England Retains Women's Euro Title Beating Spain on Penalties

England successfully defended their European Championship title by defeating Spain in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in extra time, becoming the first nation to retain the women's Euros since Germany's six consecutive wins ending in 2013. Despite Spain's dominance in possession, shots, and clear chances, Spanish captain Irene Paredes and manager Montse Tome expressed frustration, describing the defeat as cruel and attributing England's victory to luck throughout the tournament, particularly in penalty shootouts. England captain Leah Williamson acknowledged some fortune but emphasized that the team was deserving champions due to their resilience and strong defense across three knockout matches, all requiring extra time, with two decided by penalties. England's campaign was marked by extraordinary perseverance, including winning quarter-final and final matches on penalties and a late extra-time victory in the semifinals. The Lionesses celebrated their historic achievement with emotional scenes, highlighting their status as the first England team to win two major tournaments and the first to do so on foreign soil. The contrasting perspectives highlight a narrative of England’s grit and mental toughness overcoming Spain’s statistical superiority and control during the final.