Lionesses are spot on to keep hold of European crown

RUSSO LEVELS FOR ENGLAND AFTER CALDENTEY OPENER

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ENGLAND retained their European crown with a penalty shootout win against world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final in Basel last night.

It was 1-1 after 90 minutes and neither side could find a winner in extra time. Alessia Russo had equalised for the Lionesses in the second half after Mariona Caldentey had given the Spaniards a first-half lead.

There wasn’t a knockout blow in extra time so it went to penalties.

Beth Mead took England's first spot kick and thought she had scored but had to retake because it was a double-hit. And with the second attempt, Spanish keeper Cata Coll saved.

Patri Guijarro scored for Spain to make it 1-0, before Alex Greenwood converted for the Lionesses.

Caldentey then saw her penalty saved by Hannah Hampton to keep the score level and Niamh Charles made it 2-1 to the Lionesses.

Hampton produced another superb save to deny Spanish star Aitana Bonmati before Coll stuck out a palm to deny Leah Williamson.

Spanish misery continued, however, as Salma Paralluelo dragged her penalty wide.

Chloe Kelly stepped up knowing her penalty would win it for England and she delivered with a superb spot kick as the Lionesses won the shootout 3-1.

Jess Carter and Lauren James were both included in England's starting lineup.