🔝 Three earn top marks: Player ratings for English final heroines | OneFootball

What a finale! The English women’s national team defended their European Championship title today after a nerve-wracking 3-1 win in the penalty shootout. It wasn’t a display of dazzling football, but a feat of strength—marked by duels, tactical discipline, and mental fortitude. The heroine of the evening was goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who became the celebrated match-winner with two saved penalties. But other players also stood out—while some fell short of expectations.

🧤 Hannah Hampton (Grade: 1+)

Goalkeeper – Match-winner in the penalty shootout. Hampton was already very alert during regular time, but her finest hour came in the shootout. With two saved penalties against Bonmatí and Mariona, she became the heroine of the night. Her body language was calm and confident—a true leader between the posts.

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🛡️ Lucy Bronze (Grade: 2)

Right-back – experienced and stable. The record national player didn’t shine spectacularly, but she was present in every phase of the game. Bronze won important duels, brought calm and experience to the game, and occasionally supported the attack. A typical “veteran’s performance” at a high level.

🧱 Jess Carter (Grade: 2‑)

Carter brought stability, physical presence, and concentration to the defense from the start—exactly what England needed in this tight final. No spectacular moments, but a reliable performance that stabilized the backbone.

🧠 Leah Williamson (Grade: 2-)

Centre-back and captain – leader. She organized the backline with great vision. Usually secure in building up play, though not creative. Her presence was important for morale—vocally strong, mentally tough. A solid, if unspectacular, final.

🧱 Alex Greenwood (Grade: 2-)

Centre-back – calm and secure. Greenwood allowed little, distributed balls with vision from the back, and kept her nerve in the penalty shootout. No outstanding actions, but a consistently reliable performance.

🎩 Keira Walsh (Grade: 2- to 3+)

Central midfielder – under pressure. Walsh was heavily pressed by Spain and therefore had less influence than usual. She solved many situations cleverly but wasn’t the dominant playmaker she usually is. Her defensive work was still important.

⚙️ Georgia Stanway (Grade: 3)

Box-to-box player – committed, but without breakthrough. Stanway ran a lot, was present in pressing, and looked for shots, but could hardly structure the attack. Her determination was clear, but precision was lacking. An okay performance, but not decisive.

🎭 Ella Toone (Grade: 3-)

Attacking midfield – little influence. Toone worked hard off the ball but hardly made an impact offensively. Her passes were rarely creative, and the connection between midfield and attack remained thin. Not a bad, but an inconspicuous performance.

🧨 Lauren Hemp (Grade: 3-)

Winger – tried hard, but ineffective. Hemp looked for dribbles but was mostly stopped by the Spanish defense. Her pace was rarely exploited, as passes came too late or she seemed isolated. Lots of running, little reward.

🎯 Alessia Russo (Grade: 1-)

Striker – goalscorer and constant troublemaker. Russo scored the crucial equalizer with a header and was always dangerous beyond that. Her runs were on point, she worked off the ball, and was one of the few who regularly looked for breakthroughs in the box. Mentally strong and present at decisive moments.

🌀 Lauren James (Grade: 4-)

Attacker – unlucky performance. James started on the left wing but didn’t look fit or fresh. She never got into the game, lost several balls, and had to be substituted due to injury. Unfortunately, she couldn’t show her potential in this final.

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⚡ Michelle Agyemang (Grade: 2+)

The young Arsenal attacker came on as a super-sub to add depth and penetration—and impressively justified the trust. Agyemang immediately brought fresh energy, challenging the Spanish defense with pace and determination.

🧠 Grace Clinton (Grade: 3+)

Clinton came on in extra time for added control and fresh legs in midfield. She played inconspicuously but with discipline. With clear passing and tactical awareness, she helped keep the center tight against Spain’s late attacking efforts.

🏃‍♀️ Niamh Charles (Grade: 2-)

Left-back – stable and disciplined. Charles had to deal with the agile Salma Paralluelo on her side but held her own very well. She played without risk, made hardly any defensive mistakes, and was secure in her passing. Stayed cool during the penalty shootout.

⚡ Chloe Kelly (Grade: 1)

Substitute – gamechanger. Kelly came on for the injured James and made a maximum impact: she assisted the 1-1 equalizer with a cross, was very active on the right wing, and confidently converted the decisive penalty. Just like in the 2022 Euro final against Germany: a player for big moments.

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🏹 Beth Mead (Grade: 4)

Winger – disappointing. Mead was almost invisible in the game. Her runs were without the ball, her crosses often found the opponent. She seemed inhibited, played without confidence. A weak final for the Arsenal player.

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Conclusion: England is not only European Champion—but also a prime example of how team spirit, resilience, and individual class at the right moment can crown a tournament.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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