Disappointment was written all over Aitana Bonmatí's face. © APA/afp / SEBASTIEN BOZON

Spanish women “in shock” after penalty drama

After the final humiliation, the Spanish royal family published a memorable locker room photo: Princesses Leonor and Sofía amidst the football players, who simply couldn't bring themselves to smile.

July 28, 2025

From: dpa

"I'm a bit shocked," said World Footballer Aitana Bonmatí, speaking on behalf of the women's world champions who missed out on their first European Championship title. "This is simply horrible."

The 27-year-old from FC Barcelona and her coach Montse Tomé also proved to be sore losers after a nerve-wracking evening in a sold-out St. Jakob-Park with 34.203 spectators. The score was 1-1 after 120 minutes. And in the 1-3 penalty shootout, Bonmatí, later named the tournament's best player, was one of the players who made the mistake.

"For me, England is a team capable of not playing well and still winning," said the 1,61-meter-tall strategist. "Some teams don't need much to win." Tomé said in the press conference: "I think we were better. But football is a sport where the best team doesn't always win." The 43-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of August, now has to fear for her future as national coach.

“And then it was over”

She had already missed out on a major triumph at the 2024 Olympics, when her team lost to Germany in the bronze medal match. "We deserved a different final. Today I feel like we almost made it – and then it was over," lamented Tomé. She didn't want to talk much about her personal future: "It's not something I'm thinking about right now."

The award for the tournament's best player was little consolation. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

The Spanish women managed the feat of missing five of their six penalties at the European Championship: two in regular time in the quarterfinal against Switzerland, and three (Bonmatí, Salma Paralluelo, Mariona Caldentey) from the penalty spot in the dramatic final. Bonmatí apologized for her miss, complaining: "We were the better team on the pitch – but not in the penalty shootout."

With tears in my eyes

The midfielder pointed out that her team hadn't lost a single match in Switzerland – but that only applied to regular time and extra time in the furious final. And with a bitter voice, Bonmatí also recalled "that two months ago I was in the same situation with my club": Back then, she and Barça lost 0-1 to Arsenal in the Champions League final.

Coach Montse Tome proved to be a sore loser. © APA/afp / SEBASTIEN BOZON

With tears in her eyes, captain Irene Paredes said goodbye to the journalists: "This is a tough moment. We deserved more. I'm sure this team will bring joy again soon." Bonmatí pointed to the World Cup in Brazil in two years: "We want the title there; we can't just leave it like this."