The Lionesses have officially done it again! The long awaited 2025 UEFA Women's Euro Cup final match took place in Basel this past weekend and England successfully defended their champions title in one of the most dramatic finals ever. Reigning world champions, Spain, were defeated 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw that went into extra time. It was the kind of match fans will remember for years to come. Packed full of iconic performances, dramatic penalties, and inspiring comebacks. The Lionesses have proven their worth as one of the greatest English teams of all time and are now back-to-back champions, despite not being in the lead for more than a few minutes during the knockout phase. Let’s break down what made this year's UEFA Women's Euro final and tournament overall so unforgettable!

Highlights & Recap

The UEFA Women’s Euro final delivered everything that a battle between two powerhouse teams promised to be. Spain started off the final match strong with Mariona Caldentey leading the charge. They were the first to score during the first half of the match thanks to her, following a move involving Bonmatí, Athenea and Batlle. At that point, it seemed like England didn’t stand a chance with Spain starting off so confidently. But as we all know, England rarely goes down without a fight. After Lauren James suffered an unfortunate injury, Chloe Kelly was taken off the bench and delivered a perfect cross to Alessia Russo, who scored the equalizer. It was that goal that changed everything for the Lionesses going forward. 

The remainder of the match and all of the extra time had fans on the edge of their seats as both teams fought to get the upper hand. Spain had possession of the ball a lot more than England, but Hannah Hampton, England’s goalie, made some incredible saves for her team that ultimately led to their win. Just when the crowd thought things couldn’t get any more tense, the penalties began. Beth Mead missed her first shot due to VAR catching a double touch. But Hampton showed off her unmatched talent and saved two Spain penalties. Finally, Chloe Kelly stepped up again and scored the final shot for England, making them champions for the second time in a row! 

Despite suffering an unexpected player injury, VAR setback, penalties, and unimaginable pressure going against a fellow giant like Spain, England didn’t let any of that stand in the way of their victory. They may not have always been the best team in the match, but they had heroic players like Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton who continued to show up and fight for their champion title. England’s determination and teamwork ultimately paid off in the end and it was the comeback we were all hoping for!

Standout Players

Throughout the final match between England and Spain, there were some players who shined brighter than the rest on the European stage. England’s Chloe Kelly emerged as an icon from the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament. Not only did she score the winning goal that made history this year and previously in 2022, but she also ended with the most chances created and crosses completed by a substitute in Women’s Euro history. Her skills were truly unmatched, and it was clear to everyone that when she stepped onto the pitch, the luck would shift in her team’s favour. Chloe was quoted saying “I actually missed three penalties in practice yesterday. But it's the belief in the squad, all 23 players and the unseen staff members, that gets you through the tournament. I'm proud to be English and proud to be part of the girls.”

Hannah Hampton earned Player of the Match in this season’s final, and we consider this honour well deserved on her part. Not only did she save two penalty shootouts by Spain, but she showcased her amazing goalkeeping ability throughout the entire match and was crucial to England’s victory. Hampton is truly this tournament's breakout star and considering this was her first major tournament, she stayed calm from beginning to end and handled it like a pro. She was quoted saying “All I can say is thank you to Sarina for all the belief and faith that she's had in me, she knew what I was capable of, and she's put [faith] in me to showcase what I can do. There's still a lot more to come from me but my first major tournament, to win it, that's not too bad!”

Another player who proved their worth was Michelle Agyemang, who also won the Young Player of the Tournament award. The 19-year-old forward captured the hearts of all of us throughout her time in the Euro tournament. When she left the bench and stepped onto the field, her energy was electric every time. Her fearlessness was crucial in England’s comeback, and she helped set the pace when they needed it the most. 

Finally, Aitana Bonmatí is also worth mentioning as one of the standout players from the tournament as a whole. She was rightfully named UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Player of the Tournament. This Spanish midfielder needs no introduction from us. Despite starting off on the bench in the first two matches, Aitana dazzled everyone with her performances in the quarter- and semi-finals where she was named Player of the Match consecutively.

Biggest Disappointments

Throughout the tournament there were some missed chances and let downs that none of us really saw coming! The biggest shock of all was definitely France and their performance in the 2025 Women’s Euro overall. They started off with such a talented squad and looked promising at the beginning of the tournament. But they couldn’t get through the quarterfinals, even having a one-player advantage against Germany. Their early departure from the tournament was shocking and disappointing for fans around the world. 

Another nation who didn’t deliver a solid performance this year was Norway. They have a strong squad on paper but aren’t able to find the rhythm and teamwork they need to go far. This underachievement has been a pattern for Norway since 2019, and they keep disappointing fans with their inability to work together as a group in these big tournaments. 

Another team who struggled on the grand stage is Sweden. Their journey in this year’s tournament was especially heartbreaking to witness. 18-year-old Smilla Holmberg missed the decisive penalty in their shootout against England, and she looked completely devastated for her team. Holmberg’s performance leading up to that tough moment was promising, so it was difficult for fans to watch.

Fun Facts

●      England is now only the second team ever to win two Women’s Euros in a row after Germany.

●      Sarina Wiegman is now a three-time Euro winning coach, matching Germany’s legendary Tina Theune.

●      The top scorer of the tournament was Esther González from Spain, who scored four goals overall.

●      England is the first team in tournament history to go to extra time in the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals.

●      For the first time ever, three matches in a Women’s Euro tournament ended in penalty shootouts.

●      A total of 657,291 fans attended the tournament, with an average crowd above 20,000 per match, a new record for a Women’s Euro!

Now that the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 has come to an end, we can all agree that the tournament was a rollercoaster from start to finish. From injuries to comebacks and penalty shootouts to heroic goals, England has taught us that giving up is never an option, even when you think you don’t stand a chance, you can still end on top. With icons like Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton on their squad, we expect England to continue this winning streak in the coming seasons!