England vs Spain live score: Lionesses Euro 2025 final updates

England’s goal-scorer has been replaced by Michelle Agyemang as the Lionesses search for a winner.

Here’s another look at Russo’s excellent header

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We’re now half an hour into the second half and the stats are looking more even (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). England have 47 per cent possession to Spain’s 53; xG: 0.36 to 0.39; shots: 2-6; shots on target: 2-3; big chances: 1-0.

For the majority of the game — as has been the case for much of this tournament — England were struggling to get Keira Walsh on the ball. Yet, in the seconds before their equaliser, Alexia Putellas, who had been man-marking her, attempted to pass on marking duties over to Aitana Bonmatí. Look below at the outstretched arm of the midfielder in red inside the centre circle.

But Bonmati realised half a second too slowly, and Walsh had time to receive the ball, spin and set England off on a break which they eventually scored from.

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Goal! England 1 Spain 1

Alessia Russo equalises for England! Brilliant work by Chloe Kelly on the left wing, and her superb cross is headed in by Russo. It’s Russo’s ninth goal at a major tournament.

Prince William and Princess Charlotte cheer on Lionesses

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There are plenty of big names in the stands in Basel, and none bigger than Prince William, the patron of the Football Association, who is in attendance with Princess Charlotte to support England.

England using wings well

Here’s England’s pass network from the first half (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). Most of their play has been to the wings (which was by design) although, that’s one thing they may want to change this half. If England can get playing in the centre of the pitch, they may be able to get a foothold in the game.

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Second half under way

Spain get us back under way in the second half. No substitutions at the break. Can England find a way back into this?

Will Wiegman ring the changes?

Of Sarina Wiegman’s qualities, arguably her greatest is her ability to make tactical changes (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). It will be fascinating to see what she does at half-time, or if she decides to wait a little longer, and launch an attack on Spain later in the game.

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Time for Agyemang?

Pub-goers at the Knight of Aveley in South Ockendon, Essex, all agree: The way to come back after an early goal from Spain is to bring on Michelle Agyemang (Charlotte Alt writes).

Michael Murphy, 72, who has been watching most of this year’s Euros matches, said: “I just hope they’ll bring Michelle on like they have been, not to start but bring her on in the last 20 minutes. She has been key to the success and I can’t see that altering.”

CHARLOTTE WILSON/UEFA/GETTY IMAGES

Agymang, who was born in South Ockendon and started her footballing journey at the local Brandon Groves Football Club, has scored equalisers in both of the last two matches against Sweden and Italy, helping England reach the final.

At the Knight Aveley pub-goers are decked in England flags, hats and jerseys, ready to support the Lionesses and their “very own Ockendon girl” throughout the evening. Patricia Duggan, 64, said: “Michelle’s getting lots of support here which I think is lovely.” Duggan is convinced with Agymang’s help the Lionesses will be able to turn it around and predicts a final score of 3-2 for England.

Spain’s dominance in numbers

Here’s what the numbers say at half-time…

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Half-time: England 0 Spain 1

So England need yet another comeback (Kit Shepard writes). After an even start in Basel a couple of minor lapses were punished ruthlessly by Spain, who lead courtesy of Mariona Caldentey’s goal. The Arsenal midfielder has already won the Champions League this year and has one hand on the Ballon d’Or.

Obvious with hindsight, but Lauren James really should not have started. She looked off the pace, missed a good chance early on and was forced off with a recurrence of her ankle injury just before half-time.

But England have come back from bleaker situations this tournament, and Michelle Agyemang remains waiting to be unleashed from the bench. Only 1-0.

Kelly on for injured James

Lauren James is done here (Kit Shepard writes). The England forward has just deliberately kicked the ball out of play and sat on the turf. It appears the ankle injury she sustained in the semi-final has resurfaced. She cannot continue.

Chloe Kelly, one of England’s supersubs this tournament, comes off the bench earlier than planned. A crying shame for James, who is a generational talent but has been plagued by injuries over the past year. Was Sarina Wiegman’s decision to start her naive?

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England struggling to regain control

Since the goal, Spain have been superb, and England have not been able to gain control (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). England’s direct, long tactic is effective when the scores are level, but now England are trailing, they will probably want to get a hold of the ball and keep it for a while, so they can catch their breath, instead of playing from end to end.

Spain’s flowing move

Spain’s goal started with an innocuous spell of possession (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). Aitana Bonmatí dropped deep to receive possession then accelerated it quickly by spinning and moving it wide. She then ran forward, got past Georgia Stanway and slipped the ball infield, with Athenea del Castillo moving diagonally into the box and combining with Ona Batlle, who crossed to Mariona Caldentey.

Goal! England 0 Spain 1

Mariona Caldentey heads the world champions in front. It’s a brilliantly-worked goal too. Ona Batlle takes possession on the right wing and floats in a perfect cross for Caldentey to head home past Hannah Hampton.

MATTHIAS HANGST/GETTY IMAGES

Lauren Hemp comes close

England’s press nearly produces the opener (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). After attacking down the left, England lose the ball but immediately look to recover the ball. They force the ball from one side to the other, where Lauren Hemp is ready to spring out — she intercepts the pass but her shot is denied by Cata Coll, who saves well.

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England’s pressing shape changes again

England’s 4-2-4 has now turned into a 4-4-2, because of how Spain have positioned their players when they have possession (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí — who were dropping deep in the opening minutes — have now moved higher. Meanwhile, Patricia Guijarro is dropping between the centre backs when Spain are building up, giving them an extra player against England’s front two.

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Lionesses looking to attack quickly

England’s possession sequences have been really short (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). When they win the ball, they’re looking to attack the spaces in behind the full backs — and Spain’s high line. These long passes also mean that Spain have to drop deeper and restart their possessions all over again.

Yet Spain are making adjustments, too. Olga Carmona, the left back, has adjusted her position when Spain have the ball, and Alexia Putellas has pulled a bit wider, too, to draw Lauren Hemp away from England’s front four. That little tweak has meant Spain have now been able to advance on their left side and get shots off, on two occasions.

Lionesses tweak their pressing shape

England appear to have adjusted their pressing shape (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes). Instead of playing with their usual 4-5-1, they have a 4-2-4 formation. The 4-2-4 means that England are in a more aggressive position to jump out and press, when Spain trigger them (either with a backwards or under-hit pass).

England using the wings to advance

Within the first minute of the match some of the tactical themes have already emerged: England are looking to progress upfield by playing to the wings, and using direct long balls to advance (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes).

And it’s one of those long balls that leads to the first big chance of the match: Alessia Russo runs in behind from the right and draws a save from Cata Coll; Lauren James running in at the far post couldn’t quite get to the rebound in time, though.

England make strong start

Great start from England early on. Alessia Russo bursts through down the right wing and her low shot is parried into the path of the onrushing Lauren James — but she can’t quite get there before it’s cleared.

HARRIET LANDERTHE FA/GETTY IMAGES)

Kick-off!

Here we go! The national anthems and handshakes are over and Lauren Hemp get us under way in Basel. Can England avenge their defeat by Spain in the 2023 World Cup final and defend their title? Let’s find out.

It’s almost time

We’ve just had the closing ceremony for Euro 2025 (Kit Shepard writes). It involves 40 dancers — all dressed in snazzy purple trousers — waving around those inflatable hand-clapper tubes. One for the youths of today, really.

Switzerland has overcome doubts about its size and women’s football pedigree to stage an excellent tournament, breaking all sorts of Women’s Euros attendance records. The host nation has embraced the tournament and will miss it after tonight.

I knew Chloe Kelly was special at 8 years old, says first coach

It was in the football cage of an Ealing estate that Chloe Kelly found her feet.

By the time she was ten, tales of her talents were spreading around the west London borough as she took on her five older brothers and their friends on the concrete pitch.

“I’d hear stories about her in the cages, showboating and embarrassing players because of how good she was,” Steve Quashie, her first coach, recalled. “Other boys who played in the area were saying: ‘This kid’s unbelievable, she’s nutmegging me and doing rainbow flicks and I can’t get the ball off her!’”

• Read in full: I knew Chloe Kelly was special at 8 years old, says first coach

Basil Goode is in the house

The TikTok famous Chelsea women’s and Lioness superfan Basil Goode has, of course, made an appearance in his namesake Basel (Constance Kampfner writes).

The hype man has been supporting the women’s game for as long as he can remember, “when there were only between 200 and 400 people at the game”. Goode is always a conspicuous presence on match days at Stamford Bridge, leading chants with his drums, horns and flags. He has become a social media star, despite not having any accounts himself.

Goode never, he says, thought the women’s game would reach the levels of support it has. “It’s very good it’s got this far,” he says, “hopefully we’re going to get a lot better and catch the men”. The 66-year-old thinks it is a “miracle” he is still alive after following the Lionesses through their many ups and downs this tournament. “I almost had a heart attack with all those penalties and extra time. But all those girls shone.”

Fourth time lucky for England?

This is the fourth major final that an England senior team has contested on foreign soil (we’re not counting the inaugural Women’s Euros in 1984, where the Lionesses lost a two-legged final played in Gothenburg and Luton), all of them having come since 2009 (James Gheerbrant writes). That was the year the Lionesses lost 6-2 to Germany in the Euros final in Helsinki, and of course they also played Spain in the World Cup final in Sydney two years ago. And the men’s team has of course reached the last Euros final in Berlin, where they too were defeated by Spain.

Friends and family take their seats

We’re sitting right behind the players’ families and friends at St Jakob-Park, and many are in replica shirts featuring the name of their loved one (Kit Shepard writes).

By this metric, there are particularly strong contingents for Michelle Agyemang, Esme Morgan and Anna Moorhouse. Reece James, the Chelsea captain and brother of Lauren, is also here supporting his sister.

Meet today’s referee

Our referee today, by the way, is the legendary Stéphanie Frappart, probably the pre-eminent female referee in football (James Gheerbrant writes). Frappart has officiated extensively not only in women’s football but also at the highest levels of the men’s game, including Ligue 1, the Champions League and the 2022 World Cup, where she took charge of the group stage match between Costa Rica and Germany. Frappart was also on the whistle when England’s men played Senegal last month, and when the Lionesses beat Brazil in the Finalissima in 2023.

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Spain make two changes

Spain have made two changes from the team which overcame Germany after extra-time in the semi-final (James Gheerbrant writes). As expected, Laia Aleixandri returns from suspension to retake her place in the XI from María Méndez, while there’s a more intriguing selection call from Montse Tomé on the left wing: Claudia Pina, who started both previous knockout games, is replaced by Athenea del Castillo, who has only made only one previous start in the tournament.

Spain: C Coll, O Batlle, I Paredes, L Aleixandri, O Carmona, A Bonmatí, P Guijarro, A Putellas, M Caldentey, E González, Athenea. Substitutes: E Sullastres, A Nanclares, J Fernández, M Méndez, L Ouahabi, C Martín-Prieto, L García, S Paralluelo, V López, C Pina, A Redondo, M Zubieta.

Carter returns for England as Morgan dropped to bench

One change for England (Kit Shepard writes). Jess Carter comes back into the back four for Esme Morgan, while Lauren James is fit enough to retain her starting spot after picking up an ankle injury in the semi-final.

The return of Carter is somewhat surprising. She struggled against France and Sweden, lost her spot for the semi-final, and watched Morgan have a decent game in her place. However, Wiegman has opted for Carter’s superior strength and ball-playing abilities, instead of Morgan’s height and mobility.

Carter arrives at St Jakob Park HARRIET LANDER/THE FA/GETTY IMAGES

Carter has played in every position of the back four except right back. Starting at left centre back, the position in which she flourished against the Netherlands, feels the most likely option this afternoon.

Elsewhere, Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang stay as impact substitutes and possible saviours. If we don’t see them later, then the final will be going very well for England. We will also soon find out how fit James is. Her brilliant playmaking could decide the game, but how much of the match can her body manage?

England (4-2-1-3): H Hampton — L Bronze, L Williamson, J Carter, A Greenwood — K Walsh, G Stanway — E Toone — L James, A Russo, L Hemp. Substitutes: M Agyemang, A Beever-Jones, E Morgan, N Charles, G Clinton, K Keating, C Kelly, M Le Tissier, B Mead, A Moorhouse, J Park, L Wubben-Moy.

Welcome to St Jakob Park

Our venue today is St Jakob Park, home to FC Basel (James Gheerbrant writes). This is not the stadium’s first brush with hosting a European Championship: it was one of the venues for the men’s Euro 2008 tournament, hosting Germany’s 3-2 victories over Portugal and Turkey in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively, and Russia’s 3-1 extra-time win against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. It was also the venue for the 2016 Europa League final, Liverpool’s second final of the Jürgen Klopp era, when they lost 3-1 to Sevilla. Neither of today’s finalists has played here so far in this tournament.

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Who will the rain favour?

The Lionesses have made “proper English” their mantra this tournament, and we’ve just had a spell of proper English weather (Kit Shepard writes). At last, my umbrella comes in handy.

It’s now sunny again but there could be further downpours over the afternoon, and how conditions influence the match will be interesting. A damp pitch should suit Spain’s slick passing, but a sodden surface could disrupt their rhythm and allow England to narrow the margins.

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Fans await Lionesses in Basel

There were barely two minutes left to go of the semi-final when Craig Jones promised his daughter tickets to Basel on the off-chance England managed to turn around their seemingly inevitable 1-0 defeat by Italy. It was not a promise he thought he would need to keep (Constance Kampfner writes).

Yet Michelle Agyemang’s equaliser in the 96th minute, followed by Chloe Kelly’s goal in extra time, meant Jones, 35, a man of his word, spent the rest of the evening hastily booking tickets and hotels for Leona, nine, and her best friend Sofia, ten.

He and his neighbour Jamie Smith, 48, split the 12-hour drive from their hometown of Grimsby in a car plastered with England flags. The dads and daughters will be straight back into the car after the match this evening to make it back in time for work on Monday. All worth it, according to the girls — who claim they “never gave up hope” of seeing the Lionesses make it to the final.

• Read in full: ‘The spirit of the game is amazing’ — fans await Lionesses in Basel

How the Lionesses can win tactical battle

As England’s footballers gathered in the players’ lounge at their hotel on the outskirts of Zurich and tuned in to watch Spain’s semi-final against Germany, Arjan Veurink, Sarina Wiegman’s assistant, was taking his seat at the match at Letzigrund stadium (Hamzah Khalique-Loonat writes).

Opposition scouting during international tournaments is usually conducted by a travelling group of scouts, or analysts based at St George’s Park watching remotely. But on Wednesday night, England’s scouts — Emma Coates (also the under-23’s head coach) and Gemma Davies (her assistant) — were joined at the game by Veurink as well as the senior team’s analysts.

• Read in full: How the Lionesses can win tactical battle with Spain in Euro 2025 final

England, is that you?

It’s gone from beautiful sunshine to pouring rain in about 60 seconds flat (Constance Kampfner writes). Cue umbrellas and plastic ponchos for the prepared. England flags draped over the head are having to do for the rest. Groups are taking quick pit stops to get their gear on before running back into the crowd as the march enters its final stretch. Fans are hoping the native weather will give the Lionesses an edge over their Mediterranean rivals.

CONSTANCE KAMPFNER

England fans make themselves known

Some poor Spanish fans got stuck trying to cross the bridge over the Rhine as England’s parade was marching through (Constance Kampfner writes). Good-natured booing ensued though this is a pretty generous crowd. “Leave them alone!” implored one woman. Another is taking a more direct approach, plastering any red-and-yellow clad fan in sight with England stickers and shouting “Vamos!” Someone even sneaked one onto my backpack — I must not have been cheering loudly enough!

Meet England’s piano-playing supersub

During her three extraordinary performances in Switzerland, the Lionesses’ breakout star Michelle Agyemang has earned a reputation as England’s rescue act.

It is fitting, then, that the 19-year-old supersub’s surname means “saviour of the nation” in Akan, a language in her parent’s native Ghana. Only four years ago, Agyemang was a ball girl at Wembley during Sarina Wiegman’s third game in charge of the team. Today, she is a hero to her Essex hometown and hailed as an “unbelievable” player by her team-mate Chloe Kelly.

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT/KEYSTONE/AP

The teenager was included in England’s squad because of one extraordinary goal. A mere 41 seconds into her international debut in Belgium last April, she scored a brilliant volley with her first touch. She did not play for England again before the Euros squad announcement, but that strike sealed her place as the team’s wildcard.

• Read in full: Who is Michelle Agyemang? Meet England’s piano-playing supersub

England garner local support

“Swiss by birth, Lioness by heart,” read Nicole Dïahler’s sign (Constance Kampfner writes). The 35-year-old office worker from Bern was proudly sporting an England shirt as she marched side-by-side through Basel’s old town with British fans, while her fellow countrymen watched on, bemused, from their doorsteps. “I love the English people, the spirit,” she said. “The Swiss we are not too much, not too loud. England is not like that!” She predicted a cool 3-2, “to England, of course”.

Constance Kampfner CONSTANCE KAMPFNER

Lionesses on brink of glory once more

No one can say they’ve done it the easy way. Three weeks ago Sarina Wiegman’s outfit lost its opening game at Euro 2025. Having then progressed from the group stage with two emphatic wins, a misfiring England team found itself 2-0 down to Sweden with 12 minutes of normal time remaining in the quarter-final. Inspired by the veteran Lucy Bronze, they battled back to draw, earn extra time and triumph in a penalty shootout in which the goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made crucial saves.

DENIS BALIBOUSE/REUTERS

Against Italy in the semi five days later, the ­Lionesses were 1-0 down six minutes into injury time before the teenage sensation Michelle Agyemang popped up with an equaliser. A second shootout was avoided by a Chloe Kelly winner late in extra time. On Sunday this dogged group of young women face Spain, whose formidably gifted side outclassed England in the 2023 World Cup final. Based on a Barcelona team that has dominated Europe in recent seasons, Spain are favourites. Grace versus grit.

• Read in full: England’s Lionesses are once more on the brink of glory

Spain fans also out in force

There are heaps of England fans in Basel, but the Spanish are out in force too (Kit Shepard writes). I’ve just been to their fanzone to witness some drumming, dancing, and a sea of red shirts.

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Intermittent spells of heavy rain are forecast all afternoon but, right now, it is sunny and my decision to bring an umbrella is not paying off. I give myself a 5 per cent chance of remembering it when I leave the stadium tonight.

England fans marching towards stadium

And they’re off! The England fans have started their march towards St Jakob-Park stadium with just over two hours to go before kick-off (Constance Kampfner writes). A cardboard cutout of Lioness manager Sarina Wiegman looking characteristically concerned is leading the pack, along with a flag-adorned black cab and the England marching band.

KYA BANASKO/THE FA/GETTY IMAGES

Among the musicians is 15-year-old Viraj Kacker, who has been playing the trombone for eight years. “We’re here to help build an atmosphere, give everyone a boost,” he said. Chants of Michelle Agyemang, who fans are hoping will be brought on earlier this time, are being interspersed with the lyrics of “it’s coming home”.

“You can shove your patatas bravas up your arse,” reads one of the less family friendly banners on display.

Could ‘British’ weather help Lionesses?

It was grey and damp in Basel yesterday and this afternoon’s forecast is not looking a whole lot better (Constance Kampfner writes). Yet fans making their way between the Swiss city’s English and Irish pubs last night felt optimistic that this could only play in the Lionesses’ favour.

“This is good British weather,” beamed Sam Cooke, 34. The civil servant drove three days from Southend with his 12-year-old daughter Izzy and his father Bertie to make it to the final. “I booked the tickets on a gamble for my daughter’s Christmas present. But my dad managed to get a ticket today,” Cooke said.

Izzy, who plays for the London City Lionesses youth group, braved the cold in a Mary Earps shirt, undeterred both by the rain and the goalkeeper’s shock resignation from international football. She plans to shout extra loud for right-back Lucy Bronze and the “amazing” Michelle Agyemang.

England face Spain in Euro 2025 final

Hello and welcome to our coverage of England v Spain in the Euro 2025 final. It’s the European champions against the world champions in what is a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final. With kick-off in Basel two and a half hours away, stay tuned for the latest updates from our team of reporters.

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