Women’s Euro 2025: Basel Hosts the Big One

England vs Spain

The stage is set, and the participants are most fitting. That is because the champions of Europe and the champions of the world are set to lock horns in Basel on Sunday night to determine who will be crowned winners of Women’s Euro 2025.

Given the background, it’s fair to say that whoever triumphs can justifiably claim to be the number one women’s side on the planet. It’s Spain vs. England, a repeat of the 2023 World Cup Final, and there are several intriguing plotlines.

 

Talking Points

Since that final almost two years ago, much has changed on both sides. Going back to that day, La Roja were the better team. They dominated the midfield area and tactically outsmarted the Lionesses in Sydney, pouncing on their naivety, pushing forward, and being clinical when it mattered. Olga Carmona’s winner was a perfect example of the quality of their execution.

It was the same on Wednesday night when a late strike in extra time from two-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati sealed a 1-0 semi-final victory over Germany. Along with Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro, she is one of three players considered among the best midfielders in women’s football, all capable of unlocking opposing defences. Bonmati nearly missed the tournament due to a bout with viral meningitis just a week before it began, but footballers of her ilk stare these things in the face.

Then there’s Esther Gonzalez, who has stolen the spotlight with her goalscoring exploits and is the frontrunner for the tournament’s Golden Boot with four goals. Under Montse Tomé, La Roja have developed their technical style of play even further and start as favourites.

As for England, I do not think they are quite as effective as they were three years when they won the European Championships, seeing off a very good Spain side en route in the quarter-finals. Given that, I am tipping the world champions to add the European crown to their roll of honour, but it will be close.

England, after all, have a doggedness that only a few sides can possess.

While many of Sarina Wiegman’s stalwarts from her four years at the helm remain – Leah Williamson, Georgia Stanway, and Alessia Russo, for example – new faces have come in and their strength in depth, particularly in creative areas, has continued to increase. Despite some inconsistent form, they have developed a more robust and adaptable style of play and, as seen so far this tournament, they can rely on the versatility of their players to come on and change a game.

Michelle Agyemang’s rise through the ranks epitomises this. The 19-year-old received her first call-up in April but has made her impact off the bench with three goals in four appearances, including the last-gasp equaliser against Italy in Tuesday’s semi-final.

As the Lionesses bid to become the first non-German team to win back-to-back championships since the tournament’s inception four decades ago, Spain are chasing a maiden Euro triumph and becoming only the third nation to hold both the Women’s World Cup and European Championship titles simultaneously.

England will await news on Lauren James’s availability after the Chelsea forward was substituted at halftime of the semi-final with an ankle issue. Beth Mead took her place in that tie and won the penalty that led to England’s decisive goal in extra time, so she may be the direct replacement again on Sunday if James does miss out.

Captain Leah Williamson, meanwhile, started and completed 85 minutes after overcoming an ankle injury sustained in the quarter-finals.

For Spain, suspended defender Laia Aleixandri was their only absentee in midweek, so Maria Mendez was chosen to partner captain Irene Paredes in the backline.

Salma Paralluelo and Athenea del Castillo both made noticeable impacts after being introduced in the second half for Claudia Pina and Gonzalez, respectively, and will be pushing for a place in the starting XI.

 

History

In their two meetings since the World Cup Final, both nations have won one apiece. For England, February’s win at Wembley in the Nations League – secured by a solitary Jessia Park goal – will have filled them with confidence that they can find a gameplan to frustrate and beat Spain. La Roja’s victory in June, when Pina netted a 10-minute second-half double to overturn Alessia Russo’’s opener, proved that they equally have the tools to come out on top.

Overall, England have seven victories, Spain four, and there have been three draws. Their very first Euros meeting was a qualifying contest in Pamplona in December 1993, which ended goalless.

 

Betting Tip

Our SBOTOP Women’s Euro 2025 betting odds back Spain, and so do I.

Realistically, I expect both managers to leave their potential impact subs as just that, and it may be who delivers the final tranche of Women’s Euro 2025 highlights from the bench that decides who are crowned champions.

   

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