Chloe Kelly fired the decisive spot kick as England beat Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 on Sunday, successfully defending the title it won three years ago after an enthralling encounter that ended 1-1 after extra time.
Spain dominated possession and made the breakthrough in the 25th minute as Ona Batlle crossed and the England defence was caught flat-footed, allowing Mariona Caldentey to head the ball past Hannah Hampton.
However, England levelled in the 57th minute, with Alessia Russo heading home from a Kelly cross.
Spain continued to monopolise the ball but could not find another goal before the end of normal time, and the story continued through extra time as it probed and probed, but could not break through the English defence as the game finished 1-1.
The Spaniards got the shootout off to a great start when Cata Coll saved Beth Mead’s effort, but England keeper Hannah Hampton stepped up and saved from Caldentey and then from Aitana Bonmati to put England in the driving seat.
AS IT HAPPENED | ENGLAND VS SPAIN HIGHLIGHTS, WOMEN’S EURO 2025 FINAL
Coll got Spain back into it with another one-handed stop to block Leah Williamson, but Spain substitute Salma Paralluelo then fired her kick wide of the target.
That set the stage for Kelly to repeat her 2022 heroics, when she scored the extra-time winner over Germany that won England the title at Wembley.
Kelly made her trademark prancing run-up before smashing the ball into the net and peeling away in ecstasy to celebrate with the rest of the players in front of the England fans.
“I’m so proud, so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge, and I’m so proud to be English … I was cool, I was composed and I knew I was going to hit the back of the net,” Kelly said.
The final was the first time since the inaugural edition in 1984, in which England were beaten by Sweden, that the game was decided by a penalty shootout.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com