England vs Spain: Your ultimate guide to the Women's Euro 2025 final

Telegraph

27-07-2025

England are through to the Euro 2025 final after beating Italy 2-1 in extra time. They will have the chance to defend their title as champions of Europe against Spain in Sunday's final.
Spain are on the hunt for their first European Championship, having beaten England to win the World Cup in 2023, in a match overshadowed by the behaviour of Luis Rubiales afterwards.
What date is the Euro 2025 final?
Sunday, July 27. The Lionesses have had slightly longer to prepare, given that their semi-final was on Tuesday; Spain's was on Wednesday.
What time does it start?
The kick-off is scheduled for 5pm BST, or 6pm local time in Switzerland.
What TV channel is it on?
The final will be shown live on BBC One and simultaneously on ITV1 (as well as their respective digital offerings), with coverage starting from 4pm on both channels.
What stadium is it in?
Basel's St Jakob-Park, the largest football stadium in Switzerland and home to FC Basel, the Swiss champions.
This ground hosted Switzerland against Norway on the opening night of the tournament, with a turnout of 34,063. The capacity is about 37,500.
What is the prize money?
All 16 teams earned £1.6m in qualifying for the Euros, but the maximum prize money a team can win is £4.4m if they win every game. Spain are the only team able to win this maximum sum as England lost in the group stages.
There is a £1.5m bonus for the winner on top of their winnings from the previous games and the runners-up will take home almost £700,000 for their efforts. The total prize money is £35.5m, which is an increase of 156 per cent on Euro 2022.
England's players will receive a five-figure sum should they lift the trophy on Sunday. The team's agreement with the Football Association means they would share 40 per cent of that prize pot, which is around £75,000 per player. The £2,000 fee for each match would then take the payment to £87,000.
Who will win? Our experts' predictions
England 0 Spain 1
It is hard to bet against the Lionesses when they have come from behind so dramatically in their last two games, but I struggle to see Spain allowing them to do so again in the final. The left side of England's defence remains their weak spot and Spain have an array of attacking talents who can exploit it. The Lionesses were not at their best against Sweden or Italy and will need to find another couple of gears if they are to win this final. It will likely be a close game, as it was in the 2023 World Cup final, but Spain should just have the edge.
England 2 Spain 1
If you were picking a tournament winner before a ball was kicked in Switzerland, it would have been one of England, Germany or Spain – and here we are. A repeat of the World Cup final two years ago, when England were comprehensively outplayed by Spain, should serve as a warning that this is a huge challenge for Sarina Wiegman's side. However, I think England have been preparing for this showdown ever since that defeat in Sydney and they will have a plan. England beat Spain at Wembley in February. Like England, the Spanish have not looked at their best in this tournament and it is bound to be another tight game. I just feel an England win, given the way they have got to the final, is written in the stars.
England 1 Spain 2 AET [1-1 after 90 minutes]
Before the tournament, Spain were undoubtedly the favourites to back up their World Cup win with a Euros title, but in the days before the final it looks set to be a more even contest than many would have predicted. That said, England have been lucky. A penalty shoot-out against Sweden could easily have swung the other way and they were within a minute or two away from exiting in the semi-finals against Italy. Spain's trademark style and confidence presents a difficult task for England and I cannot see them finding a way to upset the pre-tournament favourites.
England 1 Spain 2
Despite something of a slow performance in the semi-final, I think Spain will take home the European title. England are missing a lot of the big names that made a difference in their previous successes against this side and Spain have had a strong campaign. I can see things playing out in similar fashion to England's group-stage defeat by France, with their defence conceding two goals and Sarina Wiegman taking too long to make changes. My guess would be that the consolation goal will be scored by Michelle Agyemang, yet again brought on too late.
What is the latest news?
Lauren James has been passed fit to play in the Lionesses' Euro 2025 final with Spain on Sunday.
James had been a doubt ahead of the game after picking up an ankle injury in the semi-final against Italy. But England manager Sarina Wiegman confirmed James is fit and available to start if required.
'We had 23 players on the pitch [training] today and everyone came through. I'm very happy we have 23 players,' Wiegman said.
'I think we have many players that can impact, and we know that she can have an impact too.'
England captain Leah Williamson added: 'Lauren brings something slightly different, just like the others, so obviously having that available is best-case scenario for us.'
Williamson, who recovered from an ankle injury which forced her to be withdrawn in extra-time against Sweden, added that the Lionesses are ready to put their bodies on the line to defend their title.
'I can speak for every single member of the squad when we say that, as long as we get the green light, we will play through absolutely anything to be involved on this stage,' Williamson said.
'I think it's a real privilege to be involved with this team. The history on the line and the opportunity that's there to be the first this and the first that is a huge motivator, but more because we know what it would do for women's football and continue the legacy we've already started.'
Spain's biggest threats
Spain's midfield is arguably the best in the world. Two-time Ballon d'Or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati sit in front of defensive anchor Patri Guijarro. All three play for Barcelona and have an incredible understanding of each other.
Putellas has enjoyed a fine tournament, with three goals and four assists. Bonmati, meanwhile, had a slower start after recovering from pre-tournament meningitis but scored the goal that sent Spain to the final and is peaking at the right time.
Breakthrough for Spain as Aitana Bonmati puts them ahead in extra-time! 👊 #BBCFootball #WEuro2025 pic.twitter.com/TrffkPThJb
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 23, 2025
There has often been a suggestion that Putellas and Bonmati struggle to thrive when they play alongside each other. Putellas was forced to sit on the bench for much of the World Cup, with Bonmati taking centre stage. But they have shown at this tournament that they can link up with one another, which makes Spain all the more dangerous.
Their possession-based style means their opponents have to ensure they maintain their concentration at all times. They often wear teams down by keeping the ball and stretching play. They have made nearly 1,000 more passes than England across this tournament – they epitomise tiki-taka football – and, according to the statisticians, are better than the defending champions in all departments bar two.
England have an obvious weakness on the left-hand side of their defence and Spain will look to get their creative players on the ball in those areas. They also have Athenea del Castillo, who scored against Switzerland, to bring off the bench.
How England can exploit Spain's weaknesses
Spain may have incredible midfielders and forwards, but their obvious weakness is in defence. Their two centre-backs, Irene Paredes and Laia Aleixandri, both lack pace and England have plenty of attacking talents who can exploit that. Lauren Hemp will likely start on the left wing and the key will be trying to get her in behind right-back Ona Batlle so she can run at Paredes. Alessia Russo showed in the Nations League fixture in June that she could out-pace the centre-back – as can most of the Lionesses' forwards.
Left-back Olga Carmona can cause problems going forward but she can also leave gaps behind her. As much as England should fear Spain's attackers, they should also be confident of causing problems at the other end.
The Lionesses should also look to test goalkeeper Cata Coll as often as possible. Coll is capable of making eye-catching saves – but also mistakes.
This is where the two teams have had their touches during the tournament, with Spain spending two thirds of the time in the opposition half while it is a little over 50 per cent for England.
Why the Lionesses should feel optimistic
Arsenal's unexpected victory over Barcelona in the Champions League final should give England some cause for optimism. Few gave the English side a chance but they played a perfect game plan by packing the midfield. Their wingers dropped back to help defend and Alessia Russo pressed hard to stop their build-up play. Barcelona may not play exactly the same way as Spain but there are a lot of similarities. If England can replicate what Arsenal managed in the Champions League final, they could come away with the same result.
What are the odds?
After 90 minutes
Spain 5/12
England 11/5
Draw 14/5
To lift the trophy
Spain 2/5
England 21/10