England secured another historic Women’s European Championship victory after a dramatic final that ended with a topsy-turvy penalty shootout win.
The Lionesses were hoping to make it back-to-back wins in the tournament after their Wembley success three years ago.
Sarina Wiegman opted to stick with the majority of the same XI that started the dramatic semi-final win over Italy, with Jess Carter coming back in for Esme Morgan in the only change.
Many had called for the likes of Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang to start, but they were once again employed as finishers.
Kelly, again, proved to be just that when she set up Russo to score. The semi-final hero crossed for Russo to head home – the decision to stick rather than twist paying off for Wiegman.
Russo though did make way for Agyemang, but there where to be no heroics from her or Kelly this time. The game went to extra time, with Russo’s header cancelling out the opener from Mariona Caldentey after she had crept in front of Lucy Bronze to head in.
Extra time couldn’t separate the sides as they grew weary and the defending champions were too good from the spot. Chloe Kelly scored the winning kick, but Hannah Hampton was the hero.
Full report to follow.
England are European champions again after beating Spain on penalties on Sunday evening
Chloe Kelly netted the winning spot kick as she stepped up to take England’s fifth penalty
Kelly wheeled away in celebration having also scored the winner in the semi-final victory
Hannah Hampton was also the hero for England, saving two of Spain’s four spot kicks
Hampton and Kelly were both mobbed as England were crowned champions once again
Sarina Wiegman and her side celebrated in front of fans as music played out in the stadium
Prince William and Princess Charlotte were among those in attendance for the game
Fans around the country celebrated as England were crowned champions of Europe again
Alessio Russo had squared things up for England with a fine header in the second half
Russo headed in from Chloe Kelly’s cross after keeping her place ahead of Michelle Agyemang
Spain took the lead after Mariona Caldentey (right) crept in ahead of Lucy Bronze to score
Spain were the better side early on and rewarded with their strike, but could not find a second
The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes and England pulled through from the spot in Switzerland
