Euro 2025: England goalie Hampton's fairy-tale journey from eye surgeries to penalty shootout star
Player of the match Hampton saved a penalty shootout spot kick by Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí in a dramatic final.
Before that, she saved the penalty by Mariona Caldentey, whose 25th-minute header did beat Hampton and had left defending champion England playing catchup yet again at Euro 2025.
But this England, like its 24-year-old goalkeeper with the sub-optimal eyesight, thrives on adversity — especially on a thrilling ride through three knockout rounds where the team led for just five minutes in total.
England retained its Women's European Championship title by beating world champion Spain 3-1 in the shootout needed when the teams were tied 1-1 after extra time.
'In 120 minutes, the team ran around and worked so hard for us all, so the penalty shootout was my moment to say thank you for putting in all the hard work and effort they did throughout,' Hampton said in a post-game interview with UEFA.
When Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot kick, her teammate who had let just one of four Spain penalties beat her actually did not know what was happening.
'I'd completely lost track of what was going on by the time Chloe stepped up,' Hampton revealed later. 'As soon as I saw her run off (celebrating), I thought: 'That's it, we've won'. I can't believe it.'
No limits
It was the latest inspiring win in Hampton's fast-rising career that never seemed possible when she was younger and diagnosed with an eye condition that affects depth perception. She has had multiple surgeries and her vision is still not ideal.
'It just highlights you can never let people tell you what you can and can't do,' the England goalkeeper said.
Hampton's month in Switzerland has earned her place in England's soccer lore.
In a stunning win over Sweden in the quarterfinals – after another shootout earned by a late rally to draw 2-2 – Hampton had two more spot-kick saves and let only two of the seven beat her.
'Her journey has been incredible,' England coach Sarina Wiegman said. 'It's a little bit like a fairy tale to stop those penalties in a Euros final.'
England has another stellar goalkeeper to follow Mary Earps, the star of the Euro 2022 title team and the run to the final of the 2023 World Cup final — won by Spain.
'Special moment'
Earps choosing to
retire from the England scene
five weeks before this tournament was a surprise — and was criticized by some observers — and put more pressure on the goalkeepers replacing her.
Hampton has proven her No. 1 status beyond any doubt.
'If you have a dream and you really believe in that dream, then go and do it,' she said. 'I've done that and, right now, being sat with the trophy and the medal, it's a special moment.'
___
AP soccer:
https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
5 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Deion Sanders says he had bladder cancer but will coach the Colorado Buffaloes this season
Associated Press BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders disclosed Monday that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer but after surgery his oncologist considered him cured. Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urologic oncology at the CU Cancer Center/UCHealth University of Colorado hospital, said Sanders had his bladder removed as part of the surgical plan. Sanders plans to oversee the Buffaloes this season as he enters his third season at Colorado. Sanders, who turns 58 next month, spoke to the media on the eve of fall camp. He brought his medical team with him to discuss his diagnosis. The charismatic coach returned to campus last week and announced on social media, 'Back and Feeling Great!' He's missed football camps in Boulder this summer amid reports that he's been ill. On Sunday, the production crew of 'Well Off Media,' which chronicles Sanders and the Buffaloes, posted a video on YouTube of the coach's first meeting with the team. In the middle of the clip, there was a scene, dated May 9, where Sanders said: 'I don't know if I'm ready mentally, emotionally. Last night was tough, yesterday was tough, because I had to make a will. That's not easy at all, to think that you may not be here.' Sanders has dealt with issues surrounding his left foot since having two toes amputated in 2021 because of blood clot issues while he was coaching at Jackson State. He missed media day in 2023, his inaugural year at Colorado, after a procedure to remove a blood clot from his right leg and another to straighten toes on his left foot. In March, Sanders signed a contract extension through the 2029 season. The Buffaloes kick off the season on Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech at Folsom Field. It will be the first season in quite some time that he hasn't coached one of his sons. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns while Shilo, a safety, is in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes went 4-8 in his first season and 9-4 last season, with an appearance in the Alamo Bowl. They have big shoes to fill in replacing Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. ___ AP college football: and recommended Item 1 of 3
Hamilton Spectator
5 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Deion Sanders says he had bladder cancer but will coach the Colorado Buffaloes this season
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders disclosed Monday that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladder cancer but after surgery his oncologist considered him cured. Dr. Janet Kukreja, the director of urologic oncology at the CU Cancer Center/UCHealth University of Colorado hospital, said Sanders had his bladder removed as part of the surgical plan. Sanders plans to oversee the Buffaloes this season as he enters his third season at Colorado. Sanders, who turns 58 next month, spoke to the media on the eve of fall camp. He brought his medical team with him to discuss his diagnosis. The charismatic coach returned to campus last week and announced on social media, 'Back and Feeling Great!' He's missed football camps in Boulder this summer amid reports that he's been ill. On Sunday, the production crew of 'Well Off Media,' which chronicles Sanders and the Buffaloes, posted a video on YouTube of the coach's first meeting with the team. In the middle of the clip, there was a scene, dated May 9, where Sanders said: 'I don't know if I'm ready mentally, emotionally. Last night was tough, yesterday was tough, because I had to make a will. That's not easy at all, to think that you may not be here.' Sanders has dealt with issues surrounding his left foot since having two toes amputated in 2021 because of blood clot issues while he was coaching at Jackson State. He missed media day in 2023, his inaugural year at Colorado, after a procedure to remove a blood clot from his right leg and another to straighten toes on his left foot. In March, Sanders signed a contract extension through the 2029 season. The Buffaloes kick off the season on Aug. 29 against Georgia Tech at Folsom Field. It will be the first season in quite some time that he hasn't coached one of his sons. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns while Shilo, a safety, is in camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes went 4-8 in his first season and 9-4 last season, with an appearance in the Alamo Bowl. They have big shoes to fill in replacing Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. ___ AP college football: and
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sarina Wiegman details how England claimed glory at ‘chaotic and ridiculous' Euro 2025
England manager Sarina Wiegman hailed her team for coming through the 'most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played' after leading the Lionesses to Euro 2025 glory in Basel. England defeated world champions Spain on penalties to defend their European title as Hannah Hampton made crucial saves in the shootout and Chloe Kelly scored the decisive kick. The Lionesses led for just four minutes and 52 seconds during the knockout stages of the tournament, requiring comebacks and late goals to get over the line and become the first England team to win a major title on foreign soil. 'I must admit that I always think this is the most chaotic and ridiculous tournament we have played,' Wiegman said. 'But every time we could come back, because quarter-final, semi-final, and now, in the final, we came from behind [to win]. 'Of course, we have players that have talent and the togetherness of this team is really, really incredible. But also the belief that we can come back. The players say, 'We can win by any means.' We just never, ever give up.' Wiegman, who has now won three European championships in a row as a manager, added: 'I'm very happy. I actually can't believe it myself. How can this happen? But it happened. I'm so incredibly proud of the team and the staff. We're just going to party tonight.' Wiegman also praised Lucy Bronze after the defender revealed she had played through the entirety of Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia. Bronze, 33, is the oldest member of England's squad and started all six games during the tournament, including their dramatic penalty shootout win over Spain in the final. Bronze also defied injury to play a key part in England's quarter-final comeback over Sweden and was eventually forced off with a knee injury during extra time of the final. She could not walk on the pitch during England's celebrations in Basel, requiring a piggyback from goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse when the Lionesses ran towards their fans. 'I've played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, but nobody knew and I've hurt my knee today,' Bronze told the BBC moments after the final whistle. 'Her mentality, the whole team has an incredible mentality, but she has a crazy mentality, it's unbelievable,' Wiegman said. England will celebrate their victory with a bus parade in London on Tuesday, and Wiegman said she hopes winning another trophy will help the growth of women's football. 'I hope it will boost the women's game even more, not only in England, but beyond,' Wiegman said. 'I think how I've experienced this tournament is that the level went up again. 'This tournament broke every record again, with the spectators, the views on television and that's great.'
