got England level in the second-half

The FA via Getty Images

Beth Mead also struggled to make an impact and, instead, it was Spain that will feel they should have won this game before penalties.

Claudia Pina was denied by a big save from Hampton, while Salma Paralluelo somehow failed to turn a cross home from a matter of yards.

It was backs to the wall stuff from the Lionesses - “Proper England” as they call it - and it got them to penalties.

England had already won one shootout at this tournament, a truly bonkers one against Sweden in the semi-final.

This one was far less chaotic, although when Mead slipped and double-hit the ball for the opening penalty - forcing her to retake it - you feared the worst.

Mead’s retaken penalty was saved and, suddenly, England were on the back foot.

No matter, though, not for this team, not for this squad. Alex Greenwood cooly slotted her penalty and then Hampton made two huge saves, first from Caldentey and then Aitana Bonmati.

Even Williamson having her spot-kick saved could not derail England and, after Paralluelo missed, it was left to Kelly to finish the job.

It was never in doubt and the Arsenal winger had barely started celebrating, before she was mobbed by white shirts.

Even Wiegman was down the touchline, dancing with the players as “Sweet Caroline” blared out around the stadium.

The “Queens of Comebacks” are now the Queens of Europe, again.