England hero Chloe Kelly criticised by Spanish media for ‘unnecessary’ and ‘cocky’ celebration | OneFootball

Kelly accused of goading Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll after smashing home her winning penalty for the Lionesses in the Euro 2025 final

Chloe Kelly has been criticised by Spanish media for her “unnecessary” and “cocky” celebration after scoring the winning penalty for the Lionesses in the Euro 2025 final

Three years after scoring the winner in the Euro 2022 final, Kelly wrote her name in history again as the Lionesses became the first senior English team to win a trophy on foreign soil.

It was a special moment for Kelly, who wanted to give up football at the start of the year after a toxic fall-out with Manchester City before she joined Arsenal in January.

Kelly beat Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll from the spot

AFP via Getty Images

But Spanish media have hit out at the Arsenal star for celebrating her penalty in front of Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll.

Spanish outlet Diario AS say Kelly purposely ran towards Coll after scoring her penalty.

In a comment with a video clip of the winning moment, they wrote: “This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly’s cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty.

“The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten.”

Kelly was arguably the player of the tournament as the Lionesses defended their Euros crown

Getty Images

In their match report, Diaro AS claimed England “robbed” Spain as the Lionesses got revenge for their defeat against La Roja in the World Cup final in 2023.

“The dream ends in a nightmare,” they said. “Spain lost the European Championship on penalties. England tied a match that Spain largely dominated.

“History is made by victories, and also by defeats. Spain fell in the European Cup final but left its name sealed in gold.

“England robbed them of their dream; the world champions couldn’t close the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney.”