England sink Spain in shootout to win Euro 2025

Agency :

Chloe Kelly fired in the decisive spot-kick as England beat Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win Euro 2025 on Sunday, successfully defending the title they won three years ago after an enthralling game that ended 1-1 after extra time.

It was another spectacular turnaround from Sarina Wiegman’s side, who came back from two goals down to beat Sweden in a shootout in the last eight and beat Italy in the semi-finals with another extra-time goal from Kelly.

World and Nations League champions Spain made the breakthrough in the 25th minute as Ona Batlle crossed and caught the England defense flat-footed, allowing Mariona Caldentey to head the ball past goalkeeper Hannah Hampton.

With Lauren James suffering an ankle injury, England were struggling, but Kelly came off the bench to replace her just before the break and it proved an inspired substitution.

Kelly helped close down England’s porous left flank and provided the cross for Alessia Russo to level in the 57th minute, the forward heading home her inch-perfect assist.

Spain continued to monopolize the ball but could not find another goal before the end of normal time, and the story continued through extra time as they pressed and probed, but could not break the English defense as the game finished 1-1.

The Spaniards got the shootout off to a great start when Cata Coll stopped Beth Mead’s effort, but England keeper Hannah Hampton saved from Caldentey and from Aitana Bonmati to put England in the driving seat.