It seems that the Lionesses favour a very particular type of Euros final triumph: terrifying and nerve-shredding.
Fans once again held their breath as Spain and England battled to break their deadlock after Alessia Russo cancelled out Mariona Caldentey’s first-half opener.
Despite England being the better side for chunks of the second half and Spain dominating the additional period, the final went down to a penalty shootout.
England captain Leah Williamson and Arsenal teammate Beth Mead’s shots were saved by Cata Coll, but Hannah Hampton matched her opposite number by denying Caldentey and Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati.
Alex Greenwood and Niamh Charles converted in between Mead and Williamson’s misses, and Salma Paralluelo dragging wide gave Chloe Kelly the chance to retain the title her winning goal secured against Germany at Wembley three years ago.
Lionnesses hero Kelly made no mistake, lashing into the net from her unique run-up, proving to be her country’s clutch hero once again.
Although it was in no way perfect, and was in many ways utterly excrutiating to watch, the girls had done it once again, and reclaimed their place once more as the team to watch going forward, with all eyes now looking to the 2027 World Cup.
MORE: England vs. Spain score: Euro 2025 final result, stats as Lionesses retain title after penalties epic
Can England win 2027 Women’s World Cup?
It is undeniable that England are enjoying the fruits of a golden age, with two consecutive European titles under their belt, three straight major tournament finals and the chance to prove their might again in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
And it is fair to say that they have a real chance of lifting that trophy, the same one that got away from them by such a small margin against familiar foes in 2023.
Despite being beaten 1-0 by Spain in the World Cup final in Sydney, England’s shootout victory against them in Basel was not only been sweet revenge, but also evidence that the Lionesses are still up there fighting amongst the very best.
A great team will understandably feel they have more road left to travel. Hosts Brazil, four-time winners the United States and continental rivals Spain and Germany are all likely to have plenty to say in response.
Roll on Brazil 2027 for Wiegman and the Lionesses.
MORE: Chloe Kelly career redemption: How star became England Lionesses’ hero again after Euro 2022 heroics and Man City struggles
Has Sarina Wiegman ever won the World Cup?
It is impossible to discuss the Lionesses’ success without speaking of the impact of coach Sarina Wiegman. Winning consecutive Euros winners is a far cry from the team that the Lionesses were a mere four years ago: one that had never won a major tournament trophy, a team that had only reached the semifinals of the Euros once in 2017, a team lacking in silverware, support and a sense of fight.
The winners of Euro 2017? Sarina Wiegman’s Netherlands team, who then plotted a path to the 2019 World Cup final and an eventual 2-0 defeat to the United States.
The Football Association annoounced Weigman’s appointment in August 2020, with her tenure beginning the following September. The run to Euros glory on home soil in 2022 was part of an incredble 30-game unbeaten run that underscored the Dutch tactician’s transformative impact.
But although Wiegman’s tactics have paid off thus far, she has faced growing scrutiny and criticism since the 2023 World Cup. For England’s next tilt at the biggest prize, they will have to evolve. Questions have been swirling about perceived inflexibility when it comes to tournament selections, something that’s probably here to stay after Lucy Bronze’s incredible revelation that the played all of Euro 2025 as England’s starting right-back with a fractured tibia.
Lauren James had fitness concerns before the competition began, yet Wiegman consistently started the Chelsea star before she withdrew from the final during the first half. Georgia Stanway was a similar case in terms of a lack of football pre-tournament and being a selection lock in midfield.
Not only do these decisions spark queries around Wiegman’s consistent use of firm favorites, but also the reasons behind her refusal to start consistently impressive players like subtitutes Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang, the teenage striker who was named Young Player of the Tournament.
Wiegman’s favourites also happen to be some of the more mature of the squad. Legendary figures like Bronze, Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo will be 35, 30 and 28 respectively by the time the World Cup rolls around. And although this by no means signifies the end of their careers, it underlines Wiegman’s need to invest and trust in the next generation of Lionesses.
Undeniably, this is partially in progress. A wild card before this tournament, Agyemang has quickly established herself as not only a super sub, but a tide-changing influence on the pitch, consistently scoring game-changing goals in the very last minutes. Similarly, Mary Earps’s successor Hannah Hampton has proved her mettle time and again, not least in the shootout wins over Sweden and Spain.
And although seven of her 23-player squad went to their first international competition at the Euros, of those only Agyemang had any significant game time – proving that Wiegman has a way to go to trust the more youthful, exciting but untried portion of her squad.
She will have to find this trust, and the foresight and adaptability to be able to bring a fresh set of Lionesses into the fold, replacing some of her ever trustworthy but aging first choices, will give Wiegman the best chance of brining home the prize that has eluded her in the past two World Cup finals.
