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The UEFA Women's EURO 2025 final is set to be a thrilling showdown between defending champions England and reigning world champions Spain. The match, a rematch of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final, will take place on Sunday, July 27th, at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, with a 6 pm local time (5 pm UK time) kick-off.
Both teams have had to overcome challenges to reach this point. England needed extra time in their semi-final win against Italy. Spain also required extra time to secure their place in the final, defeating Germany 1-0.
Path to the Final
England's journey has been marked by resilience. After a shaky start with a 2-1 loss to France, they recovered to progress through the group stages. In the quarter-finals, they fought back from 2-0 down to beat Sweden in a penalty shootout. Their semi-final against Italy also required extra time, with a late winner from Chloe Kelly.
Spain, in contrast, had a more dominant run. They were impressive throughout the group stages, scoring 14 goals in three matches. Their semi-final against Germany was a tight affair, with Aitana Bonmati scoring the decisive goal in extra time.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
England is sweating on the fitness of Lauren James, who was substituted at half-time in the semi-final due to an ankle injury. Spain appears to have a fully fit squad, with Laia Aleixandri returning from suspension and Athenea del Castillo recovered from a previous injury.
Predicted England XI (4-2-3-1): Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Morgan, Greenwood; Walsh, Stanway; Mead, Toone, Hemp; Russo.
Predicted Spain XI (4-3-3): Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Carmona; Bonmati, Guijarro, Putellas; Caldentey, Gonzalez, Pina.
Key Matchups and Tactical Considerations
The midfield battle will be crucial, with Spain known for creating overloads in that area. Germany successfully stifled Spain's midfield by staying compact and physical, and England will need to match that intensity. Some analysts suggest Spain might target England's right side, where Lucy Bronze and Leah Williamson play, as Williamson may be playing with an ankle issue.
Expert Predictions and Odds
Bookmakers are favoring Spain to win the final. However, England's resilience and never-say-die attitude make them a dangerous opponent.
Historical Context
England and Spain have a history of close contests. They have met three times in Women's EURO final tournaments, with England winning two and Spain winning one. The most recent meeting was in the 2023 World Cup final, where Spain won 1-0. They have already met twice in 2025 in the UEFA Women's Nations League. In February, England won 1-0 at Wembley, and in June, Spain prevailed 2-1 in Barcelona. Overall, England have 8 wins to Spain's 5, with 6 draws.
Final Thoughts
The Euro 2025 final promises to be a captivating encounter between two of the best teams in the world. England will be looking for revenge after their World Cup final defeat, while Spain aims to add a European title to their World Cup crown. The game will be broadcast on BBC and ITV.
