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Sarina Wiegmans masterstroke as England Euro 2025 champions after beating Spain on penalties

England are European champions again as the Lionesses showed their incredible resilience as they beat Spain on penalties to win Euro 2025

[Sarina Wiegman]

Sarina Wiegman guided England to Euro 2025 glory(Image: AP)

England are European champions again as the heroic Lionesses retained their crown after beating Spain in the Euro 2025 final.

Three years on from glory in Wembley, England tasted sweet success again in Switzerland as Hannah Hampton was the hero in the penalty shooutout, as England won 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. Hampton's saves gave Chloe Kelly the chance to win it from the spot, and there was no doubt about that.

However, the Lionesses were up against it and on the back foot for most of the contest. Just minutes after Lauren Hemp saw an effort from inside the six-yard box saved, Spain took the lead as they finally figured out Englands press to put together a free-flowing move to find Ona Batlle on the right.

Her cross was inch perfect to find Mariona Caldentey at the back post, who had virtually a free header to direct the ball back across goal and into the far top corner, leaving Hannah Hampton with no chance.

Sarina Wiegmans risky decision to start an injured Lauren James completely backfired after she was unable to track the run of Batlle into the box as the Barcelona right-back had all the time to pick out her cross.

[Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh lift the trophy]

Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh lifted the trophy(Image: PA)

James was a major doubt heading into the game after she had to be withdrawn against Italy after picking up an ankle injury. And she was forced off just minutes later with her and the Lionesses chasing shadows.

Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley said on BBC Radio 5 Live: Lauren James hasn't looked herself has she? She has not been moving well, dropping in or changing pace.

England were made to pay for their sloppiness as Spain grabbed control of the game and dictated play at their own tempo.

The Lionesses were by far second best and completely outclassed by Spain in the first half. La Roja continuously tore down Englands flanks, leaving Alex Greenwood in particular exposed, especially with James unable to track back.

Despite being relieved to be entering the break just one goal down, Wiegman didnt make any changes at the break and the flow of the game continued in the same vein as Spain came back out on top again, forcing Hampton into a number of smart stops.

But in the blink of an eye, as it has happened all tournament for England, the game turned on its head.

[Alessia Russo of England (C) celebrates her goal with her teammates]

Alessia Russo of England (C) celebrates her goal with her teammates(Image: Getty Images)

Wiegman deployed her super sub early, introducing Chloe Kelly for the injured James in the first half, but the Arsenal winger soon turned Englands go-to girl on the big stage again.

Alessia Russo did brilliantly well to head Kellys cross back across goal and into the far top corner. Englands super sub provided again for the Lionesses as Russo got her reward for her tireless work up top.

Emma Sanders lauded the two, praising: Once again, Chloe Kelly has turned the game around for England. Alessia Russo has worked her socks off throughout this entire tournament and hasn't been rewarded.

The goal fired life into England, with Russo and Lucy Bronze both booked soon after for lunging challenges as the spring in their step was obvious. Every cross was now being charged down and blocked and Spain, all of a sudden, were not winning every second ball.

[Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring the team's winning penalty]

Chloe Kelly of England celebrates after scoring the team's winning penalty(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)

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A vastly improved England side in the second half found themselves under considerable pressure late on, and once again were content to be heading to extra-time.

Just like against Sweden in the quarter-final and Italy in the semi-final, England took the game to an extra 30 minutes.

Spain again saw the best chance of the additional time when Salma Paralluelo was somehow unable to get a clean contact on a ball across the face of goal and neither time were able to find that winning goal. So on we went again. England and penalties.

And the nightmare of the shootout against Sweden returned after just one spot kick when Beth Mead was made to retake her converted penalty after she slipped and made contact with the ball twice - seeing her second attempt saved.

But Hampton held her nerve to save Caldentey's spot kick to get the game back on level terms before saving Bonmati's penalty to put England ahead. Seeing Kelly stepping up to win England the Euros - which she duly did.

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