By edging out Spain in a penalty shootout in the European championship final, England’s women’s team cemented its position as the standard-bearer for English soccer.

Reaction as England successfully defend their European title with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Spain in Switzerland.

England, as has been the case for much of Euro 2025, were not at their best in this final - but somehow they found a way to win. Spain were technically the superior side. Their attempted passes were over 750 and nearly doubled that of England’s. They had 22 shots to England’s eight.