England have won their second ever European Championship title with a penalty shootout win against World Cup champions Spain.
Chloe Kelly emphatically scored the winning spot-kick to earn a 3-1 victory in Basel, with Hannah Hampton saving two efforts.
6
6
6
The Lionesses have claimed revenge over the Spaniards after their 1-0 defeat in the 2023 World Cup.
But Sarina Wiegman and co. are now European champions following a rollercoaster over a tournament and made history in the process.
They have become the first English side to win a major tournament on foreign soil.
As well as this, they are the first men’s or women’s team to win two titles having defended their crown from Euro 2022.
READ MORE ON WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
England are also only the second side to retain the Women’s Euros title along with Germany.
They led for only four minutes and 52 seconds in the entire knockout stages of the tournament, including stoppage-time.
Mariona Caldentey headed Spain in front from an Ona Batlle cross despite them being on the back foot early on.
England were dealt a huge blow just before half-time when Lauren James was substituted with another injury issue.
Alessia Russo met an excellent Chloe Kelly cross to equalise for the Lionesses during the early stages of the second half.
A nervy period of extra-time followed, with England seemingly happy to hold onto a 1-1 draw as penalties loomed.
6
6
Beth Mead was tasked with the first spot-kick and scored, but had to retake her effort for a double-hit and missed her second.
Alex Greenwood levelled for England after Patri Guijarro scored Spain’s first, with Hampton then saving Caldentey’s effort.
Niamh Charles put the Lionesses ahead, with her Chelsea teammate Hampton denying two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
Leah Williamson missed for England but so did Salma Paralluelo to give Kelly the chance for glory.
And the Arsenal star made no mistake from 12 yards as she fired in for her country.
Kelly has scored the decisive goal in back-to-back Euros finals and cemented her status as a Lioness legend.
6
She also netted the match-winning penalty against Italy in their dramatic semi-final victory to mark an excellent tournament.
England are the first team to have three different matches go to extra-time in one edition of either the women’s World Cup or Euros.
