History was made when England Women defeated Spain Women on penalties in the Women’s Euro 2025 final.
As the defending champions, the Lionesses successfully defended their crown, joining Germany as the only nation to achieve this feat.
Having defeated Sarina Wiegman’s side two summers ago to become world champions, Spain sought to follow in the footsteps of DFB-Frauen, striving to be the only European nation to hold both titles simultaneously.
Both teams entered this showpiece match in contrasting forms, but as always, that can be irrelevant when it’s for all the marbles.
It looked like Spain’s championship was in the bag when Mariona Caldentey put them in front, and they subsequently dominated. However, right throughout the knockout phase, England didn’t know when they were beaten, as Alessia Russo equalised. No more goals were scored in regulation time or the subsequent 30 minutes of extra play, meaning the contest swiftly moved to a dreaded shootout, which saw Wiegman’s ladies come out on top, winning 3-1.
Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati, and Salma Paralluelo missed their spot kicks — the first two saved by Hannah Hampton — while Leah Williamson and Beth Mead were England’s only failures from 12 yards.
Here’s how the players rated at St. Jakob-Park:
England
Hannah Hampton – 7.5 – Capped off an incredible debut tournament with four important saves across 120 minutes before turning into England’s heroine in the shootout, saving two penalties.
Lucy Bronze – 7 – Another typically full-throttle Bronze performance with the veteran full-back epitomising England’s never-say-die spirit. But her style of play comes with risks, as the well-travelled defender found herself going into the referee’s book after a mistimed follow-through following a challenge. Came off after the first half of extra time, having seemingly exhausted all her energy.
Leah Williamson – 7.5 – Missed the 2023 World Cup final due to injury, but Williamson made up for lost time by guiding England through Spain’s storm and individually was impressive with an 89% passing accuracy while registering a perfect tackle completion rate.
Jess Carter – 7 – A much improved showing compared to the match against Sweden in the quarter-finals, where Carter struggled. The centre-back was commanding at the back against Spain’s fleet-footed attack, winning all of her aerial duels within 90 minutes.
Alex Greenwood – 6.5 – Enjoyed a fascinating contest with Del Castillo on Spain’s right wing, the pair coming face to face several times, but it was on Greenwood’s side where Spain crafted their opening goal.
Ella Toone – 6.5 – Had a 100% dribble success rate but couldn’t impact the match greatly from midfield despite creating one goal-scoring opportunity and having a single attempt on goal that was off target.
Keira Walsh – 6.5 – Having previously turned out for Barcelona, there was a degree of familiarity in today’s midfield battle. No one in an England jersey won more tackles (4/5) than Walsh.
Georgia Stanway – 6 – Put in a shift up against Spain’s formidable midfield: winning half of her tackles but was dispossessed on three occasions, more than anyone on the pitch.
Lauren Hemp – 6 – Saw a low effort, brilliantly saved by Spain’s goalkeeper, out for a corner following her own vision at cutting out a La Roja pass out from defence. Booked in extra time after producing a late tackle.
Alessia Russo – 7 – Worked tirelessly as England’s lone striker and was rewarded for her graft by netting the equaliser when she nodded home Kelly’s cross from the left, which looped over Coll in the Spain goal.
Lauren James – 6 – James, who started energetically, left the pitch injured before half-time. England’s quarter-final and semi-final heroine, Chloe Kelly, replaced the Chelsea star and nearly made an immediate impact before providing the cross for England’s equaliser.
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Spain
Catalina Coll – 7 – Kept her side in the game with four saves, including a brilliant one to deny Hemp, and would be disappointed to have conceded in the manner she did.
Ona Batlle – 8 – The former Man Utd full-back played her part in Spain’s opener by delivering an inviting cross into the centre, which Mariona eagerly attacked to nod emphatically into the corner of the net. She also won two aerial duels, three tackles, wasn’t dispossessed when marauding forward, and won a single take-on. An all-around performance and unfortunate to end up on the losing side.
Irene Paredes – 7 – Another commanding performance from the defensive stalwart. Paredes won a team-high four aerial duels to go with an impressive 90% pass completion rate.
Laia Aleixandri – 7 – Finished the game with the most touches of anyone (89), and the Man City centre-back was seldom in trouble.
Olga Carmona – 7 – The more defensive-minded of Spain’s full-backs, Carmona, won three aerial duels, made six clearances, and had two interceptions. She departed following the first half of extra time.
Aitana Bonmati – 7 – As usual, Spain’s conductor was there, but there wasn’t a single moment Bonmati showcased why she’s the world’s best, as England often limited her influence, with her missed spot kick illustrating an ineffectual performance.
Patricia Guijarro – 7 – Scored her side’s only penalty in the shootout and was the more impressive of Spain’s midfielders with six tackles and two aerial duels won, plus creating a single goalscoring opportunity deep from midfield.
Alexia Putellas – 6.5 – By her lofty standards, this was a below-average outing for the former two-time Ballon d’Or winner. Putellas had one attempt on goal, which didn’t test Hampton, while her passing success was below 90%.
Athenea del Castillo – 6.5 – Preferred over Claudia Pina due to her direct approach. Ended up with two attempts on goal, with neither on target, while completing just one of four dribbles.
Esther Gonzalez – 6 – Had the game’s first real opportunity but was wonderfully denied by Hampton before having another chance to break the deadlock, though it was well off target. Following those early skirmishes, the tournament’s leading scorer had minimal contribution to Spain’s attacking endeavours.
Mariona Caldentey – 7.5 – Finished off a flowing Spanish move with a fierce header to break the deadlock. Caldentey had two additional shots on goal, with one more hitting the target.