Being the most skillful and technically best team at the Women’s European Championship wasn’t enough to get Spain the title on Sunday.
The 2023 World Cup winner and 2024 UEFA Nations League title holder nonetheless doesn’t have a European title for its stellar era after a penalty shootout loss to England in the closing after a 1-1 draw after further time.
Spain trailed for simply 4 minutes’ play throughout six video games in the complete event. England led for barely 5 minutes’ play in its three knockout rounds video games — and none in opposition to Spain.
“We were the best team of the tournament, but sometimes that’s not enough,” Spain star Aitana Bonmatí stated.
Bonmatí lower a tragic determine strolling to the trophy ceremony platform to accumulate her trophy as the best participant of the event, which she started days after being hospitalized with a bout of viral meningitis.
Bonmatí’s spot kick in the shootout was one of two saved by England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton. Mariona Caldentey, whose Twenty fifth-minute headed purpose appeared to set Spain on monitor for victory, additionally had her penalty saved.
Caldentey additionally went shut to scoring a second time in the first half, through which event high scorer Esther Gonzalez had three probabilities to rating.
Early in the second half, Caldentey’s Arsenal teammates Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo mixed to degree the rating on Russo’s header.
“I’m a bit in shock,” Bonmatí stated. “It was cruel. We played better, created more scoring chances, but in soccer sometimes that’s not enough. It all came down to the penalties.” “I’m sorry for my miss,” stated two-time Ballon d’Or winner Bonmatí, whose teammates Caldentey and Alexia Putellas additionally failed from the spot in a 2-0 quarterfinal win over Switzerland.
“I think this team deserved more. At least not living with this bitter feeling,” Spain coach Montse Tomé stated in translated feedback.
Spain captain Irene Paredes stated it was “hard to look for the positives so soon. Right now, it’s a very tough moment.” “England were happy just to reach penalties but, in the shootout, we didn’t perform well,” stated Paredes, whose Barcelona team additionally misplaced the Women’s Champions League closing in May to an English opponent, Arsenal. “To be a champion you need some luck, and I believe they had it.” Spain nonetheless is a world champion and can quickly put together to begin qualifying for the protection of its title. The 2027 World Cup is being performed in Brazil.
“We will be back,” Bonmatí stated. “There will be a World Cup in a couple of years, and that’s our goal now. This is a golden generation, with a lot of young players.”
