Why Beth Mead had to retake her penalty in England's dramatic Euro 2025 shootout win over Spain
The second-half substitute was nominated as England's first penalty taker, and duly fired the ball down the middle of Spain goalkeeper Catalina Coll's goal. But Mead had clearly kicked the ball twice, hitting it against her standing foot as her boot slipped on the grass, and replays confirmed what referee Stephanie Frappart suspected.
Kicking the ball twice is not allowed from the penalty spot and previously that would have meant Mead's goal being immediately chakled off.
But European football's governing body Uefa asked for the laws concerning these rare instances to be reviewed after Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez controversially had a spot-kick disallowed in a shootout against Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 in March, causing uproar.
The Argentinian slipped and his standing leg made slight contact with the ball. Real went on to win the shootout.
Ifab, which sets the sport's laws, issued a clarification to Law 14 after much fury about how cruel the call was. Ifab acknowledged it would be unfair not to penalise a double touch at all and allow such kicks to stand as a goal, because goalkeepers can be disadvantaged by the altered trajectory of the ball.
The new double-touch rule meant that Mead was offered a second chance to strike, but this time her effort was saved to give Spain the advantage in the shootout.
And yet it mattered not, as England prevailed 3-1 on penalty kicks to win Euro 2025.
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The Sun
33 minutes ago
- The Sun
Lionesses' Beatlemania-like homecoming shows women footballers are FINALLY getting the honour and respect they deserve
WITH Chloe Kelly inevitably at the front of the bus, the Royal Marines band struck up Sweet Caroline and the parade was off. Inching down the Mall — British royalty's ceremonial thoroughfare — the Lionesses were accorded all the trappings of a state occasion. 11 11 11 Banned by the FA for half a century, ridiculed and written off by others, women footballers were now receiving the honour and respect they have long been due. And much of the admiration was coming from mums, who had brought their daughters along to soak in the inspirational Lioness magic. Among them was Kerry Randall, from Gloucester, who made a last-minute decision to bring her brood — Kaydee, six, Hadley, seven, Lennox, ten, Macey, 12 and Cole, 14. The 37-year-old early-years educator told me: 'It's nice for the girls to see we're equal to the men — if not better sometimes.' Daughter Macey added: 'It shows that women can succeed in life.' Holding a giant poster of Beth Mead, student and football coach Tillie Sykes, from Bromley, South London, said: 'The win meant everything to me. It's a giant step forward for women's football and for women in general.' Proper recognition for the Lionesses' achievements has taken a long time — but now it's unmistakably here. Standing ten deep around me as the bus passed, the Beatlemania-like roar from tens of thousands of female voices was deafening. There were plenty of blokes in attendance, but with so many women cramming along the railings lining St James's Park, the testosterone was drowned out. Michelle Agyemang, the tournament's 19-year-old breakout star, seemed a little overawed by the ecstatic scenes that were unfurling as the bus passed a sea of phones. There were plenty of blokes in attendance, but with so many women cramming along the railings lining St James's Park, the testosterone was drowned out. Inside Lionesses' boozy Euro 2025 celebrations as stars party with pizzas, beers and loved ones after win over Spain No one was swilling tinnies, let alone chopping out lines of coke in the Portaloos. And nobody felt the need to shove a lit flare up their bottom, as a smashed fan had before the English men's Euro 2020 final defeat at Wembley. Passing alternate Union flags and St George Crosses on the Mall, the procession soon reached Buckingham Palace. I'd half expected the wrought iron gates to swing open and a flunky to beckon inspirational coach Sarina Wiegman inside to collect an honorary damehood then and there. It's no more than the likeable 55-year-old Dutch former PE teacher deserves. 11 11 11 Her squad shuffled on to a makeshift stage in front of the Victoria Memorial. Beneath the gilded monument to one English Queen, there now gathered more than two dozen others. Seated on a throne above the Lionesses was the marble figure of Queen Victoria, her memorial topped with the glinting bronze statue of winged victory. 'They didn't want us on their pitches' When the King's great, great, great grandmother died in 1901 women didn't even have the vote. It took another 27 years before all women over 21 were finally enfranchised, giving them the same voting rights as men. Women's football had a similar struggle to win acceptance in a male-dominated world. Amid the scenes of hysteria, I thought back to the day in 2010 when I met Edna Broughton, then 80, who was the Chloe Kelly of her day. Edna, who sadly didn't live to see the Lionesses' two Euro triumphs, was star striker for the world-famous Dick, Kerr Ladies football team, which was founded in 1917. In its heyday they played in front of 53,000 fans at Everton's Goodison Park, and beat a French side in the first ever women's international. The team were treated like superstars — but in the stuffy Football Association corridors of power, it caused deep consternation. Minutes from a 1921 meeting read: 'Complaints have been made as to football being played by women and the Council feel impelled to express their strong opinion that the game is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.' So women footballers were banned from all FA-affiliated grounds — and incredibly, it lasted for 50 years. I love the fact that they're so proud to be English and that it doesn't matter what colour or race you are. That brings people together. Pat MacFarlane, 64, fan at the parade Edna, who played for Dick Kerr from 1945 until 1959, told me: 'They were chauvinists — they didn't want us on their pitches. 'I think the men were worried because we were becoming as popular as they were.' So yesterday's celebrations were also for those who came before the Lionesses, and for the young girls who will follow after — not just as footballers, but as leaders in industry and politics who will have fed off the Lionesses' guts, drive and will to succeed. As student Katie Baird, 18, from Guildford, Surrey, put it: 'The women's teams had massive crowds before they were banned — but now we're back.' Her friend Lauren Mutch, 19, added: 'The Lionesses' victory was nothing short of inspirational. They showed the men how it's done.' In their St George plastic bowler hats, Joyce Allison, 79, Elizabeth Elrick, 73, and Pat MacFarlane, 64, had travelled from London's East End to witness the joyous scenes on the Mall. Teacher Pat told me: 'When I was a kid, only boys were allowed to play football. We were told you weren't allowed to play.' Of the Lionesses, she said: 'I love the fact that they're so proud to be English and that it doesn't matter what colour or race you are. That brings people together.' 11 11 11 11
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Lauren Hemp praises 'unbelievable' support for Lionesses
The 24-year-old was ever-present in Sarina Wiegman's line-ups for the tournament and was able to soak in the support as England drove up to Buckingham Palace in their open-top bus. With performances from Burna Boy and Heather Small, the party did not stop for the back-to-back European Championship winners who brought the celebrations, and football, home with them. 'We hope we made so many more fans proud of us. We know the support's been incredible,' said Hemp. 'As a group we all realise the difference it made to England and to football when we won the Euros in 2022. We hope for the same to happen again. 'I've had so many messages that my phone just keeps pinging. Thank you to everyone, I'll get back to you at some point.' And just as the atmosphere on The Mall showed the support for the Lionesses back home, they had also enjoyed immense travelling support across Switzerland. In Basel for England's penalty shootout victory over Spain, thousands flocked to be part of an hour-long fan walk that snaked through the city before witnessing the Lionesses lift the Euro 2025 final. '[The support at the final] was incredible. Every time we went forward, you could hear the crowd and it was such a good atmosphere,' added Hemp. 'I couldn't even hear my teammates next to me, so it was unbelievable.' That support and the resilience of the England team helped Hemp and her teammates over the line in a closely-matched final. Spain had taken the lead through Arsenal's Mariona Caldentey in the 25th minute before Alessia Russo levelled after half-time. With neither team able to find a breakthrough, it was to penalties once more for the Lionesses who had made a habit of leaving things late and putting fans through the ringer. But despite the occasion, Hemp assured that the belief never wavered within the squad. 'The fight this team has shown from minute one of the tournament to now, it's incredible and it's nothing short of what this group deserves,' she said post-match. 'The grit, the determination we showed, it's not luck. It doesn't happen once, twice or three times for it to be luck. This is pure determination from this group. 'Whoever stepped up, we knew was going to score, but especially when Chloe stepped up for that fifth penalty, I knew it was going in and yeah, damn it did.' Returning to London, Hemp was able to celebrate the history of an England team who have become the first senior team to win a major tournament on foreign soil. And as Heather Small's rendition of 'Proud' rang out from in front of the Victoria Memorial, there could not be a better representation of the feelings at full-time in Basel. 'I was so speechless,' said Hemp. 'It's incredible and like I said, it's what this team deserves. 'We deserve to be winning all the time and it's incredible that it's not only happened once, it's happened twice and it's staying home and hopefully long may it continue.'
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
As queer women, we couldn't be more proud of the ‘Lesbian-esses'
I've never been into football. At school, only boys were allowed to play, while girls were sent to the netball court. And as I got older, I just associated it with rowdy men — like the friend of a friend I watched the 2021 Men's Euros final with, who got so annoyed when England lost he threatened to throw her TV out of the window. As a queer woman, I've never felt encouraged to get involved, and I didn't see anyone like me on the pitch. But then came the Women's Euros this summer. At first, I wasn't particularly engaged with it, but when the invite to watch it at the pub dropped in the lesbian group chat, I thought, why not? And I'm glad I went. When Chloe Kelly's winning pentaly hit the back of the net, lesbian couples kissed, women embraced, and queer friends jumped up and down. I wasn't in an LGBTQ+ pub, but there was community everywhere. This wasn't just a win for women. It was a win for the queer community. Across all the teams that played in the Euros, there are reportedly 78 openly LGBTQ+ players and coaches. In the 2022 Men's World Cup, there were none. Even now, not one player in the Premier League is publicly out. Lionesses, past and present, like Jill Scott, Beth Mead and Jess Carter, have spoken publicly about their queer sexualities. And while other players have chosen not to label themselves in the media, many are rumoured to be dating women. The team has even been dubbed 'The Lesbianesses'. With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications! It all feels especially meaningful, particularly after rainbow armbands were banned at the men's World Cup in Qatar 2022 — and just months after FIFA confirmed the 2034 men's tournament would be hosted in Saudi Arabia, a country where LGBTQ+ rights are non-existent. Women's football is leading the way. Not just on the pitch, but in the community it creates, and it's having a real impact on women like me. Despite never being a huge fan of football culture, Mia Walters, 24, from Manchester, started watching the women's World Cup and was 'hooked from there'. 'I grew up in a family of football fans, but I never really felt like that was the space for me,' she tells Metro. 'As a queer woman, it doesn't always feel like there's a big space for us within society, like there is for queer men.' However, when watching women's football, she says 'the energy could just not be more different.' 'The Lioness games really provided that safe space. It feels like it's tailored for women and queer women.' She even travelled to Switzerland to watch the final. 'Seeing families, female couples and groups of friends meant it was so easy to feel integrated. 'I've been out for five years but I still don't always feel 100% comfortable being openly gay in public with my girlfriend. The matches have been the only places I 100% didn't worry about holding my girlfriend's hand or kissing in public.' Metro Lifestyle reporter Eleanor Noyce agrees the community around the Lionesses is buzzing with pride. Eleanor, who is bisexual, she says: 'Some might say as long as they're bringing it home, it doesn't matter how the Lionesses identify — but it means the world to me. 'I'm a life-long Arsenal fan, and while I'm a massive supporter of the mens' team, I feel more at home and accepted at Arsenal women's games. To watch England and know that many of the players on the pitch are part of the LGBTQ+ community is everything. It's not just about the sport, but the representation too. 'Other queer women get excited about couples within teams — there's fan accounts dedicated to the likes of Beth Mead and Vivienne Miedema. Society has sexualised queer women for such a long time, but now we're celebrating queer love on our own terms.' Eleanor, who also watched the Lionesses in Sweden, watched Sunday's final at the pub. She adds: 'It was a rare occasion when I was sat in an average pub in South London, surrounded by queer women. 'When Chloe Kelly scored the winning penalty, a couple in front of me kissed, with a Pride Progress flag pinned behind them. It just felt normal, and I've never experienced that before.' Eve Kirman, from Norwich, plays grassroots five and seven-a-side football in London. She grew up playing in boys' teams and later for Norwich United. While playing football was one of her 'biggest passions', she ultimately gave it up, as it didn't seem like a viable career choice for women. Today though, Eve still plays in local teams, where she says there is 'a level of openness' about queer identity. 'That trickles down from the Lionesses,' Eve, who is lesbian, tells Metro. 'They've created a really accepting, amazing vibe. We joke about bringing our WAGs to the sidelines of games to support us. 'When players are open about being queer, it sends a message without needing to say anything. More Trending 'There's just a real sense of joy that comes with being unapologetically yourself, having fun and doing something that you love.' However, Eve adds that there's still a way to go in terms of inclusivity. 'We have to reflect on who is being left out,' she says. 'The FA recently decided to ban trans women from playing in women's football. There's definitely more that can be done.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Readers dispute Barton's claim that England Lionesses aren't 'worthy of equal pay' MORE: 'I am a Lioness super fan, and I'm getting tattoos of seven players on my calf' MORE: Why Lionesses hero Jess Carter missed England's Euro 2025 trophy parade
