England trailed to a first-half Mariona Caldentey header but comebacks have been the story of their tournament, and they equalised shortly before the hour mark through Alessia Russo.

As well as Hampton, Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh and Lauren James all started for England, with Niamh Charles and Aggie Beever-Jones on the bench. Bronze was making her 36th appearance at a major tournament, an England record.

Charles had replaced Bronze midway through extra-time and she was the only Chelsea player to take a spot-kick, calmly sending Cata Coll the wrong way. England had blinked first, but it was Hampton who turned the shoot-out around, saving consecutive Spain penalties from Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati either side of Charles’ goal.

After another Spain miss, Chloe Kelly smashed her effort into the roof of the net to win the European Championships for a second tournament running. The Lionesses had won the shoot-out 3-1.

England started the game brightly and had a good chance to take the lead inside three minutes. Russo broke clear and saw her low shot saved, with James not far away from turning in the loose ball.

Spain responded and it needed Hampton to stay tall and make a brave stop from Spain’s star striker Esther Gonzalez on nine minutes. She had spun away from Jess Carter to get the shot off.

The chances kept coming. Lauren Hemp seized on an underhit pass close to Spain’s goal and forced a fine stop from Coll, who used her left leg to divert the ball wide.

England were made to pay for not taking that chance in the 25th minute. A typically neat and tidy Spain move opened up space down the right, and when the cross came in, Arsenal’s Caldentey was in the right place to power a header into the top corner. Hampton stood no chance, and once again the Lionesses would have to come from behind.

Spain remained on the front foot for the remainder of the half. Walsh did fire a shot from the edge of the box wide before James’ evening came to a premature end. She had been a pre-match doubt and was withdrawn five minutes before the interval, Kelly the replacement.

The second half began with Spain still on top and Hampton safely holding a shot from Bonmati.

Kelly’s crosses have been a feature of England’s play this tournament and another brilliant one created the leveller on 56 minutes. Russo was the player picked out and she skilfully steered her header back across goal and into the corner. 1-1!

The contest was even now. England looked more confident in possession than they had for much of the game, with Spain looking to work openings on the break. Sub Claudia Pina fashioned a yard of space in the box and blasted goalwards, only to be met by a strong hand from Hampton.

As the 90 minutes wound down, Spain reasserted their authority but without creating any clear chances. Yet again, extra-time would be required in an England knockout game.

Bronze began it with yet another solid defensive contribution as Spain threatened from the same right flank that produced their goal. Not for the first time this tournament, our defender had to battle through the pain barrier, before eventually being replaced Charles with a quarter-hour left.

England survived a major scare on the stroke of half-time of extra-time, Salma Paralluelo unable to sort her feet out to convert a low cross from point-blank range.

The final 15 minutes passed without major goalmouth incident but Spain on top, the final on a knife-edge. England dug deep. To penalties we went.

Beth Mead’s first strike went in but was deemed to have been kicked twice. Her second attempt was very well saved by Coll.

The next two penalties were converted, England’s scored by Alex Greenwood, before Hampton held her nerve to the stuttering Caldentey and dived to her left to save.

Charles was up next and calmly sent Coll the wrong way. England now had the lead, 2-1. And it stayed that way after Hampton went to her right this time to keep Bonmati’s strike out.

Unfortunately Leah Williamson couldn’t ram home that advantage with her spot-kick, Coll sticking out a strong right hand to palm it away. But Paralluelo dragged her effort wide, giving Kelly the chance to win the European Championships, just as she had in 2022.

The most emphatic penalty of the shoot-out followed and England were victorious again - champions of Europe! Hampton’s two saves had proven pivotal, but it had been a monumental collective effort to secure more silverware for the Lionesses, with Walsh joining Williamson to lift the trophy on another famous night for English football.

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