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The lion women defeated Spain in a dramatic penalty shot to maintain their European championship title.
Chloe Kelly, who achieved the winner in the Euro 2022, was the hero again when she converted the winner kick after Hannah Hampton saved both Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey.
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This English team has opposed the majority of this tournament of logic. They should have ended in the quarter -finals, they almost did it in the semi -finals. When Spain took the lead, it was difficult to see it again from behind.
But the lion women always find a way. Alessia Russo was in the 57th minute and from there England had to drive his luck. It was the wall for a large part of the second half and the following extension. The penalty shot was also anything but perfect, with both Beth Mead and Leah Williamson missed their spots kicks. But Hampton saved twice while Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles and Kelly scored theirs.
Spain had dominated the possession and took the lead with a well -edited goal in the 25th minute. Georgia Stanway and Lauren James could not deal with Aitana Bonmati and Ona Batlle on the right wing, while bronze came in and Caldentey was caught with a free watch with a ball watching.
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There were doubts about the fitness of Lauren James after the striker had been dropped with an ankle injury during the semi -finals. James was suitable to start, but did not look comfortable and looked at the bench several times in the course of the first half. In the 40th minute she could not continue and was replaced by Kelly.
England started the second half much better than the first and was rewarded when Kelly’s excellent cross looked Russo, who sent a perfectly weighted header into the upper left corner.
Kelly forced Coll to be a good rescue when the lionesses searched for a second goal.
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No team was able to find a winning goal before the full -time pipe blew when England went on the way to extension for a third game in a row.
Salma Paralluelo should have brought Spain in the lead at the end of the first half of the extension, but could not connect to Batll’s Cross.
Bronze was discontinued with a knee injury at halftime. The defender had continued as long as she could, but the field in tears, and Niamh Charles replaced her.
England endured despite constant pressure from Spain.
Beth Mead appeared for England in the first place, but had to take her punishment again due to a double touch, and Coll saved her second attempt. Patri Guijarro scored to Spain before Alex Greenwood converted for England. Hampton then saved from Caldentey. Charles then hit. Hampton then saved Aitana Bonmati, but Coll then endured Leah Williamson’s efforts. Paralluelo then brought her penalty far and gave Kelly the chance to win her. She did it stylish.
