Basel, Switzerland
– England’s Lionesses were crowned UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 champions after a
nerve-wracking campaign that saw all three of their knockout matches go into
extra time – and two decided by penalty shootouts. The final, held at St
Jakob-Park in Basel, ended 1-1 after extra time before England triumphed 3-1 on
penalties against world champions Spain.
The victory marks England’s second consecutive
European title, making them the first nation to retain the women’s Euro crown
since Germany’s historic run from 1995 to 2013.
“Not Lucky – Just Resilient”
Captain Leah Williamson dismissed claims of England
being fortunate winners. “We have ridden our luck, but I don't think we were
lucky,” she said. “The way we defended, it felt like it was going to be our
day.”
Despite trailing in all three knockout matches, the
Lionesses showed grit and composure. They beat Sweden on penalties in the
quarter-finals, overcame Italy with a late goal in extra time during the
semi-final, and relied on a disciplined shootout against Spain to lift the
trophy.
Bench Power and Tactical Faith
Head coach Sarina Wiegman’s trust in her squad’s depth
proved vital. England scored 16 goals in the tournament, 10 of which involved
substitutes either scoring or assisting. Chloe Kelly, who provided the crucial
assist in the final, and Michelle Agyemang, the semi-final hero, were both
impactful despite not starting a single game.
Wiegman’s consistency paid off. “Every game challenged
us. But the way the team recovered from setbacks was incredible,” she said.
England’s unbeaten record in penalty shootouts under Wiegman now stands at 4-0.
Spain Laments Missed Opportunity
Spain, who dominated possession and registered 22
shots in the final, felt hard done by. “We created more chances and controlled
the game,” said captain Irene Paredes. “But football isn’t always about who
deserves it most.”
Redemption for Jess Carter
Defender Jess Carter bounced back from early struggles
and online abuse to deliver a commanding performance in the final. “I was
disappointed with how I played earlier,” she said, “but now I couldn’t give a
damn. We figured out how to win.”
A Tribute to Lost Loved Ones
For Ella Toone and Beth Mead, the title carried deep
personal meaning. Mead lost her mother in 2023, while Toone’s father passed
away last year. “We did it for our angels in the sky,” Toone shared
emotionally, revealing that an empty seat beside her mother in the stands was a
tribute to her late father.
Let the Celebration Begin
Post-match celebrations were jubilant. Mead was seen
with a boombox and lager in hand, while Toone enjoyed pizza and praised the
team’s “quiet confidence.” Wiegman promised to join the party, albeit at a more
reserved pace.
Former striker Toni Duggan praised the transformation
under Wiegman: “It hasn’t been pretty, but they’ve found a way. This team
fights for each other. That’s the difference.”
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