Where it all went wrong for Spain in Euro 2025 final

Failure to adapt and react cost the world champions against England

Aitana Bonmati and Mariona Caldentey watch on as England celebrate winning Euro 2025. Credit: Getty Images

The summer of football concluded with England successfully defending their crown against Spain. The Lionesses managed to heal some Spain inflicted wounds from the 2023 World Cup final.

Both teams made some tactical decisions in the starting lineup. For Spain, Athenea del Castillo was favoured in place of Claudia Pina. Sarina Wiegman decided to start Jess Carter and Lauren James in her starting lineup. The latter could not continue beyond 40 minutes and had to be replaced by Chloe Kelly.

Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring with a header in the 25th minute. England equalised via a thumping header from Alessia Russo in the 57th minute. Spain came close in extra time but were denied by Hannah Hampton’s brilliance to push the game to penalties. The Chelsea goalkeeper saved two penalties before Kelly stepped up to successfully defend England’s European crown.

Wiegman’s tactical nous took centre stage again as her in-game changes gave England certain micro-advantages in the middle of the park. This allowed the key players, like Keira Walsh, to get time on the ball and thus pick apart the Spanish block. This alongside a mammoth defensive effort from the centre backs helped England get over the line.