Is football coming home again?
England v Spain Euro 2025 final preview
After a month of continental football played across Switzerland, Euro 2025 will come to a close on Sunday in Basel, where Spain face England in a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final.
Author | Lauren W
This will be Sarina Wiegman’s fifth consecutive major tournament final as a manager, a remarkable record that underlines her consistency at the highest level.
How the sides reached the final
England’s path to their 2022 European Championship triumph was largely serene, with six wins from six and only two goals conceded. Their title defence has been far more turbulent. A defeat to France in their opening match was followed by confident victories over the Netherlands and Wales, but they were forced to come from behind against both Sweden and Italy in the knockout rounds. Yet Sarina Wiegman’s side, aided by the strength of their bench, continue to find a way through.
READ MORE | What else has happened at Euro 2025
Spain, by contrast, have looked sharp from the start. They scored 14 goals across the group stage and topped their section with ease. The knockout rounds have been more testing, but they edged past hosts Switzerland before beating the 2022 runners-up Germany to reach their first UEFA Women’s EURO final. Their World Cup final win over England last year may offer a slight psychological edge as they look to add to their 2024 Nations League title.
Who to watch from England
When they need a decisive moment, Chloe Kelly often delivers. Whether she starts on Sunday will depend on Lauren James’s fitness, but Kelly’s influence rarely requires a full 90 minutes. She scored the winner in the Euro 2022 final, converted the decisive penalty in the 2023 Finalissima against Brazil, and held her nerve again from the spot to knock out Nigeria at last year’s World Cup. At these Euros, she has played a key role in the comeback against Sweden and scored the late winner from the penalty spot against Italy. Whatever happens in Basel, Kelly is likely to be involved at a crucial moment.
Who to watch from Spain
Much attention will fall on Aitana Bonmatí, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, but that focus may create space for Salma Paralluelo and especially Clàudia Pina. The Barcelona forward has been in excellent form throughout the tournament. She scored twice when Spain beat England in the Nations League in June and has added two more impressive goals at these finals, cutting in from the left and curling the ball into the top corner.
