Spain loses Euro 2025 final to England on penalties

Spain’s Heartbreaking Loss in UEFA Women’s European Championship Final

Spain’s quest for their first UEFA Women’s European Championship title came to a devastating end in a penalty shootout against England in Basel. Montse Tome’s side, who had previously clinched a World Cup title, faced off against England in a highly anticipated final showdown.

The match started with Mariona Caldentey’s first-half header putting Spain in the lead, but England’s resilience shone through as Alessia Russo equalized just before the hour mark. The game went into extra time, with both teams fighting tooth and nail to break the deadlock.

Penalty Shootout Drama

The tension escalated as the match went into a penalty shootout, where the spotlight fell on the goalkeepers. Cata Coll and Hannah Hampton displayed exceptional skills, with Hampton emerging as the hero for England. Despite Patri Guijarro’s successful penalty for Spain, Hampton’s saves against Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati turned the tide in England’s favor.

Coll also made crucial saves for Spain, but a missed penalty by Salma Paralluelo and Chloe Kelly’s clincher for England sealed Spain’s fate. This defeat marked the end of Spain’s three consecutive quarter-final exits in major tournaments.

Looking Ahead to the Nations League Finals

Despite the disappointment, Spain now shifts their focus to the upcoming 2025 Nations League finals. With a three-month break before their semi-final clash against Sweden in October, Tome’s team aims to repeat their success from the inaugural Nations League title in 2024.

If Spain overcomes Sweden, they will face tough competition from Germany or France in the final showdown in December. The road to redemption begins as Spain sets their sights on conquering the Nations League and building on their legacy in women’s football.