Lorraine Williamson
England have defended their European title with a dramatic penalty shootout win over Spain, following a 1-1 draw after 120 exhausting minutes.
In front of a sold-out crowd at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, the Lionesses showed grit, steel, and just enough nerve to outlast La Roja and retain the title they won at Wembley in 2022.
It was a night of swings and momentum shifts, dominated for long spells by Spain’s technical class but ultimately decided by England’s composure from the spot. A final that crackled with tension, saw missed chances galore, and ended with England holding their nerve as Spain’s bid for a historic treble came undone.
Early chances and Spanish control
The game kicked off at breakneck pace. England looked sharp early on, pushing high and forcing a scare inside the opening minutes. But Spain settled quickly. After just six minutes, they threatened the England goal with a shot that lacked power, before a flurry of chances followed for Esther González. She sent one effort over the bar in the eighth minute, and again came close a minute later as Spain swarmed forward. By the tenth minute, González had a third opportunity, flashing her effort wide.
England’s defence held firm — just. A sloppy pass across goal from Irene Parades in the 20th minute almost gifted England a goal. Lauren Hemp pounced and unleashed a rocket, but Cata Coll pulled off a superb save. From the resulting corner, England couldn’t capitalise. Spain broke straight away but the counter fizzled out.
Spain kept coming. Aitana Bonmatí was running the midfield, and it was her link-up with Mariona Caldentey that unlocked England on 24 minutes. After some intricate build-up just outside the box, Caldentey rose to meet a cross and nodded past Hannah Hampton to put Spain ahead.
Just a minute later, Ella Toone had a sniff at an equaliser, but her shot was straight into the gloves of Cata Coll. Spain dominated possession. At times, they passed in triangles around England’s midfield as if it were a training drill. By the half-hour mark, it looked one-sided.
Lauren James went down injured in the 38th minute and was replaced by Chloe Kelly. Just before the break, González again came close for Spain, before Kelly fired wide with England’s final chance of the half.
England dig deep
The second half opened up. Spain still had the upper hand, but England began to find more space and asked questions. Kelly burst through just after the hour mark, but Cata Coll got a fingertip on her low strike to push it out for a corner.
Then came the breakthrough England had been chasing. In the 56th minute, Chloe Kelly delivered a dangerous cross, and Alessia Russo timed her run perfectly to head the ball into the bottom corner. Cata Coll stood rooted. Game level. 1-1.
Spain responded with a chance of their own as Bonmatí forced a save. In the 73rd minute, substitute Claudia Pina struck from close range, but Hampton parried and Agyemang, on as a sub herself, headed the ball clear. Spain’s corner was punched away by Hampton under pressure.
With 10 minutes left, both sides looked leggy but dangerous. It was end-to-end, full of fouls, wild crosses and nervy clearances. Eva Navarro came on for Spain, looking to add spark. At 89 minutes, Spain had a corner but couldn’t convert. Four minutes were added, but neither side could find a winner. Extra time beckoned.
Extra time: missed chances and mounting tension
The opening half of extra time was more grit than guile. Heavy legs, rash tackles, few clear chances. Paralluelo nearly found the winner right at the end of the first period, but she failed to connect with a low cross.
Spain looked more dangerous after the restart. Bonmatí had another effort saved, and Vicky López found Paralluelo with a clever through-ball, but hesitation cost her the shot. At 110 minutes, Paralluelo had a golden chance but skied it.
At the other end, Kelly’s corner was tipped away before another Spain attack was smothered. With two minutes left, Georgia Stanway tried her luck from distance, but Cata Coll gathered easily. One final Spanish cross fizzled wide. It was going to penalties.
Penalty shootout: England ace it
Beth Mead stepped up first for England and buried it — but it was ruled out for a movement infringement. Retake. This time, Cata Coll guessed right and parried.
Patri Guijarro made no mistake. 0-1 to Spain.
Alex Greenwood stayed composed and sent hers in off the post. 1-1.
Mariona Caldentey had a chance to restore the lead, but Hampton read her well and saved.
Niamh Charles converted coolly sending the keeper to the left as she struck right. 2-1 England.
Bonmatí saw her effort pushed wide. Huge moment.
Leah Williamson’s shot was saved — a lifeline for Spain.
But Salma Paralluelo, who came on late, pulled hers wide.
All on Chloe Kelly. She strode up and rifled it into the net. Game over.
England won 3-1 on penalties.
Lionesses roar again
England weren’t at their slickest, but they dug in. They weathered Spain’s dominance. And when it came down to bottle, they didn’t blink.
Spain had the better football. They had the flair, the movement, the passing triangles. But they didn’t have the goals. The treble — World Cup, Nations League, Euros — slipped through their fingers.
For England, it’s another page in their golden era. Back-to-back European champions. And a team that, even when outplayed, finds a way to win