Euro 2025: Bonmatí says Spain being 'the best team of the tournament' wasn't enough to win trophy
The 2023 World Cup winner and 2024 UEFA Nations League title holder still does not have a European title for its stellar generation after a penalty shootout loss to England in the final after a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Spain trailed for just four minutes' play across six games in the entire tournament. England led for barely five minutes' play in its three knockout rounds games – and none against Spain.
'We were the best team of the tournament, but sometimes that's not enough,' Spain star Aitana Bonmatí said.
Bonmatí cut a sad figure walking to the trophy ceremony platform to collect her trophy as the best player of the tournament, which she began days after being hospitalized with a bout of viral meningitis.
Bonmatí's spot kick in the shootout was one of two saved by England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Mariona Caldentey, whose 25th-minute headed goal seemed to set Spain on track for victory, also had her penalty saved.
Caldentey also went close to scoring a second time in the first half, in which tournament top scorer Esther Gonzalez had three chances to score.
Early in the second half, Caldentey's Arsenal teammates Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo combined to level the score on Russo's header.
'I'm a bit in shock,' Bonmatí said. 'It was cruel. We played better, created more scoring chances, but in soccer sometimes that's not enough. It all came down to the penalties.'
'I'm sorry for my miss,' said two-time Ballon d'Or winner Bonmatí, whose teammates Caldentey and Alexia Putellas also failed from the spot in a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Switzerland.
'I think this team deserved more. At least not living with this bitter feeling,' Spain coach Montse Tomé said in translated comments.
Spain captain Irene Paredes said it was 'hard to look for the positives so soon. Right now, it's a very tough moment.'
'England were happy just to reach penalties but, in the shootout, we didn't perform well,' said Paredes, whose Barcelona team also lost the Women's Champions League final in May to an English opponent, Arsenal. 'To be a champion you need some luck, and I believe they had it.'
Spain still is a world champion and will soon prepare to start qualifying for the defense of its title. The 2027 World Cup is being played in Brazil.
'We will be back,' Bonmatí said. 'There will be a World Cup in a couple of years, and that's our goal now. This is a golden generation, with a lot of young players.'
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Real Madrid Are Eyeing A Move To Land This Liverpool Defender Next Summer: Good Choice For Alonso?
In a recent report, Fichajes mentioned that Real Madrid are eyeing a move to land Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate next summer. It has been stated that Los Blancos are eager to strengthen their defence by recruiting the France international at the end of next season. Konate's Decent Run Of Form In English Football Konate enjoyed a solid campaign at the Merseyside club recently as he put in a series of impressive performances at the heart of Arne Slot's backline. The French defensive ace made 42 appearances for Liverpool last season, scoring two goals and earning two assists on all fronts. The 26-year-old was a rock at the back after he made 40 tackles, 29 blocks and 17 interceptions in the Premier League. He was even tidy when distributing possession from inside his half after completing 90.2% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football (stats via His current contract at Anfield will run out at the end of next season, which could open the door for Los Blancos to sign him on a free transfer in 2026. YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 30: Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool FC in action during the MEIJI YASUDA World Challenge 2025 presented by The Nippon Foundation match between Yokohama F•Marinos and Liverpool at Nissan Stadium on July 30, 2025 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by) Is Konate A Good Choice For Real Madrid Boss Xabi Alonso? Konate loves a tackle and can read the danger well to earn the ball back for his team inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when needed and can use his strong 1.94m frame to dominate the opposition attackers in the air. The France international has been a consistent performer for Liverpool over the past few years. Thus, it is only logical for Los Blancos to try and lure him to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on a free transfer next summer. At 26, Konate has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a great choice for Real Madrid to consider next summer. The Liverpool star would no doubt enhance the quality of Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso's defence. He has what it takes to nail down a regular first-team spot at the Madrid club. The French talent could even help the Madrid outfit compete for a lot of major trophies in the future. Furthermore, he would be available as a free agent, which makes him an affordable option for Los Blancos to pull off in 2026.
New York Times
20 minutes ago
- New York Times
Sporting CP make Jota Silva enquiry to Nottingham Forest
Portuguese side Sporting CP have made an enquiry to Nottingham Forest over a potential move for winger Jota Silva. If a deal progresses, talks are expected to centre around a loan move for the 26-year-old, who joined Forest in a £5.9million transfer from Vitoria in August 2024. Jota made 31 Premier League appearances for Forest last season, although 26 of those were as a substitute. He scored three goals, including the final strike in the 7-0 win over Brighton in February. He continues to train with Nuno Espirito Santo's squad and he came off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Fiorentina at the City Ground on Tuesday. Jota had been keen to push for more of an opportunity in the Forest side in the coming campaign, but finds himself with serious competition for his place. Anthony Elanga departed for Newcastle in a £52million move last month, and fellow wide man Ramon Sosa, the Paraguay international, was allowed to join Palmeiras. But Forest acted swiftly to bolster their options with the addition of Dan Ndoye from Bologna in a £35million deal. Nuno is keen to be reunited with Adama Traore, the Fulham winger, whom he coached during his time as manager of Wolves, to add to a group of wingers at the City Ground that also includes former England man Callum Hudson-Odoi. The Athletic reported earlier on Wednesday that Forest have had a bid rejected for Ipswich Town's Omari Hutchinson. The proposal was worth £35million, with Ipswich demanding a higher price if a sale was to occur. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
New York Times
22 minutes ago
- New York Times
Diogo Jota to feature on Premier League trading cards for upcoming season
Diogo Jota will feature in the Premier League's official trading cards for the upcoming 2025-26 season when the new collection is launched in the United Kingdom on Thursday. The Liverpool striker and his brother Andre Silva both died in a car accident in the Spanish province of Zamora on July 3. However, the players selected for the Topps Premier League Trading Cards from all 20 clubs had to be finalised by the end of May with the packs then sent for production. Jota is included in the club's new Adidas kit for the coming season and Topps have made Liverpool aware of the unfortunate situation. The Topps collection will be launched in the UK on August 7 with the international launch set to follow on August 21. Some of the cards, which come in packs of 10, include genuine autographs from current stars and Premier League legends. Jota is understood to have signed some of them. Liverpool recently unveiled plans for a memorial sculpture at Anfield as the focal point for a permanent tribute to Jota. Arne Slot's players will also wear a 'Forever 20' emblem on their shirts and stadium jackets for the duration of the 2025-26 season and the LFC Foundation, the club's official charity, will launch a grassroots football programme in the Portugal international's name. Advertisement A special fan mosaic and a minute's silence is planned for the first game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday August 15. Liverpool announced last month that they were permanently retiring the No. 20 shirt at all levels of the club in memory of Jota, who scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club. (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
