England defeat Spain on penalties to win Euro 2025

England are the UEFA Euro 2025 champions after defeating Spain on penalties at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland.

In a dramatic shootout, England held their nerve to win 3-1 with Chloe Kelly rocketing home the decisive kick after extra time finished 1-1.

The Lionesses successfully defended their European title and gained revenge for their defeat to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final.

A Spain side with a heavy Catalan accent fell just short after an incredible tournament and will feel unlucky to have ended up as runners-up.

In shock

Aitana Bonmatí could not hide her disappointment in an interview with Spanish broadcaster TVE after the final whistle.

"I'm in a really bad way right now, a bit in shock," said Barça's two-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Penalties are part of the game as well," she admitted, after seeing her effort saved by the England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. 

In the end, Bonmatí's Barça teammate Patri was the only Spain player to find the net in the shootout, with Greenwood, Charles, and Kelly scoring for England. 

Familiar foes battle

This Euro 2025 final was the third meeting between the Lionesses and La Roja this year, with their Nations League games both ending in narrow victories for the home team, most recently after a brace from supersub Clàudia Pina at Espanyol's RCDE Stadium.

It was always likely, therefore, to be a tight match between defending European champions England and world champions Spain, and so it proved. 

Spain took the lead after 25 minutes, Mariona Caldentey rising to head in from Del Castillo's cross after a lovely one-two from Barça teammates Ona Batlle and Aitana Bonmatí.

Despite Spain dominating possession and creating the better chances, the scoreline remained 1-0 at half-time.

England had already come from behind in both their quarterfinal against Sweden and their semifinal against Italy, and they responded well again in the final against Spain.

Alessia Russo – who also scored the last time these two sides met – found the equaliser on 57 minutes, heading in from a Chloe Kelly cross. Kelly, not for the first time this tournament, provided the creative spark for England off the bench.

As players tired, there were opportunities in extra time – especially for Spain – with Barça's Salma Paralluelo spurning a great chance just before half time.

But in the end, 120 minutes couldn’t separate the sides – it came down to a penalties, with glory for England and heartbreak for Spain.