England’s national women’s football team achieved a historic milestone by winning the Women’s Euro 2025 title, triumphing over Spain in a thrilling penalty shootout. The match, held at a packed Wembley Stadium, showcased the resilience and skill of the English squad, who navigated a tumultuous tournament to emerge as champions.
Head coach Sarina Wiegman marked her third Euro crown. This accomplishment ensures her legacy as one of the most successful managers the sport has ever seen. England’s path to victory was marked by remarkable performances, including a stunning comeback from a goal down against Sweden in the quarterfinals and a strong showing despite an initial loss to France.
England’s journey culminated in a gripping final against Spain, where they demonstrated their tenacity and ability to perform under pressure. Kelly converted the final penalty in England’s shootout to decide the match after Russia had tied the game from the spot and forced the decider.
A Tournament of Triumphs and Trials
The Euro 2025 tournament was not all smooth sailing. Defending the team’s championship started off on the wrong foot with a stunning opening 2-1 loss to France, a result that might have sunk their hopes. Rather than giving in to first-st-semester-letdown syndrome, they came back in fine form.
Wiegman remarked on the chaotic nature of the tournament, saying, “It has been the most chaotic tournament on the pitch…. From the first game, it was chaos.” This unpredictability really challenged the team’s determination, but it brought them together and sharpened their collective focus.
England’s triumphant performance in the tournament more than doubled that record! More impressively, they were directly involved in ten goals, more than any other team. One of the bright lights of this young talent-focused squad was Michelle Agyemang, who went on to be named “Best Young Player” of the entire tournament. Her contributions were a testament to the high level of skill among the US youth ranks.
Key Players Shine in the Final
The individual and collective brilliance of our final against Spain was out on display that day. Alessia Russo found herself on the back foot, but she was not to be outdone. She equalized with a perfectly timed volley, demonstrating her talent for scoring important goals.
Chloe Kelly helped lead the Lionesses’ deep run in the tournament. She scored the winning penalty in the shootout, but she provided these decisive moments all tournament long. Kelly commented on her recent successes, stating, “Just around the corner was a Champions League final, won that, and now a Euros final, won that.”
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton played a vital role throughout the tournament. Rock-solid shot-stopping at key moments was what kept England in the fight. Her performances were called upon most during the pressure cooker of the knockout stage against dominant teams, and she never faltered.
Celebrating a Historic Victory
Following their victory, England’s players celebrated on the streets of London in an open-top bus parade. Crowds cheered with joy, taking to the streets to celebrate Baltimore’s historic win. The atmosphere was incredible as fans rejoiced in their win and in the journey the team had forged all the way to the finals through the tournament.
The message echoing back from the squad changed from “It’s coming home” to a singing, laughing triumphant chant of their title reign. This shift demonstrates their success and a new confidence in the abilities of cities to operate independently and influence their futures on the global stage.
