England retain EURO crown with shootout victory over Spain

England Reigns Supreme: Penalty Shootout Secures Historic EURO Double

Basel - A thrilling penalty shootout saw England claim a second consecutive UEFA Women’s EURO title after defeating Spain 3-1 in a captivating final.

The match was a tactical battle between two formidable sides, with neither team able to break the deadlock in regulation time. Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring for Spain in the first half with a powerful header, only for Alessia Russo to level matters just after halftime, capitalizing on a Chloe Kelly cross.

Despite both teams creating chances throughout the game, the score remained tied at 1-1 after extra time, forcing the decisive penalty shootout. England's composure under pressure proved crucial as they converted three penalties while Spain only managed one.

Early Fireworks and Missed Opportunities:

England started with intent, with Russo forcing an early save from Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll. Spain responded with a flurry of their own, pushing Hampton to make several key saves, including a spectacular stop from Esther González's curling effort.

Spain continued to dominate possession in the first half, but uncharacteristic errors presented England with some opportunities. Despite Hemp's miss, Mariona ultimately put Spain ahead just before halftime with a powerful header.

Second Half Surge and Penalty Drama:

The second half saw England raise their intensity, with Kelly injecting fresh energy off the bench. Russo’s expertly placed header from Kelly's cross brought the English side level in the 57th minute.

Both teams continued to battle fiercely for a winner, creating several chances but ultimately falling short of finding a decisive goal. The match went into extra time, where Spain looked the more dangerous side, but Hampton remained steadfast between the posts.

A Historic Victory:

In the dramatic penalty shootout, England's nerves held firm as they secured a 3-1 victory over Spain, avenging their FIFA Women’s World Cup final defeat two years ago. This historic win marks back-to-back EURO triumphs for England, solidifying their position as one of the top women's football teams in the world.