In what was an iconic evening from Basel, England cemented their spot in the history books as they successfully defended their European crown thanks to a famous penalty shootout victory against Spain.
Having to mount a pair of remarkable knockout stage comebacks over the past 10 days, the Lionesses once again had to come from behind as Mariona Caldentey opened the scoring midway through the first-half.
However, gaining a reputation for their never die attitude this summer, the Lionesses dragged themselves level 12 minutes after the interval as Alessia Russo headed home from a delicious Chloe Kelly cross.
Forced to show some real heart as they survived a late wave of Spanish pressure, England were forced to put themselves through more spot-kick drama.
Watching Chelsea shot-stopper Hannah Hampton produce a pair of sublime stops under the most intense pressure, it was almost written in the stars that Kelly would be the women to fire England to the history books.
With the Arsenal ace cooly converting and sparking emotional scenes, this England squad have only continued to shatter a string of records this summer.
As for Spain, falling short at the final hurdle and suffering infamous heartbreak here, La Roja opened this summer’s tournament regarded as a runaway title contender and they missed out on the chance to write their own piece of history.
Securing their maiden World Cup crown out in Australia two years ago as they claimed a 1-0 victory against the Lionesses, Spain were moments away from becoming just the third nation in history to hold both the world and European titles at the same time.
On a night when Wiegman’s camp became the first English team to win a piece of international silverware on foreign soil, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Basel.
England cement their place in history
Getting the defence of their European crown underway with a 2-1 loss against France on July 5th, it is fair to say that England had rode their luck for large spells en route to Sunday’s showpiece event in Basel.
Mounting a pair of remarkable last-gasp knockout stage comebacks against Italy and Sweden over the past 10 days, Wiegman’s side were desperately searching for top gear over in Switzerland this summer.
Nevertheless, while the Lionesses might have astonishingly led their three knockout stage appearances for just a combined total of four minutes, England showed a tremendous amount of heart and they wrote themselves into the history books here.
Becoming the first England team in history to win a piece of silverware on foreign soil, Sunday’s iconic evening in Basel also means that Wiegman becomes the first manager to claim three consecutive European crowns.
Gaining the hearts of the nation thanks to their never die attitude under the former Netherlands boss, the Lionesses will receive a heroes reception when they return as modern era icons.
The summer of Kelly
While Kelly might not have started a single game over in Switzerland this summer, the 27-year-old has certainly been the poster girl of England’s record-breaking squad.
Converting from the spot here and firing England to a second European crown in Basel, it was only earlier in the year that Kelly was outside of Wiegman’s plans and her spot in the Dutch tacticians squad was looking doubtful.
However, helping Arsenal to Champions League success back in May and clearly falling back in love with the game, England’s attacking talisman has embarked on a rise to superstardom over the past fortnight.
Replacing the injured Lauren James just moments before the half-time break, Kelly’s introduction changed thinks and it was her whipped cross that picked out Alessia Russo for England’s equaliser.
Making her move to Arsenal a permanent one before this summer’s tournament, Kelly rightfully cut an emotional figure at the full-time whistle and will be wondering how different things could have been just a mater of months ago.
Heartbreak for La Roja
Clinching their maiden World Cup crown thanks to a 1-0 victory against the Lionesses over in Australia two years ago, Spain almost universally opened this summer’s tournament pencilled in as a landslide title contender.
Embarking on what has been a record-breaking silverware sweep over the past 24 months, Montserrat Tome’s side boasted a squad that was glittering with multiple time Ballon d’Or winners.
Landing a 2-1 Nations League win when they welcomed England to Catalonia last month, there were some across the continent who believed that La Roja were simply an unbeatable outfit.
Getting their summer adventure underway with a 5-0 romp against Portugal on July 3rd and winning all of their three group stage appearances by an aggregate score of 14-3, Spain had rightfully gained a fearsome reputation.
Nevertheless, falling at the final hurdle here in what was their first appearance in a European final, a silver medal finish will not be seen as any kind of consolation.
Match Report
England: Hampton, Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood, Walsh, Stanway, Hemp, Toone, James, Russo
Subs: Kelly, Mead, Agyeman, Clinton, Charles
Spain: Coll, Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona, Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas, del Castillo, Gonzalez, Caldentey
Subs: Ouahabi, Pina, Paralluelo, Lopez
Goals: England: Russo (57’) – Spain: Caldentey (25’)
Yellow Cards: Hemp, Russo, Bronze
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Maria Ferrieri Caputi
