Spain’s push for a first-ever UEFA Ladies’s European Championship title has resulted in penalty shootout heartbreak in Basel.
Montse Tome’s aspect stormed via to a last showdown with previous foes England in a repeat of the 2023 FIFA World Cup last.
Olga Carmona’s objective secured a primary world crown for Spain in Australia, however the roles had been reversed this time round in Switzerland, with England objective keeper Hannah Hampton the spot kick hero for the Lionesses.
Mariona Caldentey’s first half header put Spain in cruise management earlier than the break, however England confirmed their trademark resilience after the restart, as Alessia Russo fired the defending European champions stage simply earlier than the hour mark.
Sarina Wiegman’s aspect dug deep as the sport entered into additional time, as Hampton stored Spain’s stars at bay, to arrange a nerve shredding shootout.
Penalty distress for Spain as England maintain their nerve
The shootout successfully got here right down to the 2 objective keepers with Hampton and Cata Coll greedy their probability to shine.
Coll ensured a robust begin for Spain, because the Barcelona stopper preserve out Beth Mead’s retaken penalty, however Spain’s takers had been repelled by the unimaginable Hampton.
Patri Guijarro fired residence for Tome’s expenses earlier than England’s No.1 stored out Caldentey and double Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
Coll got here to the fore once more for Spain, as she stored out England captain Leah Williamson, however Salma Paralluelo dragged her penalty vast and Chloe Kelly hammered residence England’s clincher.
Defeat in a primary European last ends three successive quarter last exits for Spain however ideas now flip to the 2025 Nations League finals.
Tome’s group now have a three-month break earlier than an October semi last conflict with Sweden.
Spain gained the inaugural Nations League title in 2024, and if they’ll get previous Sweden, rivals Germany or France will await within the last in December.