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HANNAH HAMPTON and Chloe Kelly are the heroes of the moment as England retains their European Championship title after a thrilling shootout win over Spain.
London-born Kelly – who scored the winning goal against Germany at Euro 2022 – converted the decisive spot-kick to seal victory for the Lionesses after Spain missed three penalties in a row – with expat Hampton saving two.
Sarina Wiegman has won a victory that is sweet for her team after La Roja beat England in the now infamous World Cup final of 2023 in Sydney.
In a style befitting their journey to Sunday’s showpiece – which included one penalty victory despite missing four spot-kicks and a remarkable 119th-minute semi-final winner – England came from behind to level the game with 120 minutes of exhilarating football unable to separate the sides.
Then, penalties. They have been the constant enemy of England’s national sides for years.
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When skipper Leah Williamson missed her kick with England 2-1 up, it looked like it could be the same old story – hope, adulation, and then quickly despair.
Salma Paralluelo, however, skewed the effort too far and Kelly was left with an opportunity to create history.
She did convert, in a typical cocky manner, which sparked jubilant jubilation on the pitch and the stands.
Spain took the lead early after England conceded the first goal in the knockout stages of the competition.
Kelly’s introduction in the second half changed the game – as it had in the semi-final against Italy – and it was Arsenal star Alessia Russo who nodded in her cross to make it 1-1.
Spain won the match, but England’s defiant and resolute defence made it to penalties.
It was only fitting that after losing their opening match of the tournament and winning the quarter-finals in a shootout with nine missed penalties, they won the semi-finals by scoring two goals in the last minute of each half.
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Cata Coll was the one to take the initiative, but when Beth Mead’s effort was thrown away, England fans were forgiven for assuming the worst.
But successive saves from Hampton – who lived in Spain as a child – from goalscorer Mariona Caldentey and Ballon D’or winner Aitana Bonmati gave England the advantage.
Kelly took the decisive shot after Williamson and Paralluelo missed their chance.
England did it again.
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