This is how England celebrates its European Championship triumph. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Final thriller: England is European champion

England's women's soccer team danced exuberantly to the classic "Sweet Caroline," while Spain's World Player of the Year, Aitana Bonmatí, stood transfixed in the center circle. The Lionesses demystified the Spanish world champions in a thrilling European Championship final and defended their title in dramatic fashion.

July 27, 2025

From: dpa/det

The English women showed great nerves of steel and celebrated a 3-1 penalty shootout win in Basel after the score had been 120-1 (1-1, 1-1, 1-0) after 1 minutes.

"I'm just so incredibly proud of the team. I'm so grateful to be standing here," said striker Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive penalty in the shootout. Kelly had already scored the winning goal in the 2022 European Championship final against Germany. "I hope the whole of England comes out and celebrates with us," said the 27-year-old.

The Spanish women were disappointed. © ANSA / GEORGIOS KEFALAS

Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was also the match winner in front of 34.203 spectators at the sold-out St. Jakob-Park in Basel, saving penalty shots from Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí. Substitute Salma Paralluelo also missed. "This feels unreal. This tournament has been a whirlwind," said Georgia Stanway, who plays for FC Bayern Munich.

England fights back

In what was a long, one-sided match, Caldentey gave the Spanish favorites the lead in the 25th minute. But the English fought their way back into the game, with Alessia Russo equalizing in the 57th minute. In a thrilling finale and extra time, the score remained unchanged – and so the final went to penalties. With England coming out on top.

For England's Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, this was her fifth World Cup or European Championship final, her third consecutive European Championship triumph, following successes with her home country (2017) and England (2022). She equaled the record held by former DFB coach Tina Theune (1997, 2001, and 2005).