Chloe Kelly was the hero again as England retained their European Championship crown with a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Spain, netting the winning spot-kick after a 1-1 draw in Basel.

Kelly's Arsenal team-mates Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo both scored headers in normal time, and though world champions Spain pushed for a winner in the additional period, they were unable to prevent a shoot-out.

Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati and Salma Paralluelo were all unsuccessful for Spain, with Hannah Hampton standing tall in England’s goal.

That gave Kelly, who scored the winning goal against Germany in the Euro 2022 final, the chance to seal victory, and she fired home to secure back-to-back titles for the Lionesses.

England were made to regret a big miss from Lauren Hemp when Spain took the lead in the 25th minute. Athenea del Castillo turned inside the box before threading a pass through to Ona Batlle, whose cross was headed into the top-right corner by Caldentey.

The Lionesses saw Lauren James hobble off late in the first half, but her replacement Kelly created their equaliser in the 57th minute, supplying a wonderful cross for Russo to nod home.

Paralluelo missed three great chances to avoid the shoot-out, which started in dramatic fashion as Beth Mead's successful kick was called back for a double touch, with the retake saved by Cata Coll.

Hampton then stopped efforts from Caldentey and Bonmati, and though England captain Leah Williamson was denied by Coll, Paralluelo's wayward attempt allowed Kelly to have the final say with a blistering finish.

Data Debrief: Comeback Queens

England are back-to-back European champions, while Sarina Wiegman is just the third manager to win the tournament three times, after Gero Bisanz (1989, 1991, 1995) and Tina Theune (1997, 2001, 2005). The Dutchwoman has now won the last three editions of the competition.

They had to do it the hard way, however, having fallen behind for the third straight knockout game. Indeed, England became the first ever side to win the Euros after losing their opening group-stage match, too.

Russo stepped up when the Lionesses needed her, scoring her ninth major tournament goal (four at Euro 2022, three at the 2023 World Cup and two at Euro 2025). Only Ellen White, with 10, has more for England.

It was Kelly who supplied the assist, the 10th goal involvement by England substitutes at Euro 2025 (five goals, five assists) – the most on record (since 2013) at a single edition of the women's Euros.

At a tournament where England's substitutes have repeatedly dragged them to victory, it was fitting that Kelly made the final contribution in the shoot-out.