England women beat Spain on penalties to retain the European championships but it could have been far less dramatic had Beth Mead not failed to score the opening spot-kick twice
20:00, 27 Jul 2025Updated 20:46, 27 Jul 2025
Beth Mead scored her penalty in the shootout against Spain but it did not count(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images))
England supporters were watching Sunday’s European Championships final against Spain with one eye closed during a tense penalty shoot-out.
After Mariona Caldentey put the world champions ahead in a dominant first-half, England fought back thanks to Alessia Russo with a smart header. The final played out for the entire 120 minutes with no further breakthrough meaning penalties decided who would become champions of Europe.
Fortunately for Sarina Wiegman’s team, the Three Lions were victorious with a 3-1 win in the shoot-out. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive spot-kick after Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati and Salma Parralluelo all missed for Spain.
However, many would have been left confused at Beth Mead’s spot-kick. The forward took England’s first penalty and initially scored, despite slipping over. VAR intervened and deemed Mead’s penalty struck a double touch meaning it would not count. It meant she had to retake the kick and was denied by Cataliana Coll.
Rules state that penalties can not strike both feet. Mead’s spot-kick did touch both her left and right as she slipped meaning the rebounded effort was cancelled out.
Fortunately, it didn’t mean anything to the outcome of the tie with Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles and Kelly all converting to make England European champions once again.
Hannah Hampton’s heroics in penalty shoot-outs continued with the Chelsea goalkeeper denying Bonmati and Caldentey after her previous highlights against Sweden.
England have now won the European Championships back-to-back times after 2022’s success at Wembley. Now, the Lionesses’ will return to England and soak in their historical achievements.
Lionesses Bring It Home Again – Souvenir Edition On Sale Now
Sarina Wiegman’s legends have made history and brought football home once more after defending their title and winning Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
And to celebrate, we have produced this special souvenir edition of Women’s Football News.
It is crammed with interviews with the Lionesses, special features, their match-by-match road to glory as well as dozens of amazing images. Order your copy here.
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