England secured Women’s Euro 2025 glory after defeating world champions Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout, as Sarina Wiegman guided the Lionesses to consecutive titles after a 3-2 shootout win at St. Jakob-Park, in Basel, Switzerland.
Following Chloe Kelly’s winning spot kick and Hannah Hampton’s saves, those decisive moments were pivotal in a gripping contest that ended 1-1, after extra-time, and it also meant that they retained their European Championship – and gained revenge for defeat in the 2023 World Cup final. And, in winning back-to-back European titles and became the first England football team to win a major trophy on foreign soil, they also beat the team who beat them in their last major final two years ago.
Having gone a goal down, at the end of a tournament defined by never-say-die triumphs throughout, following Mariona Caldentey's 25th minute header had opened the scoring for the Spaniards, it was Alessia Russo who equalised for England in the 57th minute, to leave the score at 1-1 after the end of extra time. In the shootout, Hampton saved from both Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati to put England on course, with Kelly dispatching the decisive spot kick to start the party.
And the celebrations didn’t stop there, as, to add to a day of glory, young Lioness star, Michelle Agyemang, was named the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Young Player of the Tournament, after the 19-year-old striker came off the bench to score crucial equalisers against Sweden in the quarter-final and Italy in the last four. She also came on as a substitute in the final as they went on to retain the trophy.
"Michelle made a great contribution to help England reach the final," said the UEFA Technical Observer Group.
"She came on and both times got the goals that England needed to get through." England coach, Sarina Wiegman, said: "We said we can win by any means and that's what we have shown again.
“I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible." - for her, this is a third consecutive Euros success, after having also won as manager of her native Netherlands team!
Defender Lucy Bronze, who revealed that she has played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia, said: "That's what it means to play for England." Fellow-defender, Jess Carter, said: "I just couldn't be prouder.
“I don't know how to sum it up." Asked about the penalties, she said: "I didn't doubt we would win the shootout. I'm just glad Chloe scored as I was next!"
On social media it went into overdrive, with a statement coming from King Charles, who, in a post on the Royal Family X account, said: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!
"As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. For this, you have my whole family’s warmest appreciation and admiration."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmed also led with congratulations, posting: “Congratulations @Lionesses — what a team.
“What a game. What drama,' minutes after the shootout finished.” The English FA have since confirmed an open-top bus parade in central London for tomorrow (Tuesday, July 29) with a planned route that will start at 12.10pm BST and take the bus along The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, where there will a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial from around 12.30pm.
