England retain EURO crown with shootout victory over Spain | OneFootball

England have retained the UEFA Women’s EURO trophy after defeating Spain 3-1 on penalties in the final in Basel this evening.

It was Spain who struck first through Mariona Caldentey but Alessia Russo levelled matters for England early in the second half. No further goals were scored in the remainder of the tie as it ended 1-1 and the game was eventually decided on penalties. In the shootout, England held their nerve to record a 3-1 victory, securing the silverware for a second consecutive EUROs.

England started brightly and Russo forced an early save from Spain keeper Cata Coll with a low shot.

Spain responded and Hannah Hampton was required to make a big save to deny Esther González before the same player curled an effort wide.

Some uncharacteristic Spanish sloppiness at the back then presented Lauren Hemp with a chance but Coll was able to save the shot.

Mariona then fired wide from the edge of the box before she opened the scoring with a bullet header from an Ona Batlle cross.

Both sides had chances to add to the scoreline before the break but Keira Walsh hit a low shot wide for England before Esther sent a header off target for Spain.

Spain looked lively at the start of the second half but they struggled to severely test Hampton. They were made to rue a couple of missed chances when England levelled matters in the 57th minute. Substitute Chloe Kelly crossed for Russo to head home.

The goal gave England new life and Kelly saw a low shot kept out of the net by the finger tips of Coll a little over 20 minutes from time. Spain then created a big chance of their own but Hampton showed strong hands to prevent Clàudia Pina from finding the back of the net.

Both sides pushed hard for a winning goal but the scoreline ended 1-1 in normal time.

The first half of extra-time saw Spain look the more dangerous, Pina coming closest with a strike that flew wide. The one-way traffic continued in the second period of extra-time but Hampton largely remained untroubled.

In the shootout, England held their nerve to record a 3-1 victory and gain revenge on Spain for the FIFA Women’s World Cup final defeat two years’ ago.

England are UEFA Women’s EURO winners once again, three years on from their initial success.