Revenge is sweet for Lionesses

Kelly buries Spain as England retain crown

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Chloe Kelly converted the decisive kick as England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to lift the Women's Euro 2025 trophy after Sunday's game had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, allowing the Lionesses to avenge their defeat in the World Cup final two years ago and retain their continental crown.

It looked as though Spain would repeat their victory over England in Sydney in 2023 as they dominated the game at St Jakob-Park in Basel and led through Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header.

But England did not panic, having already trailed against both Sweden in the quarterfinals and Italy in the semis before finding a way to win.

Alessia Russo headed in their equaliser just before the hour mark, and no further goals meant a shootout in which Kelly who once again had a huge impact off the bench — netted the winner.

"I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net," Kelly told the BBC of her penalty.

It was an agonising way to lose for Spain, but they failed to score three of their spot-kicks, with reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati seeing her effort saved.

Sarina Wiegman’s England are therefore back-to-back European champions, three years after they defeated Germany in extra time at Wembley to win a first women’s major tournament.