‘A defensive performance for the ages’ – Lionesses react to winning Euros title on penalties | OneFootball

England overcame Spain on penalties to retain their European Championship title in Switzerland, after Hannah Hampton saved two penalties in the shootout.

A strong defensive performance saw the Lionesses hold the World Champions to a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, but they sought their revenge on their World Cup loss from two years ago.

The backline of Jess Carter, Leah Williamson, Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze held strong for Sarina Wiegman’s side, while Hampton stepped up in the penalty shootout when it mattered most – even saving a penalty from two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.

“I don’t think about who [the penalty] is from,” Hampton said. “I just think the girls have run around for 120 minutes, the least I can do is save a couple of penalties to help them out and get the result we needed. To be able to say that I’ve done my part for the team is a lovely moment.

“Women goalkeepers have always had a lot of scrutiny on us but this tournament, we have proved the doubters and the hate wrong. Goalkeeper is now seen as a position that is a force to be reckoned with and it’s going to be hard for strikers and for teams in the future to get the ball in the back of the net.”

Williamson lifted the European trophy for the second time leading her team in a tournament, but insisted that the team effort meant much more than personal accolades.

“Today required a defensive performance for the ages,” the England captain said. “And I think thats what we all did, we stuck together and the girls delivered on the other end.

“What everybody just did – we are the first 23 to bring a trophy home from foreign soil so I am so happy and I feel very blessed to be part of this team and this generation.

“All of us will be leading the celebrations – everybody has pulled their weight for the tournament, they’re going to pull it tonight as well!”

Carter has had a tough campaign, with her being the first to be self-critical of some of her performances earlier in the tournament.

She was subject to horrific racist abuse, which led her to take a break from social media and put a powerful statement out calling for change.

“For me, before today I have felt hesitant and second guessed my performances,” Carter said. “But today I felt no matter what, my team have my back.

“I can’t shout out my team enough because without them I don’t think I would have made it through to the end of the tournament. They have been incredible and I feel so grateful to play with them.

“We are here to do a job, we are here to win trophies and that’s what we ultimately achieved today and we have just proved everyone wrong.

“It’s not only the hate I have received, it’s the hate the whole team have received. I don’t know why – we bring trophies back to England and yet we get disrespected more and more and today we showed everyone just what we are capable of and will continue doing going forward.”