Chloe Kelly affirms that her decisive points in the shootout against Spain in the 2025 European Cup final will hit the net.
Kelly scored against Germany in Wemely’s Euro 2022 victory, Kelly was once again the heroine of England as she drove home from 12 yards and the Lioness was unlikely to retain her title.
Sarina Wiegman’s side became the first England team to win a back-to-back tournament, and it looked unlikely when Mariona Caldentey led Spain in the 25th minute.
But Kelly, introduced by the injured Lauren James in the 40th minute, created magic moments in the 57th minute as her left-wing cross found Alessia Russo’s head, who restored equality and eventually forced time to double the time.
Despite losing Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway, England placed Spain in the bay for more than half an hour and remained calm in the gunfight.
Beth Mead missed England’s opening point after being judged to have accidentally kicked out two initially successful efforts. However, the Lioness recovered from setbacks, Hannah Hampton saved from Caldentey and tournament player Aitnana Bonmati, and then Salma parallelaulo fired, allowing Kelly to strengthen and secure England’s glory.
Kelly missed the free throw in the semi-final against Italy, even though she followed up with the rebounding championship. But, this time, nothing is wrong.
“I’m proud of this team. I’m glad to wear this badge. I’m proud of English,” Kelly told BBC One.
“I’m cool, I’m written. I know I’m going to hit the net. I won’t miss two penalty kicks.
“Incredible. All the staff behind us and Sarina Wiegman – she did it again! Incredible.”
Wiegman now won three consecutive European titles, leading the Netherlands to the title in the homeland in 2017.
Their victory against Spain marked England’s third straight game, winning from the championship, with the Lionesses descending from 2-0, defeating Sweden by free throw in the quarter-finals before turning around Italy.
“We said we could win in any way, and that’s what we showed again today,” Wigman told BBC One. “I’m proud of the team and the staff. It’s incredible.
“I can’t believe it. I have a medal around my neck and we have a trophy.
“It’s the most chaotic game on the court – all the challenges we face on the opponent’s court.”
“It was chaos from the first game,” Wigman added in a tournament, with England initially beating France.
“It’s incredible to lose the first game and be a European champion. Football is chaos.”
