Lionesses hero accused of lying about Euro 2025 final by Spain rival

Metro

a day ago

Lionesses hero Hannah Hampton has been accused of lying about her penalty shootout antics during England's Euro 2025 final win over Spain.
England defended their Euros title with a nervy penalty shootout victory over Spain last month.
The final ended 1-1 after 120 minutes as England striker Alessia Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey's first-half opener for World Cup holders Spain.
England then won the penalty shootout 3-1 after Spain missed three spot-kicks in a row, with Hampton saving two of them.
It was an inspired performance from a 24-year-old goalkeeper who was expected to play back-up to Mary Earps at Euro 2025 before the 32-year-old retired on the eve of the tournament.
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Reflecting on England's performance in Switzerland and her display in the penalty shootout last week, Hampton said she chucked her rival Cata Coll's water bottle into the stands.
Spain goalkeeper Coll has taped a guide for where England players usually aim their penalties to the bottle but Hampton said she disposed of it at the first opportunity.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Hampton said: 'The Spanish keeper had it (the penalty information) on her bottle, so I thought when she was going in goal, I'd just pick it up and chuck it into the English fans so she can't have it.
'I don't ever put it on a bottle because anyone can do that so I put it on my arm.'
A stunned Sam Matterface replied: 'Picked up her bottle and threw it?'
'Yeah, it wasn't hard,' Hampton continued. 'When she's gone in the goal, it's on its own isn't it? It's in the towel.'
But Spain star Coll has hit back at Hampton and accused her of fibbing about her antics in the final.
'Okay okay, calm down calm down,' Coll posted on social media with two laughing emojis. 'At least if it were true…'
Images from the moment in question do show a water bottle in position for the duration of the shootout.
Social media users have speculated that Hampton discarded of the wrong bottle.
Hampton was unwilling to risk her penalty notes falling into the wrong hands, however, revealing she places them under her sleeve on her arm.
Following her heroics at Euro 2025, Hampton has been nominated for the Yashin Trophy at this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The Chelsea shot-stopper has also been installed as one of the favourites to win the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award.
Becoming a European champion was a stunning achievement for a player who was told she would never play football again due to a serious eye condition.
The former Aston Villa and Birmingham star suffers with an eye condition called strabismus which she was diagnosed with since birth that could have ended her involvement in the sport before it even started.
'I was told from a young age that I couldn't play football, that it wouldn't be a profession I could pursue. But here I am,' she told the BBC prior to the win over Sweden.
Back in 2021 she told ex-England goalkeeper Ben Foster's Fozcast podcast: 'When pouring a glass of water, I'll miss the glass if I'm not holding it.
'The girls do it to me all the time at training: 'Can you make me a cup of tea?' And hold the cup, saying, 'Can I have some milk, please?'.
'I'll just spill it on their shoes and then they moan at me. 'Well, it's your own fault, isn't it?' It's all a bit of fun.'
Hampton also had to overcome family heartbreak during England's Euros campaign after her grandfather died two days before the start of the tournament.
Writing on Instagram the day after England's triumph, Hampton said: 'Dear Grandpa. Two days before the biggest tournament of my life, you left.
'It still doesn't feel real. I kept thinking when I'd call nannie I'd hear your voice again – one of your jokes, or one of those little comments you'd make that somehow said everything without saying much at all. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMpuhhYorY_/?hl=en
'You were one of my biggest supporters. You believed in me before I even knew what this journey would look like. You were always there – watching, encouraging, teaching.
'You taught me so much, not just about football, but about life. About staying grounded, working hard, being resilient and doing things the right way.
'I miss our chats. I miss you saying 'Only us athletes understand' — always with a little smirk like you were in on something special. And you were.
'You got it. You understood what this meant to me. You understood what it took. More Trending
'It breaks my heart that you didn't get to see me walk out for our country at my first major tournament… something you dreamed of for me, something we talked about so many times.
'I wanted to see your face or hear your voice after the game calling back home. I wanted to share that with you.
'But I know, deep down, you were still there. I felt you with me. In the tunnel. On the pitch. In the tough moments. I heard you in my head when I needed strength.
'I hope I made you proud, Grandpa. I carried you through every minute.
And I always will. I did it. WE DID IT.'
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