By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
REDEMPTION CAME from 12 yards as Chloe Kelly converted the decisive penalty to crown England champions of Europe once again, following a tense 3-1 shoot-out victory over Spain after a 1-1 draw in the Women’s Euro 2025 final in Basel.
Six of the Lionesses had been travelling a long road since losing to Spain in the World Cup final two years earlier.
This time, on foreign soil, they flipped the script in front of 34,203 spectators at St Jakob-Park.
The match had been stretched to extra time after goals from Mariona Caldentey for Spain and Alessia Russo for England, but it was Kelly — introduced from the bench — who delivered the final blow.
Spain had taken the lead in the first half when Ona Batlle’s cross was met by Caldentey, punishing England for a sluggish opening. Wiegman’s team, as they had in the quarterfinals and semi-finals, stayed calm.
Having come from behind against Sweden and Italy, the Lionesses drew level just before the hour mark when Kelly crossed for Russo to head home.
England finished stronger but could not find a winner in normal or extra time.
Spain missed three of their four penalties in the shoot-out — including an attempt by Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati, which was saved — while Kelly’s calm conversion capped a remarkable tournament campaign.
Michelle Agyemang and Lauren Hemp were key attacking threats, with substitute Agyemang having already played the hero in the semi-final against Italy, scoring a 96th-minute equaliser.
Kelly again proved the difference in extra time in that match too, a pattern that repeated itself in the final.
Lauren James, who started the final despite fitness concerns, had to be substituted in the first half due to injury. Yet England’s depth and resilience again proved decisive.
Lucy Bronze, visibly emotional, played through injury before being forced off, her face wet with tears as she passed the baton.
Spain controlled possession for large spells and fielded seven Barcelona players in their starting XI but failed to convert dominance into victory.
Cata Coll’s fine goalkeeping, including saves from Beth Mead and Leah Williamson’s penalties, kept Spain in the contest.
However, Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles found the net for England before Kelly delivered the winner.
This win makes Sarina Wiegman the first manager to win three consecutive UEFA Women’s European Championships — once with the Netherlands and now twice with England.
She had previously only lifted major honours on home soil. Now, her squad’s success abroad underscores a new chapter in English football history.
Across the tournament in Switzerland, more than 657,000 fans attended matches, breaking all previous women’s Euros records. Stadium utilisation hit 97 per cent, with sell-outs in 29 of the 31 matches.
England’s travelling supporters dominated, with captain Leah Williamson and her team praising the atmosphere throughout.
With their title defence complete, England have become the first team to retain the UEFA Women’s Euro title since Germany in 2009.
Their journey — marked by focus and determination, tactical shifts, and match-winning cameos — is now immortalised as one of the greatest feats in the history of the English game.
