Chloe Kelly slammed by Spanish press for 'cocky' and 'unnecessary' gesture after scoring winning England penalty in Euro 2025 final
England star Chloe Kelly has been slammed by the Spanish press for her behaviour after scoring the winning penalty in the Euro 2025 final.
After a gruelling and competitive match with goals from Spain's Mariona Caldentey and Arsenal star Alessia Russo, England and Spain went to a penalty shootout in the final of the 2025 UEFA Women's Championship.
Following their narrow 3-2 shootout win over Sweden in the quarter-finals, nerves were high for the Lionesses as they stepped up for perhaps the most important moment in their careers.
However, spectacular goals from Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles and tournament hero Kelly matched by stunning saves from new England no.1 keeper Hannah Hampton secured another 3-2 shootout win.
Advert
While much of the response to the huge win has been positive, Kelly has found herself receiving major backlash for her behaviour after scoring the winning penalty for England.
Just like she did for her penalty against Sweden, Kelly calmly skipped towards the ball before slotting it into the back of the net and running off to celebrate.
After scoring the tournament winning goal, the Arsenal forward ran past the net and kept eye contact with Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll before celebrating with England fans and her teammates at the corner flag.
And it is her decision to seemingly tease Coll after beating her that has angered Spanish outlet Diario AS.
Posting a clip of the goal on their website, newspaper wrote: "This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly's cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty.
"The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten."
Meanwhile in their full match report, the publication accused England of 'robbing' Spain of the chance to make history.
It claimed: "The dream ends in a nightmare. Spain lost the European Championship on penalties. England tied a match that Spain largely dominated. History is made by victories, and also by defeats.
"Spain fell in the Euro Cup final but left its name sealed in gold. England robbed them of their dream; the world champions couldn't close the circle they began to write two years ago in Sydney .
"They couldn't have been crueler, in the penalty shootout, tossing a few dice in the air."
Although they didn't specifically criticise Kelly's celebration, fellow Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo also couldn't hold back their feelings about their side losing.
They wrote: "It was a cruel ending for a Spain that dominated but is saying goodbye to its European dream."
Topics: Football, England, Womens Football
Ben McCrum