In a tournament defined by resilience, drama, and sheer determination, England’s Lionesses etched their names into football history by defending their UEFA Women’s Euro title at Euro 2025, defeating world champions Spain in a thrilling penalty shootout on July 27, 2025, in Basel, Switzerland. The 3-1 shootout victory, capped by Chloe Kelly’s decisive spot-kick, marked the first time an English senior team has won a major tournament on foreign soil and solidified the Lionesses’ status as a powerhouse in women’s football.
It's home, again. pic.twitter.com/tng5sR27KJ
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 27, 2025
A Rocky Road to the Final
The Lionesses’ journey to the Euro 2025 final was anything but straightforward. Under the guidance of manager Sarina Wiegman, who secured her third consecutive European title (including one with the Netherlands in 2017), England faced adversity at every turn. The campaign began with a humbling 2-1 defeat to France in their opening match at Stadion Letzigrund, where their defense was exposed, and Wiegman admitted her team was “bullied all over the pitch.” Critics wrote them off, but the Lionesses, true to their nickname, proved they had “infinite lives.”
Facing elimination, England responded with a commanding 4-0 victory over the Netherlands, with Lauren James scoring twice, and Georgia Stanway and Ella Toone adding to the tally. The quarter-final against Sweden saw them claw back from a 2-0 deficit, surviving a penalty shootout despite four missed spot-kicks, thanks to goalkeeper Hannah Hampton’s heroics. The semi-final against Italy was equally dramatic, with 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang scoring a last-gasp equalizer in injury time and Chloe Kelly netting the winner in the 119th minute of extra time.
The Final: A Clash of Titans
The final pitted England against Spain, a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final where Spain had triumphed. With 32,000 fans packed into St. Jakob-Park, the match was a tense affair. Spain struck first through Mariona Caldentey, but Alessia Russo’s equalizer leveled the score at 1-1, forcing extra time. Neither side could break the deadlock, setting the stage for a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Hannah Hampton emerged as the hero, saving two of Spain’s three consecutive missed penalties, while Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles, and Chloe Kelly converted theirs. Kelly’s winning kick sparked wild celebrations, though her exuberant run in front of Spain’s goalkeeper Cata Coll drew criticism from Spanish media as “cocky.” For England, it was a moment of redemption and a chance to avenge their 2023 World Cup loss.
Resilience Amid Adversity
The Lionesses’ triumph was not without off-field challenges. Defender Jess Carter faced racist abuse during the tournament, prompting the team to abandon their pre-match anti-racism gesture of taking the knee, seeking a new way to combat discrimination. Despite the abuse, Carter returned to the starting lineup for the final, showing remarkable courage. Captain Leah Williamson, who lifted the trophy alongside Wiegman, emphasized that their success was no fluke: “We have ridden our luck, but I don’t think we were lucky.”
Lucy Bronze, playing through a fractured tibia, and Ella Toone, dedicating the win to her late father, exemplified the team’s grit and emotional depth. Wiegman praised her squad’s ability to thrive in “chaotic and ridiculous” circumstances, noting their capacity to inspire beyond the pitch.
A Nation Celebrates
The victory captivated the nation, with over 16 million viewers tuning in, making it the most-watched television moment of 2025 so far. The Lionesses returned to a hero’s welcome, landing at Southend Airport on July 28, where Williamson proudly held the trophy aloft. A Downing Street reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner followed, with the team presenting a signed England shirt. A jubilant open-top bus parade through central London and a ceremony outside Buckingham Palace on July 29 allowed fans to celebrate their champions.
Despite calls for a bank holiday, Downing Street declined, humorously noting, “If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win, we’d never go to work.” Royal Mail marked the occasion with a special postmark: “It’s Home. Again. Champions of Europe 2025.” King Charles III and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lauded the team, with the former praising their ability to transform “setbacks into victory.”
A Legacy of Inspiration
The Lionesses’ Euro 2025 triumph is more than a sporting achievement; it’s a cultural milestone. The team’s success has shifted the conversation around English football, proving that women’s football is where the nation’s dreams of glory are being realized. Their resilience inspired a new generation, with predictions of a “massive knock-on effect” at grassroots levels. The government also announced plans to double women’s and girls’ football access to sports facilities, signaling a commitment to the sport’s growth.
With players like Chloe Kelly, Michelle Agyemang, and Hannah Hampton becoming household names, and Wiegman cementing her legacy as one of football’s greatest managers, the Lionesses have shown the world what it means to be tough, united, and unyielding. As they bask in their glory days, England’s women have not only brought football home—they’ve made it their own.
