hloe Kelly’s match-winning penalty in the Euro 2025 final delivered another historic moment for England, but her post-goal celebration has not gone down well in Spain.
The 26-year-old forward struck the decisive penalty as the Lionesses edged past Spain in a tense shootout to retain their European title. While the win sparked scenes of joy among England players and fans alike, reaction across the Spanish press has been far less enthusiastic.
Spanish media outlets have taken issue with Kelly’s celebration, describing it as “cocky” and “unnecessary”. The criticism stems from the way the England forward appeared to celebrate directly in front of Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll after firing her penalty into the top corner.
Despite the controversy, Kelly’s impact on the final cannot be denied. Three years on from her extra-time winner at Wembley that secured England’s first major trophy in 2022, she once again delivered under pressure, this time with the final kick of the tournament.
The goal capped off a remarkable personal turnaround. At the beginning of 2025, Kelly had reportedly considered walking away from the game altogether, following a difficult period at Manchester City. A January move to Arsenal revitalised her season, and she ended the campaign not only as a European champion once again but as the player who sealed England’s first major tournament title on foreign soil.
The celebration, however, has now become a talking point, especially in Spain, where headlines focused on what they perceived as provocation rather than praise.
Neither Kelly nor England have responded publicly to the criticism. Within the squad, celebrations continued long after the final whistle, with manager Sarina Wiegman praising her team’s resilience and composure in yet another high-pressure final.
For now, the focus remains on the achievement itself: back-to-back European titles, a second heroic moment for Kelly, and a landmark result in the history of English football.
