With her hands cradling her head and disbelief washing over her, Lucy Bronze, the stalwart defender for the Lionesses, stood paralyzed before the goal. In the Women’s Euro 2025 final, England found themselves trailing 1-0 against the highly favored Spanish team, creating a chaotic scene on the pitch.
This moment felt painfully familiar.
For the third consecutive match, the England players gazed at the scoreboard, lost for answers. A header from Mariona Caldentey in the 25th minute, the culmination of a rapid Spanish attack down the right wing, had extinguished the joyous cheers emanating from the England supporters.
A collective groan, “Not again,” echoed among the England fans, whether they were among the tens of thousands in attendance at Basel’s St. Jakob-Park in Switzerland or the millions nervously watching back home. This heartbreaking narrative was too similar to one they had seen just two years prior: a first-half goal from Spain in the FIFA World Cup final in Sydney, Australia, had left them devastated.
But this time, the narrative was destined to change.
Embodying their reputation for resilience, England surged back into action as Alessia Russo leveled the score in the second half, pushing the match into extra time against the reigning world champions.
Although statistics heavily favored La Roja over the course of two hours, it was England’s tenacity and determination that ultimately secured their victory.
“Football is chaos,” remarked England coach Sarina Wiegman in an interview with the BBC after a whirlwind of emotions during her team’s 3-1 triumph in the penalty shootout against Spain.
With her signature run-up, Chloe Kelly converted the decisive penalty, her fist raised high in celebration. The dramatic comeback, referred to as a “remontada” by the Spanish, was now complete.
The composed Kelly, who also assisted Russo’s equalizer, emerged as the celebrated hero of England’s championship team, just as she had done at Wembley during Euro 2022.
“The first time was so nice, we had to do it twice,” she beamed, proudly displaying the gold medal that now graced her neck.
The Impact of Substitutes
The thrilling victory on that Sunday was a perfect reflection of England’s Euro 2025 journey: mesmerizing, unpredictable, and immensely entertaining.
Despite leading for merely five minutes in the knockout rounds, their ability to adapt and seize opportunities when crucial defined their championship narrative.
By doing so, they etched one of the most remarkable chapters in English football, a triumph that rivals even the men’s World Cup victory in 1966.
“This tournament has been a whirlwind of chaos on the pitch,” noted Wiegman, who now boasts three Euro titles in her coaching career. “To lose your opening match and still emerge as European champions is simply incredible.”
Indeed, England’s title defense kicked off with a 2-1 loss to France, raising early doubts about their status as serious challengers. Yet, commanding victories—like a 4-0 drubbing of the Netherlands and a 6-1 dismantling of Wales—stabilized their campaign as they advanced to the knockout stage.
However, the ultimate challenge lurked ahead. The quarterfinals and semifinals tested England’s resolve, requiring the players to remain calm during exhilarating climactic moments. They thrived under pressure, thanks to Wiegman’s strategic acumen and the depth of talent in her squad.
While eleven minutes from elimination during the quarterfinals, young phenom Michelle Agyemang scored a stunning equalizer against Sweden, as England rallied from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in penalties.
The 19-year-old reserve, whose surname aptly translates to “savior of the nation,” once again rose to the occasion in the semifinals against Italy, netting a last-minute equalizer to force extra time.
Super-sub Kelly ultimately sealed the deal, scoring off a missed penalty in the dying seconds of extra time.
The extraordinary contributions of England’s substitutes were unparalleled throughout the tournament, directly involving themselves in ten goals—twice as many as any other team and the highest record for a single edition since 2013.
‘Adversity Fades’
Just six months prior, Kelly was barely getting minutes at Manchester City and questioning her place in Euro 2025. A pivotal loan to Arsenal transformed her trajectory.
“Just around the corner was a Champions League final, and now this Euro final,” she reflected, having become a match-defining player in critical moments. “If that’s a story for others facing challenges, remember, tough times don’t last.”
Similar to Kelly, goalkeeper Hannah Hampton emerged as a pivotal figure for England during the European Championships, overcoming her own adversities.
The 24-year-old, making her major tournament debut and stepping into the shoes of the celebrated Mary Earps, displayed remarkable resilience, making two decisive saves in the quarterfinals despite a bloodied nose and thwarting crucial attempts in the final, including a shot from Aitana Bonmati, widely regarded as one of the world’s top players.
Defying the odds following multiple surgeries for a severe eye condition, Hampton concluded her Euro journey crowned as the player of the match in the final.
“I think she’s been outstanding,” Wiegman praised. “It feels like a fairytale to stop those penalties in the final of the Euros and to win it.”
Having triumphed in Switzerland, Wiegman and the Lionesses returned to their homeland, riding through jubilant crowds on an open-top bus parade across London. This time, the message was no longer simply, “It’s coming home.” Instead, it’s firmly staying home.
