1 month ago
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England's Beth Mead missed a penalty after being ordered to re-take in shootout drama at the end of a nerve-jangling Euro 2025 final in Basel.
Mariona Caldentey's first-half header put Spain in the driving seat but the Lionesses rallied once again and equalised through Alessia Russo's superb header.
After being forced to dig deep in extra-time, Sarina Wiegman's side then bravely delivered under pressure to win 3-1 on penalties and retain their crown.
But the most breathless of victories only came after controversy at the death. Mead took the first spot-kick and converted despite slipping as she stepped up, and the resulting double touch meant she was forced to re-take following a rule change.
The second effort was a better height for Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll, who dived across to her right and palmed away in a heart-in-mouth moment.
However, the Lionesses refused to allow the controversy to affect them and secured their spot in the history books, No 1 Hannah Hampton proving the hero for her country after saving two penalties, while Spain's Salma Paralluelo fired wide of the target.
The milestone signalled the first time an England side has won a major trophy on foreign soil, and Wiegman's third consecutive European title with two countries.
Second-half substitute Mead fired her spot-kick down the middle, but the ball struck her standing foot as her boot slipped on the grass. That led referee Stephanie Frappart to intervene and signal a re-take, as per UEFA's updated rulebook.
Previously, kicking the ball twice was not allowed from the penalty spot and would have resulted in Mead's goal being immediately ruled out.
UEFA requested a review into similar instances after Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvaraz had his spot-kick disallowed during a shootout against Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 in March. Painfully, Atletico went on to lose on spot-kicks.
The change allowed Mead a reprieve, before she was foiled by Coll.
More to follow.
