'A Huge Boost For The Game' Heroic Lionesses Bring Football Home Again And Change Women's Football Forever
There was an electric atmosphere in Basel's St. Jakob-Park despite the summer rain. Both teams looked sharp and focused, but it was reigning world champions Spain who went in front with a header from Mariona Caldentey in the first half. The Lionesses fought back, defending their goal thanks to the resilience of Jess Carter and Lucy Bronze, and stellar saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Who knows what manager Wiegman said to the team at half time, but they came back with a goal in the 56th minute after a cross from Chloe Kelly and superb header from Alessia Russo.
Tension filled the night as the game went to extra time with no more goals scored. And so, we may have only just recovered from those dramatic penalties against Sweden in the quarter finals, but the teams lined up for another shoot-out, this time in front of England's roaring travelling fans.
Once more it was Hannah Hampton (who started this tournament as number one goalkeeper for the first time after Mary Earps' retirement) with her penalty 'cheat sheet' homework taped to her arm, who made the title-winning saves. Chloe Kelly put away the penalty that had the whole team running onto the pitch in victory. 'Sweet Caroline' never felt sweeter as the stadium erupted and fans couldn't quite believe what an amazing game it had been. Hampton was later named player of the match, with another new star Michelle Agyemang named best young player.
There's no doubt that England's victory will be a boost for women's football, which has seen huge growth in the past decade. The sold-out final, with an attendance of 34,203, rounded off a hugely successful tournament which broke records as the highest-attended Women's Euros in history. Stats from sponsors VISA showed that it's not just viewing figures but also spending power that continues to make an impact and drive economic growth around the game, with the fans of first-time qualifiers Iceland showing the largest increase of overseas spend in Switzerland. As the women's game continues to grow globally it will only attract more and more investment at all levels ahead of the Women's World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
When ELLE UK interviewed Hannah Hampton in May she said, 'We want to go and bring the trophy back home if we possibly can...But it's going to be a tough tournament, we know the standard everyone's brought now and countries are just getting stronger and stronger so it'll be tough but we'll go give it our best shot.' They did just that and once more we're celebrating the Lionesses and everything the team show us about grit, determination and never giving up.
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The last five meetings between England and Spain
Here we go again. For the second time in two years, The Lionesses will face Spain in the final of a major tournament. With Spain taking victory in the final of the 2023 World Cup, Sunday's rematch at St. Jakob-Park will be a case of either repeat or revenge in a rivalry that is rapidly becoming a modern classic in the international game. While an imperious Spanish side will head into this final as favourites, England have made a habit of hanging on even when the situation has looked dire: just think back to the turnarounds against Sweden and Italy. So, with it so unclear based on these Euros as to who will lift the trophy, perhaps history can shine more light on a game with two sides separated by very little on paper. Some of that history is very recent, too; their final will be their third clash already this year. Here are the last five meetings between England and Spain. 03/06/2025: Spain 2-1 England Competition: UEFA Women's Nations League Goal-scorer(s): Clàudia Pina (60', 70'); Alessia Russo (21') Stadium: RCDE Stadium Possession: ESP: 63%; ENG: 37% Shots (on target): ESP: 19 (5); ENG: 4 (2) Fouls (bookings): ESP: 4 (1); ENG: 9 (2) In their most recent game, Spain were the side who came back from behind to – in the end – comfortably beat England in their final group stage match of the Women's Nations League. Alessia Russo had given England the lead with their first shot on target. It took the introduction of Clàudia Pina in the second half to turn the tide for Spain, as she netted the equaliser on the hour-mark before doubling up to win the game 10 minutes later. Despite having taken the lead, The Lionesses were really unable to threaten for the majority of the game, and by full-time, Spain were more than good value for their three points. The result meant Spain topped Group A3 with 15 points, while England secured second place with 10. 26/02/2025: England 1-0 Spain Competition: UEFA Women's Nations League Goal-scorer(s): Jess Park (33') Stadium: Wembley Stadium Possession: ENG: 41%; ESP: 59% Shots (on target): ENG: 9 (6); ESP: 20 (6) Fouls (bookings): ENG: 8 (1); ESP 13 (1) It was a different story when the two met at Wembley. This time, England defended resolutely to hold out a Spanish side intent on taking the lead, although they'd have to rely heavily on both Hannah Hampton and the woodwork. Still, their resoluteness paid dividends when Jess Park tapped home a shot from Russo which had been tapped into her path by Cata Coll. Spain were unable to turn the tie in their favour, and England held on for three points in their first match against these opponents since losing the World Cup final. It was also La Roja's only defeat in the Nations League group stage. 20/08/2023: Spain 1-0 England Competition: FIFA Women's World Cup Goal-scorer(s): Olga Carmona (29') Stadium: ANZ Stadium Possession: ESP: 57%; ENG: 43% Shots (on target): ESP: 13 (5); 8 (3) Fouls (bookings): ESP: 9 (1); 16 (1) Then there's the big one. England had surpassed the expectations of many to reach the final of the 2023 World Cup, while Spain had left it late to beat The Netherlands and Sweden in the knockout stages. They wouldn't leave it late this time, though. An unlikely hero in the form of left back Olga Carmona swept home an excellent finish to give Spain the lead, and they might've doubled that lead had Mary Earps not denied Jenni Hermoso from the spot. It was a monumental achievement for Spain, this their maiden World Cup triumph, but the feel-good factor was marred when, in the trophy celebrations, president of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales kissed Hermoso. This would ultimately result in his resignation. 2025's final may be a chance to finally escape the scandal which overshadowed the biggest moment in the history of Spain's women's side, as they search for a victory which is all about the football. 20/07/2022: England 2-1 Spain Competition: UEFA Women's Euro Goal-scorer(s): Ella Toone (84'), Georgia Stanway (96'); Esther González (54') Stadium: Amex Stadium Possession: ENG: 44%; ESP: 56% Shots (on target: ENG: 9 (3); ESP: 17 (4) Fouls (bookings): ENG: 17 (1); ESP: 18 (2) In a game which mirrored much of England's Euro 2025 campaign, their quarter-final three years ago was decided very late indeed. As was the case against Sweden and Italy this time around, England went behind to Spain. It was Esther González to give them the lead, firing a shot past Earps following a cut-back from Athenea del Castillo. But England never said die. Ella Toone nodded home the equaliser six minutes before full-time, and in extra-time, Georgia Stanway took matters into her own hands, gliding past much of the Spanish side herself before smashing a strike home from outside the area. The Lionesses had done it the hard way, but it was enough to secure progression to the semi-finals of Euro 2022. The rest is history. 20/02/2022: England 0-0 Spain Competition: Arnold Clark Cup Goal-scorer(s): N/A Stadium: Carrow Road Possession: ENG: 34%; ESP 66% Shots (on target): ENG: 5 (1); ESP 11 (4) Fouls (bookings): ENG: 7 (2); ESP 14 (1) At this point, England were still unbeaten under Sarina Wiegman, and this game extended that record. That said, it was largely at the expense of entertainment for the neutral. Spain controlled possession (as per), but neither side could fashion many clear-cut chances. Perhaps the best came right at the end, with Ellen White heading just wide for England. In the end, the two sides could only muster five shots on target between them. Still, England would go on to win the Arnold Clark Cup regardless. Overall So, in their last five meetings, there's nothing to split the two behemoths: both England and Spain have won twice, with one draw to split them. In total, the two sides have played each other 14 times. England have won seven of those, Spain have four victories and there are three total draws. Historically speaking, that gives The Lionesses a slight edge. But, in recent years, there's nothing to split them, and in their most recent final, it was all about La Roja. In short, you can expect Spain to dominate possession. Besides that, Sunday's final at St. Jakob-Park is anyone's game.
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Cumbrian teenage footballer signs for Chelsea Women's Academy
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How England Defeated Spain And Won Women's Euro 2025
England held their nerve again. England fought to the bitter end again. England are European champions yet again. The final episode of Full Time Euros takes you inside England's penalty shootout win over Spain in the Women's Euro 2025 final win in Basel, Switzerland, with host Jillian Sakovits and the Athletic's Laia Cervello, Michael Cox, and Charlotte Harpur. The trio analyze how England were able to overcome Spain, blunting their attack enough to see out the game 1-1 in normal time, and how the Lionesses held their nerve to triumph on penalties for the second time this tournament. Where does Spain go from here? What was the secret to Sarina Wiegman's team talks? How will this England team be celebrating? The Athletic has it all from an extremely dramatic climax to Women's Euro 2025.
