England and Spain finished level at 1-1 after a pulsating Euro 2025 final in Basel, the scoreline setting the stage for a tense shoot‑out in which the Lionesses held their nerve to claim consecutive European titles.
Spain broke the deadlock in the first half as Mariona Caldentey rose to head in from a cross deep into the 25th minute.
But the Lionesses rallied after the break – Alessia Russo directed Chloe Kelly’s pinpoint delivery into the net minutes before the hour mark.
When the match went to penalties, England showed remarkable composure. Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles scored with clinical precision, and Hannah Hampton stood tall to save two Spanish efforts.
Chloe Kelly then calmly converted the decisive spot-kick, sending the Lionesses into raptures and sealing their title defence.
Here, Mail Sport’s Tara Anson‑Walsh rates the players after England’s monumental triumph.
England (4-3-3)
Hannah Hampton – 9
England’s penalty hero. When the chips were down following Beth Mead’s miss, Hampton stepped up in style and has fully justified Wiegman’s call to make her the undisputed No 1.
Lucy Bronze – 6.5
Relentlessly energetic and linked up well with Lauren Hemp – who had swapped sides from the last game. A tired tackle picked her up a yellow card in the second half.
Leah Williamson – 7
England’s best player on the pitch in the first half. Read the game well and her ball over to Alessia Russo in the opening minutes was world-class.
Jess Carter – 7
Struggled to handle the pace of her Gotham FC teammate Esther Gonzalez in the early stages but recovered well and made a superb block on Salma Paralluelo.
Alex Greenwood – 6
Had a testing first-half. Passing accuracy not as up to scratch as she has shown in pre-tournament times but made an important intervention against Esther Gonzalez late in the second half.
Keira Walsh – 6
Struggled to impose herself on the game. Was important defensively but her niche – decisive passing and controlling the tempo of the game – was largely absent.
Ella Toone – 6
Was virtually invisible in the first half but had glimmers of improvement in the second. Nearly set up Chloe Kelly in the second half. Withdrawn for Beth Mead.
Georgia Stanway – 6.5
Had a busy evening keeping Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati in check. Was too easily outmuscled by Bonmati in the build-up to Spain’s opener.
Lauren James – 4
Was touch and go in terms of her fitness coming into this game and it showed. Gave the ball away several times and was substituted before half-time.
Alessia Russo – 7
Came close early on and worked relentlessly, as she has done all tournament. Finally got her first goal of the knockout stages after so many games without the reward.
Lauren Hemp – 7
Was England’s brightest spark in attack in the first half until Chloe Kelly’s substitution. Looked much livelier after swapping to the right flank but an underwhelming goal tally of one this tournament.
Substitutes: Kelly (9, 40min) – star of the show yet again after coming off the bench on 40 minutes and nervelessly firing home the winning penalty.
Agyemang (6, 72min), Mead (5, 87min), Charles (6, 106min), Clinton (5, 116min).
Not used: Keating, Moorhouse, Beever-Jones, Le Tissier, Morgan, Park, Wubben-Moy.
Sarina Wiegman – 6
Made a questionable decision to start a not-fully-fit Lauren James. Otherwise, was more proactive than usual in her substitutions.
Referee: Stephanie Frappart – 5.
Attendance: 34,203
