Lionesses crowned European champions after dramatic shootout win | OneFootball

England have been crowned champions of Europe once again after a dramatic 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain, following a 1-1 draw after 120 gruelling minutes in Basel.

The Lionesses held their nerve from the spot to secure their second consecutive major title and their first on foreign soil.

Spain had looked sharper early on and took the lead midway through the first half. A flowing move down the right ended with Mariona Caldentey heading past Hannah Hampton, giving La Roja a deserved advantage. .

England were rocked by the goal and the loss of Lauren James to injury just minutes later, and for a while, they struggled to regain their footing. But this team doesn’t fold. Chloe Kelly, brought on earlier than expected, once again proved to be England’s game-changer.

Just before the hour mark, she burst into life down the left and floated a perfect cross into the box. Alessia Russo met it with power and precision to level the score, bringing England roaring back into the contest.

Neither side could find a way through, and the game edged into extra time with tension hanging heavy in the Basel air.

Fatigue soon took hold. A visibly leggy England were under the cosh for much of the additional 30 minutes, but a mix of resolute defending and wasteful Spanish finishing kept them alive and dragged the final into the lottery of penalties.

For the second time this tournament, England’s fate would be decided from the spot.

Patri Guijarro gave Spain the early edge in the shootout, but Alex Greenwood responded calmly for England. Hannah Hampton then guessed right to deny Caldentey, before pulling off a superb stop to keep out Aitana Bonmatí following Niamh Charles’ composed finish. Leah Williamson was denied from the spot, but when Salma Paralluelo fired wide, it fell to Chloe Kelly to step up and seal another unforgettable moment in England’s history.