Wiegman hails England’s spirit
Sarina Wiegman hailed England’s team spirit as she savoured the “chaos” of their successful Euro 2025 defence.
Wiegman’s side lost their opener to France and needed extra time in all of their games after the group stage in Switzerland, but emerged victorious in the most nail-biting and dramatic fashion.
The 55-year-old, who has now won the last three Women’s European Championships – previously with Netherlands in 2017 and England in 2022 – said on BBC One: “I can’t believe it. The word ‘team’ really described who we are, a team.”
Sarina Wiegman celebrates with her players (AP)
Lawrence Ostlere27 July 2025 23:10
Bronze: We never stopped believing
The Chelsea defender admitted the tournament in Switzerland had been one of the most demanding of her career.
“I do not think we ever stopped believing in ourselves. There was a lot of noise from the outside, but we stayed united and gave everything,” Bronze said.
“To win it on penalties shows just how inspiring this team is to be part of.
“Today we showed resilience. We have shown everyone that you should always believe in yourself, no matter what others say.”
Lawrence Ostlere27 July 2025 22:50
Bronze: I played through the pain
England defender Lucy Bronze revealed that she had played the entire tournament with a fractured tibia.
“I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg,” Bronze said on Sunday after helping the Lionesses to edge Spain 3-1 on penalties after the final ended 1-1 following extra time.
“That’s why I got a lot of praise from the girls after the Sweden game, as I’ve been in a lot of pain. If that’s what it takes to play for England, that’s what I’ll do.”
Lucy Bronze, second right, revealed she played the whole of the women’s Euros with a fractured tibia (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere27 July 2025 22:37
We deserved more, says Spain coach Tome
Spain took a first-half lead but England equalised through Alessia Russo and battled superbly to take the game to a 1-1 draw and a shootout.
“I think we were better, but football is a sport where the best team doesn’t always win.England are an excellent national team, they showed their level during the tournament. They draw, and then they defend themselves to get the penalties,” Tome said.
The 42-year-old coach could not hide her disappointment that her squad had come up short of another major title.
“This is our profession. what we worked for, what they worked for deserved a different ending,” she said.
“That’s why today I have the feeling that we almost reached it, but it’s gone. I really value all the work done — we wrote history during the whole tournament, and the team was good,” Tome added
Lawrence Ostlere27 July 2025 22:15
We deserved more, says Spain coach Tome
Spain coach Montse Tome was left ruing her side’s inability to take their chances as the world champions fell to a penalty shootout by England in the Women’s Euros final on Sunday after they dominated a game that finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
The Spaniards had 24 attempts on goal, but England’s grit and determination dragged them to a shootout where they came up short, failing to convert three of their four spot-kicks as Chloe Kelly fired England to victory.
“I think this team deserved more. I think we worked hard for a long time to reach this moment, to reach this final against a high-level national team as an event and what we saw in the game makes me think that the team deserved it,” Tome told a media conference.
“This is a sport, you must know how to lose, and today we missed the penalties.”
Spain manager Montse Tome reacts after defeat (Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Lawrence Ostlere27 July 2025 21:59
England only had one key trait over Spain – but it led them to Euro 2025 glory
Here’s our chief football writer, Miguel Delaney, writing from the stadium in Basel:
History repeated, once as another triumph, twice with force. Chloe Kelly again decided the European Championship for England, this time with a penalty of such ferocity that it fittingly reflected the fight and spirit of this team.
It was proper grit, proper character… Yes, proper England, who remain European champions. Sarina Wiegman’s side produced another miracle in this tournament, as she claimed a third successive winners’ medal in the competition.
These are all historic feats in themselves, but they are elevated by the manner of this glory. It went to even deeper wells of resolve than Kelly winning it in extra time at Wembley against Germany three years ago. And to manage that against this world champion Spanish side, in this way, is the best illustration of this team’s spirit. It shouldn’t really have been possible given how they went behind.
Lawrence Ostlere27 July 2025 21:49
Once this victory sinks in, attention will soon turn to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil! That’s just the way it is in football…
That tournament takes place between 24 June and 25 July.
Chris Wilson27 July 2025 21:20
Will England have a trophy parade after winning Euro 2025?
England defeated Spain in dramatic fashion after Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty secured Women’s Euro 2025 glory and now they will prepare for a parade in London.
The Lionesses will show off their trophy on Tuesday 29 July after leaning on goalkeeper Hannah Hampton during the shootout, with the Chelsea shot-stopper thriving to deny Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati, while Salma Paralluelo missed the target completely.
Sarina Wiegman’s side, playing their third successive major final, rallied after an early setback in the first half at St Jakob Park.
Chris Wilson27 July 2025 21:10
Why Beth Mead had to retake her penalty in England’s dramatic Euro 2025 shootout win over Spain
Beth Mead was forced to retake England’s first penalty in their dramatic Euro 2025 final shootout with Spain due to the new double-touch rule.
The second-half substitute was nominated as England’s first penalty taker, and duly fired the ball down the middle of Spain goalkeeper Catalina Coll’s goal. But Mead had clearly kicked the ball twice, hitting it against her standing foot as her boot slipped on the grass, and replays confirmed what referee Stephanie Frappart suspected.
Kicking the ball twice is not allowed from the penalty spot and previously that would have meant Mead’s goal being immediately chakled off.
Chris Wilson27 July 2025 20:59
Today was Lucy Bronze’s 36th appearance at a major tournament for England.
“I have actually played the whole tournament with a fractured tibia, and then I have hurt my knee on my other leg,” she tells the BBC.
On ITV, she adds: “We’ve seen it all, even with Beth re-taking the first one [penalty].
“We didn’t do it the easy way, but we always believed in ourselves and it showed.
“It’s so different, last Euros we played fantastic, this one we showed a different side, a fight, a resilience,” she adds.
“We were reigning champions but we were fresh faced. It’s an amazing achievement, but we never doubted ourselves.
“It’s just…I don’t think I can put it into words. I’m so proud of playing for England, I’d do anything for this team to win.
“There’s nothing I can say to express the feeling I have.
“We’ve inspired the nation in a different way,” she adds as she finishes.
Chris Wilson27 July 2025 20:50