The scene was set on a sunny night back in July. 34,000 fans filed into St Jakob Park anticipating an intense clash between two international heavyweights of women’s football- England and Spain. Both sides had everything to gain from the upcoming match, but it was the Lionesses who would be declared the champions on penalties, marking their second European Championship victory in a row. Hollie Lawson reports.
The Lionesses’ journey to the final had been an inevitably difficult one. Their disheartening 2-1 defeat against France in their opening match had fans feeling doubtful over the squad’s ability; never had a women’s team lost their opening match and then gone on to win the championship.
An unwavering optimism has long characterised the Lionesses, and they claimed victory in each of their subsequent matches and secured their spot in the finals for the second tournament in a row. The upcoming match was not only an opportunity to defend their European title, but also to redeem themselves after their loss against Spain in the 2023 World Cup Final.
Equally, the pressure was on for the Spanish, whose last victory had been overshadowed by a sexism scandal involving Luis Rubiales, former Spanish Football Federation president. Another victory against England would allow them to truly indulge in the fruits of their labour, without the burden of tainted memories.
The opening line-up saw Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman making only one change from their semi-final match just five days prior, replacing Esme Morgan with Jess Carter in defence. Carter had been integral to the Lionesses’ progression this tournament, featuring in the starting line-up for every match up until the game against Italy- providing the experience necessary to maintain a strong defensive line alongside Bronze, Williamson and Greenwood.
On the other hand, Montse Tome made two changes to the starting line-up which beat Germany in the semi-final only a few days prior, with Aleixandri returning to the starting eleven in place of Mendez following her suspension. As well as this, Del Castillo was named in place of Pina, marking her second start of the tournament and bearing harshly on Pina.
Kick Off
The match was eventually kicked off by the Lionesses. Bluntly, England were simply unable to manoeuvre around the Spanish, who capitalised on their numerical advantage in the midfield to prevent the ball from reaching the final third.
England were the first to test though, with a shot on target from Russo being palmed away by Cata Coll to which James just couldn’t make the rebounded shot.
An opportunity for the Spanish came not long after, when Gonzalez navigated around Carter to receive the ball from Carmona, taking a shot which Hampton remained firm and made the save.
A chance for England came back around when a pass from Cata Coll to Aleixandri was intercepted by Hemp. The winger took a point blank shot, but the keeper was quick to respond with her outstretched leg blocking it well.
The Lionesses were continuously failing to capitalise on opportunities, but they only appeared to feel remorseful when the Spanish eventually claimed their moment of glory. A cross from Ona Batlle flew over the two English centre backs and met Cardentey, who headed it over Bronze and into the back of the net to give Spain a deserved advantage. With her second goal of the European Championships, the Arsenal superstar was certainly living up to her “Player of the Year” title.
With Cardentey putting Spain at a one goal advantage, it was crucial that they maintained their momentum for the rest of the game. To get comfortable now would be to play into the hands of the Lionesses who, watching the Spanish celebrations unfold, looked more determined than ever.
The first substitution was made only a few minutes before half time and Chloe Kelly was brought on for Lauren James, who had suffered an injury.
With not long left until the whistle, Kelly drove England forward, working to create an opportunity for the Lionesses. In the last minute she managed to deliver a low cross to Toone, who was well positioned for a shot, but she was too lost amongst the red shirts to contact the ball.
They were behind a goal when half time was finally called, but England fans had seen this before, and they retained faith. With Chloe Kelly’s fresh presence igniting a newfound sense of perseverance amongst the team, all was not lost for England.
Second Half
Going into the second half neither team made any changes, and so it began just as the first half did. Hampton was put to work twice in the first five minutes by Caldentey, but unfortunately for the midfielder, she couldn’t convert.
The lack of opportunities was like fuel for the ever-hungry Chloe Kelly, and it was in the 56th minute she managed to deliver a perfect cross to Russo, who struck a beautiful header that Aleixandri just couldn’t prevent. Kelly had immediately made the difference for England, and the fans in red and white felt silverware become that bit more tangible.
The game continued in the same pendulum fashion; Kelly continued to push her teammates towards the box in the hopes of creating another opportunity, but the cluster of Spanish shirts denied any looking for the Lionesses.
In the 70th minute, two substitutions were made; Russo came off for youngster Agyemang, and Putellas was replaced with Pina.
The Spanish sub attempted to make her mark on the match quickly by receiving the ball and lining up a shot, but Bronze did well to kill off the chance and allow an easy save for Hampton.
In the final minutes of the second half, with added time becoming inevitable, both teams needed some fresh energy; Toon was subbed on for Mead, and both Paralluelo and Lopez were subbed on for Spain.
The whistle blew, and an atmosphere of trepidation settled over the stadium. Neither side wanted a penalty shootout, and the next thirty minutes meant everything for both teams to kill the nerves that loomed just thirty minutes away.
Extra Time
As extra time began, the Lionesses looked surprisingly demoralised. They had clearly grown weary, unable to break down the barrier of red shirts pushing them back, and were increasingly giving away the ball. The freshly subbed Paralluelo, however, was keen to make a difference for Spain, having spent most of the game on the bench.
Paralluelo took her first chance just before the half time whistle blew, receiving the ball from Batlle and attempting to flick it over Hampton’s head- yet the Chelsea keeper saw it coming.
A limping Bronze was finally taken off in preparation for the second half of added time, replaced with Niamh Charles. She had been essential to England’s progression to the final, and it was heartbreak to both her and her fans for her absence in the looming shootout.
Paralluelo claimed her second opportunity of the game only five minutes after the whistle blew. She received the ball from outside the box and attempted to make a shot, failing yet again to time it properly. England’s defence, however, got away with one; they were lucky this time.
It came as no shock as the game went to a penalty shootout. Both teams were shattered, but after a final team talk, and the stadium fuelled with anxiety and excitement, they were ready for their fate.
Penalties
England struck first with Beth Mead. She ran forward to strike the ball, aiming for the centre of the net, but slipped and fell upon contact. The ball made it in past Cata Coll, but celebrations were short after a VAR check established that Mead had touched the ball twice. A retake was necessary.
For the second time, Mead retreated and prepared for her penalty. She ran up, striking the ball to her left, but Cata Coll was quick to jump in and push it away. England’s first penalty was a miss.
Spain was up next, their first taker being Guijarro. She took her shot, aiming slightly to her right, and slotting agonisingly past Hampton. A sucker punch for England, but there was still hope.
Greenwood was up next for England, and she powered the ball into the right side of the net despite Cata Coll’s correct prediction. The scores were now level.
Next for Spain was Caldentey. She ran in and hit right but Hampton dove in the right direction of the ball to make the save. What may have been a lucky guess meant the Lionesses were now equal.
Charles, who was brought in as a substitute, was next for England. She powered it into the left corner of the net, completely missing Cata Coll who went in the opposite direction. England, leading.
Aitana was the next Spanish taker. There was pressure on the midfielder to equalise with England, but she remained focused and played a shot into the left of the net. Unfortunately for her, Hampton was there to prevent it and the arias had shifted monumentally.
England were now in the prime position to lift the trophy, and their nerves were palpable. As Williamson walked on to take the next penalty, her determination was evident across her face. Cata Coll, however, was equally determined, and she met the captain’s shot by pushing it away with her right hand.
Paralluelo was up and the pressure was mounting; if she didn’t make her shot, Spain were more or less out of it. She struck the ball hard towards the right side of the net and it went wide- a heart-breaking moment for the youngster.
This was England’s golden opportunity. If they made this goal, they had won the European Championship for the second time in a row. Chloe Kelly was up, and as she approached the ball- the stadium fell quiet. Everyone was holding their breath. She took a step back and lunged forward. Her shot sailed inside the left of the net, and Cata Coll was just too low to push it away. England, had gone and won it.
The crowd erupted. Tears, celebrations, anguish, monumental joy- the field was ambivalent with raw passion and emotion.
Although there was little doubt in the Lionesses’ ranks, it had been a tight game that had not provided a moment of relief for England fans. It was clear on all their faces how much this win meant to them, but particularly for Chloe Kelly.
Despite remaining incredibly composed throughout the tournament, the Arsenal winger was understandably reduced to tears after doing it once more for her country.
In a post-match interview for Sky Sports, Kelly made her feelings, her passion, known for the world to see.
“I’m so proud of this team, so grateful to wear this badge, and I’m proud to be English.”
So there it was. Another win for the Lionesses. Another win for women. Another win for England.
