England WIN Euro 2025 as familiar hero gives Lionesses penalty shootout win over Spain

England are back-to-back European champions after a sensational penalty shoot-out win against Spain. Chloe Kelly, the Lionesses saviour throughout the knockout stages, stepped up to score the winning spot-kick and send the Lionesses’ fans wild.

After needing spot-kicks to see off Sweden in the quarter-finals of Euro 2025 and seeing their semi against Italy settled in extra-time, Sarina Wiegman’s side went the distance for a third time.

There was yet more shoot-out drama in Basel, and it felt inevitable that Kelly would win it all.

Beth Mead saw a twice-taken penalty saved by Cata Coll, but Hannah Hampton denied Mariona Caldentey.and Aitana Bonmati - only for Coll to produce a huge stop from Leah Williamson.

Salma Paralluelo sent her kick wide, though, and Kelly blasted England to the title, handing Wiegman her THIRD successive European Championship, the Lionesses successfully defending the title they won in 2021 after she'd led her home nation, Netherlands, to victory in 2017.

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“This team is just unbelievable, incredible," said Hampton. "We’ve shown throughout the tournament we can come back when we go a goal back. We’ve got that grit, that English blood in us. We never say die, we keep going and we did that today.

“When Chloe stepped up I turned around to the fans, miming a kick and trying to ask if we score do we win, I’d completely lost track. They were just cheering at me so I didn’t know what the answer was, but then I saw that run up and that was it, we’ve won. I can’t believe it.”

“I’m so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge and so proud to be English," said Kelly. “I was cool, I was composed, I knew I going to hit the back of the net. I don’t miss penalties twice.

“It’s unbelievable, it’s not just this team it’s the staff behind us. Twenty-three players and all the staff behind us. Sarina Wiegman has done it again. It’s unbelievable.

“It’s going to be crazy. I hope the whole of England comes out to support us and show the love to all these girls because they deserve it.”

At times in the first half it looked as though Spain had too much for Sarina Wiegman’s side, but it was a different story after the teams emerged for the second half. And there was nothing to choose between the sides after a tense 120 minutes.

Wiegman’s Lauren James gamble didn’t pay off, with the playmaker unable to give England even 45 minutes before her day came to an end. But her replacement Kelly delivered once more, setting up Alessia Russo to bring England level before the hour mark after Mariona Caldentey had headed Spain into a half-time lead.

Both managers made changes to their starting XI. One of those was expected, with Laia Aleixandri returning from suspension for Spain, but Montse Tome also introduced Athenea del Castillo in place of Claudia Pina while England boss Wiegman recalled Jess Carter for Esme Morgan at centre-back.

England started on the front foot, with Alessia Russo beating the offside trap and drawing an important low save from Cata Coll. Lauren James, starting on the left after being ruled fit to start, didn’t gamble on the rebound and the danger was soon clear.

At the other end, Esther Gonzalez showed why she went into the final as the tournament’s top scorer. Spain’s number nine has a knack for finding space for a shot where others can’t, first bringing the best out of Hannah Hampton and then sending a powerful effort wide of the near post.

England clearly had it in their gameplan to press Spain high up the pitch and it very nearly paid off inside 20 minutes.

Lauren Hemp was quick off the mark to latch onto a loose pass from Cata Coll, but the Spain keeper redeemed herself with a big left foot to keep out the winger’s effort.

And barely five minutes later it was 1-0 to the World Cup holders, with Caldentey rising unmarked to power home a header from Ona Batlle’s cross.

Spain couldn’t get a second, though, and England were able to draw level.

Once again it was Kelly who made a key contribution from the bench, cutting onto her right foot and sending in a pinpoint cross for Russo to head home.

The goal allowed England to enjoy a period on top, with Russo playing with confidence, and the next goal always looked like it would be a crucial one.

It wouldn’t come from Russo, though, with the Arsenal forward making way for club colleague Michelle Agyemang 20 minutes from time.

Spain introduced Claudia Pina around the same time, and the sub kept Hampton honest with a powerful effort which the keeper had to beat away. Neither side could find a second goal before the end of the 90, and so England faced extra-time for the third straight game.

Spain sub Vicky Lopez caused problems in the additional 30 minutes with her fresh legs while another Spanish replacement, Salma Paralluelo, missed a glorious chance to put Spain back in front when missing her attempted flicked finish inside the six-yard box.

With no-one able to find a winner, it went to spot-kicks where Hampton stood tall and Kelly rattled in the winner.

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