England Women 1-1 Spain Women (England win 3-1 on penalties): Chloe Kelly makes history again as Lionesses defend European title

England’s Lionesses defended their Women’s European Championship title in a thrilling 3-1 penalty shootout victory over Spain at St. Jakob-Park, with Chloe Kelly once again proving the hero by scoring the decisive spot-kick. The match, which ended 1-1 after extra time, marked England as the first senior English team to win a major trophy on foreign soil and the first to retain a major tournament title.

Match Recap
Spain took the lead in the 25th minute through a Mariona Caldentey header off Ona Batlle’s cross, capitalizing on England’s sluggish start. The Lionesses, trailing for the fourth time in their knockout matches, struggled until Kelly, substituted in the 40th minute for the injured Lauren James, sparked a turnaround. Kelly’s precise cross in the 57th minute set up Alessia Russo’s header to level the score at 1-1. Despite Spain’s dominance in extra time, including a missed chance by Salma Paralluelo, England’s defense, led by Lucy Bronze despite a fractured tibia, held firm to force penalties.

In the shootout, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton emerged as a star, saving penalties from Caldentey and Aitana Bonmatí, while Paralluelo fired wide. Despite Beth Mead’s retaken penalty being saved due to a double-touch violation and Leah Williamson’s miss, Niamh Charles and Alex Greenwood scored, setting the stage for Kelly’s ferocious top-corner strike—the tournament’s fastest goal at 110 km/h. England’s 3-1 shootout win sealed their back-to-back Euro titles, a historic feat under manager Sarina Wiegman, who claimed her third consecutive European Championship.

Key Performances and Context

• Chloe Kelly: The Arsenal winger, who also scored the extra-time winner against Germany in 2022, cemented her legacy with the assist for Russo and the winning penalty. Her move from Manchester City to Arsenal in January revived her career after a tough spell, and her “positive clique” of substitutes, including Michelle Agyemang, proved vital throughout the tournament.
• Hannah Hampton: The goalkeeper’s two saves in the shootout were pivotal, showcasing her growth since taking over from Mary Earps.
• Sarina Wiegman: Her tactical resilience and faith in substitutes like Kelly and Agyemang, who scored crucial goals in prior rounds, underscored her status as a world-class manager.
• Team Grit: England trailed in all three knockout games, spending just 4 minutes and 52 seconds ahead in the entire knockout stage, yet their comeback spirit—evident in wins over Sweden (penalties) and Italy (2-1 extra time)—defined their campaign.

Significance
The victory avenged England’s 2023 World Cup final loss to Spain and halted the world champions’ bid for European glory. The Lionesses’ resilience, despite injuries like Bronze’s tibia fracture and Lauren James’ ankle issue, highlighted their depth and determination. Jess Carter, reinstated after being dropped following racial abuse, delivered a standout performance with critical defensive blocks. The tournament, described as “chaotic” by Wiegman, saw record-breaking viewership and fan support, with England’s traveling fans and Lionesses HQ in Zurich amplifying the occasion.

What’s Next?
England will celebrate with an open-top bus parade along The Mall in London on July 29, starting at 12:10 BST, culminating in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The Lionesses now turn their focus to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, aiming to go one better than their 2023 final loss. Spain, despite their defeat, remain a formidable force with stars like Bonmatí and will look to defend their World Cup title. Note: Match details and player conditions are based on reported accounts; official statistics may vary slightly. Check club or federation channels for further updates.