Honestly, if you weren't in Basel on July 27, you missed the moment European football officially shifted its axis. St. Jakob-Park was humming. Not just loud—vibrating. People expected a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final, a technical chess match where Spain would simply starve England of the ball until the Lionesses folded.
But football is rarely that predictable. Especially not this one.
The Euro women’s final 2025 wasn't just another trophy presentation for the trophy cabinet. It was a 120-minute argument about who actually owns the "winning DNA" in the modern game. Spain came in as the reigning World Champions, looking to do the rare "double." England arrived as the defending Euro champions, desperate to prove that the Sarina Wiegman era wasn't a one-hit wonder.
The tactical trap that almost worked
Everyone knows Spain plays "Tiki-taka." It’s basically their brand. Mariona Caldentey’s opener in the 25th minute felt like the beginning of the end for England. She found a pocket of space that shouldn't have existed, slotting it home while the England defense looked like they were stuck in Swiss mud.
England looked rattled. For a solid twenty minutes, they couldn't string three passes together. You've seen this before—the Lionesses getting frustrated, Keira Walsh isolated, Lauren Hemp chasing ghosts on the wing.
Then came the second half.
👉 See also: Ohio State Football All White Uniforms: Why the Icy Look Always Sparks a Debate
Wiegman didn't panicking. She’s famously stoic, but you could see the gears turning. She pushed Alessia Russo higher, almost daring the Spanish center-backs to play out from the back. It worked. In the 57th minute, Russo bullied her way onto a loose ball and leveled it.
1-1. Game on.
Why the attendance numbers matter more than you think
There’s a lot of talk about "growth" in women's sports, but the Euro women’s final 2025 provided the receipts. 34,203 fans crammed into the "Joggeli" (that’s what the locals call St. Jakob-Park).
- Sold out weeks in advance.
- Millions watching on the BBC and RTVE.
- Pressure that felt identical to a Men’s Champions League final.
This wasn't a "family event." It was a high-stakes, high-aggression sporting battle. Referee Stéphanie Frappart had her hands full—Alessia Russo and Lucy Bronze both picked up yellows for challenges that were, let’s say, "optimistic." The physicality was off the charts. Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí, usually the most composed player on the planet, was visibly frustrated by the constant shadowing from Georgia Stanway.
The 120-minute grind and the lottery
Extra time was a slog. Both teams were running on fumes. Spain looked more likely to score, with Alexia Putellas coming off the bench to try and find that one killer pass. But England’s Hannah Hampton—who ended up as Player of the Match—was a wall.
✨ Don't miss: Who Won the Golf Tournament This Weekend: Richard T. Lee and the 2026 Season Kickoff
She saved everything. High, low, fingertip stops.
When the whistle blew at the end of 120 minutes, the energy in the stadium changed. Penalties are a cruel way to end a tournament of this magnitude, but they’re also the ultimate test of nerves.
England’s record with penalties hasn't always been great, but something felt different this time. Chloe Kelly, Alex Greenwood, and Niamh Charles all converted. Spain, usually so clinical, faltered. When the final kick went in, England had secured a 3-1 win on penalties.
They did it. Back-to-back European Champions.
The "Golden Generation" debate
Is this England side the greatest European team we've ever seen? Germany’s eight titles are hard to argue with, but the level of competition in 2025 was vastly higher than it was in the 90s.
🔗 Read more: The Truth About the Memphis Grizzlies Record 2025: Why the Standings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Spain might be the most talented "on paper" team, but England under Wiegman has developed a sort of "refuse to lose" mentality. They won games in this tournament they had no business winning. They came from behind against Sweden in the quarters. They scored a 96th-minute equalizer against Italy in the semis.
Basically, they are the team that refuses to go away.
What’s next for the fans and the players?
If you're looking to follow the momentum from the Euro women’s final 2025, the landscape is changing fast.
- Domestic Leagues: Expect a massive spike in attendance for the WSL (England) and Liga F (Spain). The stars of this final aren't going back to obscurity; they’re heading back to packed stadiums.
- The 2027 World Cup: The "rematch" is already the biggest talking point in international football. Can Spain reclaim their throne, or is the England era just beginning?
- Youth Development: Switzerland’s hosting of the tournament has left a massive legacy in the Alpine nation. Look for Swiss clubs to become much bigger players in the Champions League over the next few years.
The most important takeaway? Stop comparing this to the men's game. It doesn't need the comparison. The quality, the drama, and the tactical complexity of that July night in Basel stands entirely on its own.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. Most of the players from this final will be facing off again in just a few months. The rivalry between England and Spain isn't over; it's just getting started.