England Beat Spain on Penalties to Retain UEFA Women’s Euro Title
England successfully defended their UEFA Women’s Euro title on Sunday, edging out Spain 3-1 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time.
The tightly contested final at St. Jakob-Park Stadium saw Spain take the lead through Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header, reigniting memories of their 1-0 victory over England in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
However, the Lionesses roared back early in the second half when Alessia Russo struck a powerful equaliser, setting the stage for a tense finish.
The match eventually went into penalties, where England held their nerve. Chloe Kelly slotted home the decisive kick, while Spain faltered from the spot missing three attempts, including one from reigning Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
Spain’s #15 Leila Ouahabi and #18 Salma Paralluelo were visibly emotional after the loss, reflecting the heartbreak of another close finish at a major tournament.
With the win, England not only avenged their World Cup final loss but also cemented their dominance in women’s football, becoming back-to-back European champions.
