Beth Mead's penalty retake in England's Euro 2025 final shootout against Spain was a result of a relatively new interpretation of the rules regarding penalty kicks, specifically concerning "double touches".

Mead, a second-half substitute, was chosen to take England's first penalty in the crucial shootout. She initially appeared to score, sending the ball past Spain's goalkeeper Cata Coll. However, replays clearly showed that Mead had slipped slightly during her approach, causing her to kick the ball twice. The ball made contact with her standing foot before going into the goal.

According to the Laws of the Game, the kicker cannot play the ball again until it has touched another player. Previously, a double touch would have resulted in the penalty being disallowed and a free kick awarded to the opposing team. However, a recent amendment to the rules, influenced by a similar incident in the men's Champions League, allows for a retake in such situations.

UEFA, the governing body for European football, requested clarification on the laws regarding these rare instances. The updated rule, Article 14.1 of the Laws of the Game, states that the penalty kick is completed when the ball stops moving, goes out of play, or the referee stops play for any offense. This means that if a player touches the ball twice on a penalty kick, the kick is retaken.

Referee Stephanie Frappart, following the updated guidelines, ordered a retake. Unfortunately for Mead, her second attempt was saved by Coll. Despite the save, England went on to win the shootout 3-1, securing their second consecutive European Championship. Hannah Hampton saved two penalties, and Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty.