The St. Jakob-Park in Basel was a cauldron of noise on July 27, 2025, as England’s Lionesses faced Spain’s La Roja in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final—a clash that felt like the earth trembling under 35,000 fans. This wasn’t just a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final; it was a battle of heart, grit, and redemption. England, the defending champions, had clawed their way through a tournament of late comebacks, while Spain, the world champions, were a juggernaut with a perfect record. After 120 minutes of sweat-soaked tension, a 1-1 draw led to penalties, where Chloe Kelly’s thunderbolt and Hannah Hampton’s heroics sealed a 3-1 shootout win, making England the first team since Germany to retain the Euro crown. Let’s relive the madness, the goals, and why this final will echo through women’s football history.
The Stakes: A Heavyweight Showdown
England, led by Sarina Wiegman—the mastermind behind three straight Euro titles (2017 with Netherlands, 2022 and 2025 with England)—were chasing history. Their 2022 triumph at Wembley, a 2-1 extra-time win over Germany, had sparked a women’s football boom in England. But their path in Switzerland was a rollercoaster: a 2-1 opening loss to France, a 6-1 thrashing of Wales, and nail-biting comebacks against Sweden (3-2 on penalties) and Italy (2-1 in extra time). With stars like Mary Earps, Millie Bright, and Fran Kirby sidelined, youngsters like Michelle Agyemang and veterans like Lucy Bronze stepped up.
Spain, under Montse Tomé, were unstoppable, winning all five matches and scoring 17 goals, matching England’s 2022 group-stage record. Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, both Ballon d’Or winners, powered a midfield that humiliated Germany 1-0 in the semi-finals. Their 1-0 win over England in the 2023 World Cup final gave them a psychological edge, but recent Nations League clashes—England’s 1-0 win at Wembley in February and Spain’s 2-1 comeback in Barcelona in June—hinted at a razor-tight battle.
The stage was St. Jakob-Park, nicknamed “Joggeli,” a modern gem hosting its fifth Euro 2025 match. With over 600,000 tickets sold tournament-wide, surpassing 2022’s record, and fans from England, Spain, and Switzerland packing Basel’s streets, the vibe was electric. Thunder crackled pre-match, but the rain cleared, leaving a slick pitch for a 6:00 PM CET kickoff.
The Match: A Tale of Resilience and Penalties
From the whistle, Spain’s tiki-taka suffocated England, their 83% passing accuracy under pressure a nightmare for Keira Walsh’s midfield. In the 25th minute, Mariona Caldentey pounced on a loose Jess Carter clearance, rifling a low shot past Hannah Hampton to make it 1-0. Spain’s 2,334 high pressures—the most in the tournament—had England rattled, and Cata Coll’s save on Lauren James’ curling effort kept La Roja ahead at halftime.
England, though, are the comeback queens. In the 57th minute, Alessia Russo rose above Irene Paredes to head in a pinpoint Chloe Kelly cross, leveling it at 1-1. The Arsenal striker, with three tournament goals, ignited the Lionesses’ fans. Wiegman’s tweak—pushing Walsh higher to disrupt Putellas—gave England a foothold, but Spain’s Esther González, the Golden Boot winner with four goals, hit the post off a Claudia Pina corner.
Extra time was a war of attrition. Bonmatí’s weaving runs tested Carter, who was colossal, breaking up attacks with a roar that echoed her pride. Lucy Bronze, playing through a fractured tibia she later revealed, was a warrior at right-back until a knee tweak forced her off for Niamh Charles. Spain swapped Olga Carmona for Leila Ouahabi, but Salma Paralluelo’s breakaway was snuffed out by Hampton. England’s Grace Clinton, subbing for Georgia Stanway, nearly won it with a late corner, but Paredes cleared.
Penalties loomed, only the second time a Women’s Euro final went to a shootout (Sweden beat England in 1984). England’s nerve held firm:
- Lucy Bronze: Smashed hers into the top corner, 1-0.
- Aitana Bonmatí: Saved by Hampton, diving right.
- Georgia Stanway: Coolly slotted low, 2-0.
- Salma Paralluelo: Dragged wide, Spain crumbling.
- Leah Williamson: Denied by Coll’s huge save.
- Claudia Pina: Hampton’s second save, a perfect height.
- Chloe Kelly: The Euro 2022 hero, now at Arsenal on loan, blasted the decisive kick into the top corner, 3-1.
The stadium erupted. Kelly, mobbed by teammates, cemented her legend, while Hampton’s two saves earned her the Golden Glove. England had done it—back-to-back Euros, the first English team to win a major trophy on foreign soil.
The Heroes: Kelly, Hampton, and Bronze’s Grit
Chloe Kelly, the super-sub, was the match’s pulse. Her cross for Russo and winning penalty capped a tournament where England’s bench scored five goals and assisted five, a record since 2013. “I live for these moments,” she told BBC, her 8.66 average rating reflecting her clutch aura.
Hannah Hampton, often in Earps’ shadow, was a revelation. Her two penalty saves and 8.02 rating silenced doubters, her double save against Sweden in the quarters a precursor. “I just trusted my instincts,” she said, scarf draped around her neck.
Lucy Bronze, 33, played through excruciating pain from a fractured tibia, revealed post-match. Her penalty and defensive steel, especially against Paralluelo, earned her teammates’ awe. “I didn’t tell anyone,” she told The Guardian, limping but beaming as Alex Greenwood and Stanway carried her for photos.
Spain’s Bonmatí was electric, her 113th-minute semi-final goal against Germany a highlight, but Hampton’s saves broke her in the shootout. Esther González’s four goals won the Golden Boot, but Spain’s missed penalties cost them a first Euro title.
The Aftermath: History and Homecoming
England’s win, their third straight major final under Wiegman, sealed her as a legend. With a 100% final record in Euros (2017, 2022, 2025), she’s now eyeing the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The Lionesses, including first-time winners like Agyemang, James, and Clinton, returned to a heroes’ welcome in London on July 29, an open-top bus parade along The Mall drawing thousands.
Spain, despite the loss, remain a force. Their 10-match win streak, 38 goals, and World Cup-Nations League double show their depth. Tomé’s “we’ll come back stronger” vow points to Brazil 2027.
On X, fans went wild. @TheRustleMania hailed Kelly’s “clutch” penalty and Hampton’s saves, while @WomensGameMIB marveled at England leading just five minutes in the knockout stage yet winning it all.
The Context: A Record-Breaking Tournament
Euro 2025, hosted in Switzerland, was a triumph. Over 600,000 tickets sold smashed 2022’s 574,875, with Basel’s final among the top seven attended Euro matches ever. Switzerland’s green initiatives—free transport and a “Circular Economy”—set a standard, though a funding cut from 15 to 4 million francs drew flak for inequality compared to the men’s Euro 2008.
The €41 million prize pot, up 156% from 2022, saw England pocket €5.1 million, with 35-40% going to players. Despite injuries (Germany’s Lena Oberdorf, Switzerland’s Ramona Bachmann) and abuse targeting players like Jess Carter, the tournament showcased depth, with Italy’s semi-final run and Wales’ debut.
Why It Matters
England’s 3-1 penalty win wasn’t just a trophy—it was a statement. They avenged their 2023 World Cup loss, proving they can beat the world’s best on foreign soil. Six of the last 10 Euro final goals came from WSL players, underlining England’s domestic strength. For Spain, it was a missed chance to hold World Cup and Euro titles simultaneously, last done by Germany in 2011.
The final, broadcast on BBC and ITV, drew millions, with Gabby Logan, Steph Houghton, and Alex Scott leading coverage. It capped a tournament of late drama, from Norway’s 4-3 Iceland thriller to Italy’s Norway upset, showing women’s football’s relentless rise.
Wrap-Up
The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final was a heart-pounding epic. England’s Lionesses, down 1-0 to Spain’s Mariona Caldentey, fought back with Alessia Russo’s header, Lucy Bronze’s courage, and Chloe Kelly’s penalty heroics. Hannah Hampton’s saves and Sarina Wiegman’s genius made history, retaining the title in a 3-1 shootout. Basel’s St. Jakob-Park witnessed England become back-to-back queens, a triumph of resilience over Spain’s brilliance. As the Lionesses parade through London, women’s football shines brighter than ever. Here’s to the next summit.
