Anatomy of a Euro 2025 final penalty shootout and how England claimed glory again

England held their nerve when Spain crumbled in a tense penalty shootout to settle a gripping Women’s Euro 2025 final in Basel.

Hannah Hampton’s remarkable story of resilience was complete with two immense saves and Chloe Kelly stepped up at the right time to blast the Lionesses into the history books.

A first England side to defend a major title and a first England side to win on foreign soil, Leah Williamson has led a group of history-makers.

But after Alessia Russo’s header cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's opener for the world champions, both sides engaged in a tense period of extra-time. But Sarina Wiegman’s side, with experience from their narrow escape against Sweden, embraced the shootout better and ultimately left victorious - here’s how the 3-1 win on penalties unfolded at St-Jakob Park:

Initially, Beth Mead slipped and scuffed her penalty but no matter, it seemed, as the ball rolled down the middle and past Cata Coll. But a double-touch was noticed by referee Stephanie Frappart and officials following a review. The Arsenal forward was ordered to retake following a new rule this year, confirmed by Ifab, which sets the sport’s laws, issued with a clarification to Law 14 after a request from European governing body Uefa. The precedent was set by Julian Alvarez's miss for Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid in last season's Uefa Champions League. Mead then blasted her retaken penalty at Coll to hand the initiative to Spain.

open image in gallery

Spain’s chances ballooned when Patri Guijarro calmly stepped up and sent Hannah Hampton the wrong way, converting down the middle to grab the lead.

Alex Greenwood stepped up and slid home the penalty into the bottom right corner, despite Coll going the right way, to get the Lionesses on the board.

Mariona Caldentey could not double her tally on the night, with her side-footed effort to her right easily saved by Hannah Hampton. From hero to villain.

open image in gallery

One of the best penalties of the shootout, Niamh Charles sent Coll the wrong way with fine strike, the Chelsea defender’s composure nudged the Lionesses in front for the first time.

The genius of Aitana Bonmati was not enough in the momet here, despite striking it well. The Ballon d'Or winner was denied by Hampton, who leaped to her right to give the Lionesses a huge advantage and keep them in front.

open image in gallery

Captain Williamson squandered that advantage earned by Hampton, hitting the penalty to her right, but Coll read it well, leaping across goal to save it and keep Spain alive.

After her dreadful miss in extra-time, Salma Paralluelo suffered another painful moment, dragging her spot kick low and wide of the right post, handing England the chance to win it.

Up stepped England's hero from the Euros final against Germany, and one of the few penalty takers who scored against Sweden. Chloe Kelly made no mistake, smashing high into the net with the most powerful shot of the Euros, clinching a 3-1 shootout win, with the Lionesses crowned EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS again.