England's women's football team wins the European Championship title in Basel on penalties

(sda) The Spanish women had the advantage both in regular time and in the penalty shootout. But in the end, the world champions' nerves failed them.

So it was Chloe Kelly , once again, who fired her country to the European Championship title. Three years ago, the Arsenal winger scored the winning goal in extra time against Germany on home soil, and now she converted the decisive penalty in the shootout in Basel.

Spain had the advantage after Patri Guijarro converted a penalty and Beth Mead missed a shot. However, the FC Barcelona player was the only Spanish player to convert. Mariona Caldentey and World Player of the Year Aitana Bonmati were denied by goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, and Salma Paralluelo missed the target.

It was a bitter defeat for Spain. Coach Montse Tomé 's team dominated the match for long stretches and had the most chances. Caldentey converted one of them with a header after 25 minutes to give them a deserved lead.

The equalizer for England came out of nowhere just after the hour mark. Kelly, who had already been substituted for the injured Lauren James before halftime, crossed from the left into the middle, where the positioning between Irene Paredes and Laia Aleixandri was, for once, incorrect. Alessia Russo responded with a header to make it 1-1.

Throughout the match, the Spanish women were the more active team. As usual, they kept possession within their own ranks. This resulted in some good opportunities. However, the Iberians repeatedly missed the target. Esther Gonzalez was one of them. Despite several opportunities, the striker failed to score her four goals of the tournament, which at least earned her the Golden Boot for the European Championship's top scorer. It was little consolation.

The English women had their best phase early in the match. However, both Russo after the third minute and Lauren Hemp failed to get the ball past Spanish goalkeeper Catalina Coll. After the equalizer, the Lionesses briefly had the upper hand, but were unable to create clear chances. Kelly's shot, which Coll deflected past the post, was their only dangerous opportunity.

In extra time, neither team was able to land the lucky punch. The Spanish women were closer to scoring the winner, especially Paralluelo. But the Catalan, who rarely played a role in coach Tomé's plans at this European Championship, missed a low backheel cross at her best opportunity. So the penalty shootout had to decide the match.

For the English, this is their second title in their fourth European Championship final and a successful revenge for the 2023 World Cup final loss. Back then, they were left standing in Sydney, losing 1-0 to Spain. Now they have turned the tables on the Iberians, nullifying their hat trick of World Cup, Nations League, and European Championship victories and successfully defending their title.

England coach Sarina Wiegman continues to build her legend. This is the 55-year-old Dutchwoman's third consecutive European Championship title. She won the trophy with her home country in 2017, and three years ago she lifted the European crown for the Lionesses for the first time.

England 1-1 Spain (1-1, 0-1) after extra time; 3-1 on penalties in Basel. 34,203 spectators (sold out). Referee: Frappart (FRA).

Goals : 25. Caldentey 0:1. 57. Russo 1:1. - Penalty shootout : Mead - (Coll saves), Guijarro 0:1; Greenwood 1:1, Caldentey - (Hampton saves); Charles 2:1, Bonmati - (Hampton saves); Williamson - (Coll saves), Paralluelo - (misses); Kelly 3:1.