UEFA Euro: Chloe Kelly’s Heroics and Spain’s Bitter Loss
England has claimed back-to-back European championships, and once again, it was Chloe Kelly who provided the perfect ending. The Arsenal star confidently approached the penalty spot, rolled the ball backward a few times, and executed her signature hop before sending a shot into the upper left corner past Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll.
A Thrilling Final
This moment capped off an epic final between the two best teams in the world, where England showcased yet another comeback in this tournament. The match featured two goals scored from headers – Mariona Caldentay’s opener in the 25th minute and Alessia Russo’s equalizer in the 57th minute – setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion. When neither team could score during extra time, the match was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout.
England’s 24-year-old goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, made three crucial saves, including a standout stop against two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí. It then fell to Kelly, who scored the game-winner for the Lionesses.
Highlights from the Match
Kelly’s Legend Grows
Kelly etched her name into women’s football history three years ago when she scored the winning goal for England against Germany in the 2022 Euros tnc mlbb. Her celebration—tearing off her shirt like Brandi Chastain—changed the sport forever in England. Earlier this year, she made a permanent move to Arsenal and helped the club secure the Champions League title. This summer, she played a significant role for England off the bench, contributing two assists and two game-winning goals in the knockout rounds.
Though she could have been unhappy about not starting, Kelly put her trust in manager Sarina Wiegman’s strategy and became an essential asset from the bench. This approach always worked in England’s favor, particularly when she scored the game-winning goal in the semifinal against Italy, securing their spot in the final, and stepped up as the fifth penalty shooter in the final.
With this victory, England has become the first nation to win consecutive European championships since Germany in 2013. Wiegman now boasts three straight Euro titles: 2017 with the Netherlands and 2022 and 2025 with England.
England’s Resilience
This victory was especially sweet for England, which fell to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final. Widely regarded as the world’s No. 1 team—despite being ranked No. 2 behind the United States in FIFA’s rankings—Spain proved to be a more formidable opponent than the German team England faced in the Euro final three years ago. ran takahashi volleyball
The way England united to defeat Spain stood out as the match’s most impressive aspect. Despite not looking like the best team throughout the tournament and losing their first match against France, the Lionesses pushed through, coming back to beat Sweden and Italy in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
England utilized a successful game plan against La Roja on Sunday. Whenever Spain took the lead or attempted to control the game, England remained calm. Down 1-0 at halftime, the team emerged from the break smiling and relaxed, confronting adversity head-on and finding a way to win. U.S. women’s national team legend and FOX Sports analyst Carli Lloyd remarked on the broadcast, “For those that don’t think mentality and resiliency matter, they truly do.”
Spain’s Disappointment
Even with the loss, Spain arguably fields the most talented squad globally and will return stronger as they prepare to defend their World Cup title in less than two years. galaxybet The reigning champions were favorites to win the Euros. While England faced adversity through each round, Spain largely dominated their opponents, although they faced challenges from host nation Switzerland and powerhouse Germany.
After leading 1-0 at halftime, Spain felt the pressure to score early in the second half to keep England at bay. Instead, the Lionesses equalized shortly after the break. Bonmatí, whose stunning extra-time goal against Germany propelled Spain to the final, was not as impactful as expected. Alexia Putellas also had a subdued performance and was substituted during the second half.
Spain’s penalty shootout commenced strongly, with Coll stopping shots from Beth Mead and Leah Williamson. However, misses from Caldentay, Bonmatí, and Salma Paralluelo ultimately set the stage for Kelly’s dramatic game-winner. Despite the loss, Bonmatí earned the Player of the Tournament award, becoming the first player from a losing team to receive the honor.
The Growth of Women’s Football
This tournament showcased the significant growth of women’s soccer worldwide. The vibrant and enthusiastic fan experiences in Switzerland, alongside record-breaking attendance figures, highlighted the sport’s development. UEFA reported a record 657,291 spectators attended the tournament, exceeding the previous record of 574,875 at the 2022 Euros in England.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin noted, “UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 has marked a major milestone in the evolution of women’s football. phlove casino download With record-breaking attendance, exceptional media coverage, and unprecedented global interest, the tournament has captured the world’s attention. The success of the tournament also reflects our continued commitment to the growth of women’s football los.movies.”
What are your thoughts on the impact of this tournament on women’s soccer?
