4 days ago
Dogged England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to retain women's Euro title
dpa
Basel, Switzerland
Chloe Kelly scored the winning kick yet again as England fought back for a third straight game to retain the women's European football Championship with a penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Spain.
Kelly scored the crucial spot-kick on Sunday as the Lionesses prevailed 3-1 in the shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. She also netted the winning goal in the Euro final three years ago against Germany.
'I am so proud of this team. So grateful to wear this badge. So proud to be English,' Kelly told the BBC, having also scored the extra-time winner over Italy in the semi, albeit on the rebound after her penalty was saved.
'I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice,' she smiled.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two Spanish penalties in Basel, including from world player of the year and of the tournament Aitana Bonmatí.
'We have got English blood in us, we never say die,' the keeper said.
In a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney won 1-0 by the Spanish, La Roja again dominated possession but England would not let go of their trophy as they became the first England side across the sexes to win a major tournament abroad.
The last team to defend a women's Euro crown was Germany in 2013.
England coach Sarina Wiegman, a former Netherlands boss, was already the first coach to reach five major tournament finals in a row.
She is now the first to win three straight Euros after the Lionesses came back again having also been behind in the quarters and semis.
'I can't believe it. The word 'team' really describes who we are,' Wiegman said. 'I am so proud of them. It's incredible.'
Heart trumps possession
Mariona Caldentey nodded in after 25 minutes to put Spain on the way in normal time but an equally good header from Alessia Russo - previously short of goals - pulled England level on 57.
Spain came close in extra-time at the end of the most watched women's Euro tournament ever, but England would not be denied.
England brought back Jess Carter in central defence for Esme Morgan while Lauren James was fit to play after ankle trouble - but looked off the pace and was replaced by Kelly on 40 minutes.
Wiegman had resisted the temptation to start Michelle Agyemang or Kelly despite their heroics in the comeback wins over Sweden and Italy in the previous two rounds.
Spain made two changes from the extra-time victory over Germany, with Athenea replacing Clàudia Pina on the wing and defender Laia Aleixandri coming back from suspension for Maria Mendez.
England had a couple of early chances while Mariona went close at the other end in an open first half in Basel.
She did not have to wait too long though as her bullet header from Ona Batlle's cross after a neat move put Spain in front.
Classy Spain had the better of the opening exchanges of the second half too, but then the Lionesses levelled out of nowhere.
Kelly's cross was superbly headed home by Russo, who was given too much room by the Spanish defence. She nodded it back the way it came for her second goal of the tournament.
The game stayed open and Kelly's shot was just pushed past the post.
England teenager Agyemang - the young player of the tournament - was then introduced for Russo, with former world player of the year Alexia Putellas replaced by Pina for Spain.
It was the third straight game for England to go at least 120 minutes and the second in a row for Spain.
Salma Paralluelo went close for a dominant Spain in the extra period - but penalties were needed. England triumphed as their heart trumped Spain's possession-based approach.
The Spanish had wanted to move on from 2023, where the aftermath of their World Cup final win was dominated by the kiss scandal involving then-Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales rather than their victory.
'I'm in shock. We've given it our all,' Bonmatí said. 'I must apologize for my mistake in the penalties and congratulate our opponents. We were superior in terms of play, but that's not everything, you have to score.'
