Lionesses beat Spain in gripping shootout after 120-minute standoff in repeat of 2023 World Cup final
England’s Lionesses are queens of Europe again—this time with nerves of steel and a hunger that wouldn’t quit.
Georgia Stanway and her teammates held their ground through 120 tense minutes before edging past Spain 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win the UEFA Women’s European Championship. It’s the second major trophy in England’s women’s football history—and it comes just two years after their euphoric 2022 triumph on home soil.
Stanway calls it ‘indescribable’ as England defend title
As soon as the final whistle blew, you could see it on her face: relief, exhaustion, disbelief. Georgia Stanway dropped to her knees.
“This tournament has asked everything of us,” she said after the match, “and exceeded anything we’ve ever experienced. An indescribable feeling.”
The Bayern Munich midfielder was everywhere—tracking back, pushing forward, and stepping up in the shootout.
England had to claw their way back after conceding first. They’d done it before. But this one felt different. The moment was heavier. Spain were sharp, fluid, and relentless in possession.
Still, England found a way. Again.
A tough first half and a Spanish opener
The match began with a pace that could rattle even seasoned fans. In just the 9th minute, England captain Leah Williamson found Alexia Russo with a perfectly timed through ball, but Spanish keeper Cata Coll stood tall.
Stanway herself had a shot from distance in the 14th—solid hit, but straight at Coll. Then came Lauren Hemp’s golden chance just minutes later. She latched onto a misplaced backpass and fired from a tight angle. It didn’t hit the target.
And then—Spain struck.
With pinpoint movement and crisp passing, the trio of Bonmatí, Athenea, and Batlle broke England’s backline wide open. Mariona Caldentey was at the right place at the right time, heading it in from six yards.
The Spanish momentum was hard to ignore.
For the rest of the half, they dictated the pace. England were on the ropes, hanging on for halftime.
Russo pulls England back into it
The turning point came not from a moment of brilliance—but from sheer persistence.
Just after the hour mark, Russo, who’d been battling Spanish defenders all night, found herself with a sliver of space. Hemp fed her the ball, and the striker didn’t waste it.
Then came the chess match. Both coaches made changes. Neither side took risky chances. It was all measured. Careful. Nerve-wracking.
Extra time was cagey, with only half-chances and tired legs on display. Then came the dreaded penalties.
Penalty shootout nerves—and glory
If you’re reading this and weren’t sweating during that shootout… were you even watching?
Here’s how it went down:
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Spain missed their opening penalty—sky-high.
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Stanway stepped up for England and buried hers, low and left.
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Spain scored one, missed another.
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England kept cool. Greenwood converted. Then Toone.
And then—Spain missed again.
It was over. 3-1. England, once again, were champions of Europe.
Match stats and shootout summary
For those into the numbers, here’s how the match and penalties shaped up:
| Key Stats | England | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (90+ET) | 1 | 1 |
| Shots (on target) | 10 (4) | 13 (6) |
| Possession | 43% | 57% |
| Pass accuracy | 77% | 85% |
| Corners | 5 | 6 |
| Penalties Scored | 3 | 1 |
England’s mental strength at the spot was unmatched.
Stanway’s rise from Barrow to European legend
For Stanway, this is the culmination of years of gritty work. From the muddy pitches of Barrow-in-Furness to FC Bayern and now a second European crown, her story resonates with fans across England.
She’s not flashy. She’s not loud. But she gets the job done.
“She’s the heartbeat,” said teammate Keira Walsh after the match. “She runs the midfield and never switches off.”
At 25, she’s already a veteran.
What this win means for England
This wasn’t just a win—it was a message.
England aren’t one-hit wonders. They’re here to stay. After their World Cup heartbreak in 2023, questions were raised about their ability to bounce back.
They’ve answered, and then some.
With players like Stanway, Russo, Hemp, and Williamson in their prime, this team might be building a dynasty.
One sentence, just to breathe—
And England fans? They’re not ready to come down from this high.
