Euro 2025: Lionesses ready to complete England's first title defence, says Leah Williamson | OneFootball

Sarina Wiegman’s side are out to make history but must first overcome the world champions Spain in Sunday’s final

Leah Williamson says England are motivated by the opportunity to make history as they prepare to face Spain in the final of Euro 2025.

No England side - men’s or women’s - has won a major trophy on foreign soil, and they have also never retained a major title.

If the Lionesses beat Spain on Sunday, they will achieve both those feats and write themselves into the history books.

“It is a real privileged time to be part of this team and to be involved,” said Williamson. “Again, the opportunity that is there to be the first this and first that, all the time for us, is a huge motivator - but more just because we know what it would do for women’s football and continue the legacy that we’ve already started.

“You don’t want to just be a flash in the pan, like a memory. And I think when we spoke before Euro 2022, we said it was the start of something.

“We are still trying to play our role in that, so being here and being on this stage, we know how powerful that is.”

England have had a rollercoaster run to the final, narrowly avoiding defeat in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

The Lionesses needed late goals in both of those games to avoid going out, but Williamson believes they are ready to raise their level.

“I think you grow in a tournament - and we are aware of that,” she said.

“The most important thing for us is, as the game goes on, taking advantage of the work that we have done at the start.

“Every team is hard to beat and every team poses a different threat and challenge, and we have to stay in it for as long as possible until we can take advantage of it.

“Hopefully, your saying will be true, and the best is yet to come.”

Spain go into the game in Basel as favourites after winning all five of their games at this Euros.

They are also the current world champions, beating England in the final two years ago, but Williamson says the Lionesses aren’t underdogs.

“I think tomorrow we play a game against the world champions, who continue to prove themselves over and over in the way they play football,” said Williamson.

“They are a fantastic football team, they are the best at what they do, and we are very much aware of that.

“We think that we are pretty good in some areas as well. So, we need to be at our best to beat Spain.

“I think they need to be at their best to beat us, too. There is a lot of respect between the two teams and I’d be resistant to rule a clear underdog in this scenario.

“But ultimately, like I said, we go against the world champions tomorrow and that’s not an easy job.”