Sunday’s Euro 2025 final England vs Spain represents far more than just a football match. For the Lionesses, it’s a chance to make history as the first England team ever to retain a major international trophy on foreign soil. For Spain, it’s an opportunity to celebrate a major tournament victory without the shadow of controversy that tainted their 2023 World Cup triumph.
The stage is set at Basel’s St Jakob-Park for what promises to be a captivating rematch of the 2023 World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0. This time, however, the narrative feels distinctly different for both teams as they prepare for kick-off at 5pm BST.
England’s Remarkable Journey Under Wiegman
Sarina Wiegman’s achievement in reaching five consecutive major tournament finals – two with the Netherlands and three with England – remains unprecedented in football history. Her ability to guide teams through adversity has been on full display throughout Euro 2025, with England mounting dramatic comebacks against both Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages.
The tournament began with disappointment as England suffered a 2-1 defeat to France in their opening group match. However, Wiegman’s side demonstrated remarkable resilience, bouncing back with convincing victories over the Netherlands (4-0) and Wales (6-1) to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
England’s path to the final has been nothing short of dramatic. Their quarter-final against Sweden required a penalty shootout after they came back from 2-0 down to force extra time. The semi-final against Italy prove a crucial equaliser in the 96th minute before Chloe Kelly converted a penalty rebound in the 119th minute to send England through.
“We’ve nearly killed her twice in this tournament,” joked England midfielder Ella Toone about the stress the team has put their manager through. Wiegman herself admitted the tournament has been “the craziest one” she’s experienced as a coach.
Spain’s Transformation and Quest for Redemption
Spain enters the final as a team transformed since their World Cup victory two years ago. The controversy surrounding former federation president Luis Rubiales, who was convicted of sexual assault for kissing striker Jenni Hermoso without consent after the World Cup final, cast a dark shadow over what should have been Spain’s greatest footballing moment.
Under new management with Montse Tomรฉ at the helm, Spain has created a completely different environment. “It’s a transformed environment,” noted Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague. “The players are expressing that ‘we only need to focus on playing now,’ which is a completely different mindset”.
Spain’s route to their first European Championship final has been impressive. They dominated Group B with three wins from three matches, scoring 14 goals and conceding just three. Their knockout victories over Switzerland (2-0) and a dramatic extra-time win against Germany (1-0) have showcased their technical brilliance and mental strength.
Tactical Battle and Key Matchups
The tactical battle between England vs Spain promises to be fascinating. Spain’s possession-based approach, led by the Barcelona trio of Aitana Bonmatรญ, Alexia Putellas, and Patri Guijarro, will test England’s defensive resilience. Spain has maintained over 66% possession in all their matches at Euro 2025, with their midfield completing passes at an 86% success rate.
England’s strength lies in their ability to create chaos from structure, particularly through Wiegman’s tactical substitutions. The Lionesses have scored five goals via substitutes at the tournament, more than any other team, with Agyemang leading that tally with two crucial goals.
One area where England vs Spain could be decided is in wide areas. Spain’s attack-minded full-backs leave space that England’s wingers, particularly Lauren Hemp and potentially Chloe Kelly, could exploit. However, England’s defensive vulnerabilities, especially on the left flank, remain a concern against Spain’s technical forwards.
The Television Phenomenon
The tournament has captured the British public’s imagination like few sporting events before it. England’s semi-final victory over Italy drew a peak audience of 10.2 million viewers on ITV, making it the broadcaster’s biggest audience of the year. The figure represents a significant increase from England’s Euro 2022 semi-final, which peaked at 9.3 million viewers.
This growing audience reflects the Lionesses’ increasing popularity and the quality of women’s football. England’s quarter-final against Sweden attracted 7.4 million viewers on BBC, while their group stage match against Wales outperformed the men’s Club World Cup final in terms of UK viewership.
Individual Stars and Awards at Stake
Several individual awards hang in the balance for Sunday’s final. Spain’s Esther Gonzรกlez leads the tournament’s scoring charts with four goals, closely followed by her teammate Putellas with three goals and four assists. England’s top scorers include Agyemang and Lauren James, both with two goals each.
The Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player sees strong contenders from both sides. Putellas has created more chances than any other player (18), while England’s Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton have also impressed throughout the competition.
Historical Context and Records
This England vs Spain final carries significant historical weight. It marks only the second time the same teams have met in consecutive Women’s World Cup or European Championship finals, following Germany’s encounters with Sweden in 2001 and 2003.
For England, victory would make them just the second nation to win consecutive European Championships, joining Germany who achieved this feat multiple times between 1989 and 2013. Captain Leah Williamson would become the first England player to lift a second major trophy as captain.
Spain, meanwhile, could become the first European nation since Germany to hold both the World Cup and European Championship simultaneously. Their perfect record at Euro 2025 – five wins from five matches – has already surpassed their previous achievements at the continental competition.
The Broader Impact
Beyond the immediate prize of European glory, Sunday’s final represents the culmination of years of investment and development in women’s football. The tournament has showcased the technical quality, tactical sophistication, and physical intensity that now characterises the women’s game at its highest level.
For Spain, this final offers the chance to celebrate a major tournament victory in the manner their World Cup triumph deserved. For England, it presents an opportunity to cement their status as the dominant force in women’s international football under Wiegman’s exceptional leadership.
The match kicks off at 5pm BST on Sunday, with coverage available on both BBC One and ITV in the UK. Win or lose, both teams have already contributed to a tournament that has elevated women’s football to new heights, but only one can claim the crown as champions of Europe.
As Williamson noted ahead of the final: “The opportunity of tonight and what’s on offer is the best thing in football”. For 90 minutes in Basel, that sentiment will be put to the ultimate test in what promises to be a fitting climax to a remarkable tournament.
