England are building up to their Euro 2025 final against Spain, but the Lionesses still don’t know if they will have Lauren James available to face the world champions in Basel on Sunday.
Sarina Wiegman’s side have the historic opportunity to become the first England team in history to defend a major tournament title, as they go in search of back-to-back European crowns after their Euro 2022 win three years ago.
They will be underdogs against world champions Spain, in what is a rematch of the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney. England will be out for revenge after Spain’s 1-0 win, while Spain are determined to enjoy the moment after their victory was overshadowed by Luis Rubiales.
England required miraculous escapes to defeat Sweden and then Italy in the knockout stages, with Michelle Agyemang’s dramatic equaliser and Chloe Kelly’s penalty rebound firing the Lionesses into a third consecutive final.
There remains some concern over forward James after she was replaced at half time with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old trained on the eve of the final but Wiegman said yesterday that she “does not know” if James will be fit to play Spain.
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Euro 2025 final live: Build-up to England v Spain
- England build up to Euro 2025 final against Spain
- Lionesses aiming for back-to-back Euros titles
- Spain looking to add to World Cup triumph over England
- Lauren James trains on eve of England's Euro 2025 final
- Everything you need to know before Euro 2205 final
- Sarina Wiegman: I have fallen in love with England after ‘craziest’ tournament yet
The secrets behind Sarina Wiegman’s success - and why latest final is not ‘luck’
14:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
They may have already used their nine lives, but England are through to their third consecutive major tournament final at Euro 2025.
Yes, England have been extremely fortunate to make it this far, requiring miraculous escapes to defeat Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages and overcome sub-par performances.
But if the Lionesses have had some luck on their side, there is no denying that reaching another final is an impressive achievement - one that is unprecedented in England’s history.
Spain 'ready for anything' ahead of facing England in Euro 2025 final
13:00
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Jamie Braidwood
Spain are remaining tight-lipped about what they expect from England in Sunday's Euro 2025 final in Basel, but midfielder Alexia Putellas says her side are ready for whatever Sarina Wiegman and her squad come up with.
"England is a team that can come up with many things -- they can be in a low block and move forward, or they can be a team that wants to do both things, (but) we are a team with a lot of resources," Putellas said.
"If they decide to be in the low block and move forward, we have been able to play (in the past) and score goals. We are well-balanced so that they do not move forward ... it's hard to get the ball off us, we are ready for anything."
Aitana Bonmati reveals England’s mistake and the quality to define Euro 2025 final
12:00
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Jamie Braidwood
At Euro 2025, Aitana Bonmati has already demonstrated her ability to be patient, and wait for the gaps to open up. Here, though, the world’s best player is sitting in front of a tactics board, pushing markers across a Subbuteo pitch and explaining how Spain defeated England to win the 2023 World Cup final.
Across sport, and certainly in football, It is rare to come across examples of the best in the world calmly articulating the little moments that separate their genius from the rest. But Bonmati is an exception in many respects and, at 27, the midfielder’s awareness of space and her ability to exploit it is what defines her generational talent.
Lauren James involved in training this morning
11:03
,
Jamie Braidwood
Lauren James was part of a 23-player England squad involved in training this morning in Zurich.
“She’s still recovering,” Wiegman said yesterday. “She’s doing things on the pitch and we have two more days so we’re going to give her time.
“We don’t know yet [if she’ll be ready], but that’s what we’re going to go for – [we want to have] 23 players available for the game on Sunday.”
James took a knock to her ankle during England’s semi-final against Italy on Tuesday and was forced off at half-time.
‘Inevitable’ Michelle Agyemang has left Lionesses with one choice for Euro 2025 final
11:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
At some point, Michelle Agyemang may start playing a game for England when they are not behind. It could even be on Sunday in the Euro 2025 final. But for now, it is hard to think of anyone at this tournament who has a clearer understanding of their exact role and the impact they can make than the 19-year-old striker who began it with just one international appearance for her country, and who has now saved them from the brink twice in two games.
“She feels inevitable right now,” said Leah Williamson.
How England can solve Spain problem to seize Euro 2025 glory
10:00
,
Miguel Delaney
The last few hours before a major final always have that strangely charged serenity. If that sounds like a contradiction, it only fits with the mood. At England's Dolder Grand base, there's also one question left hanging in the rarefied air. Will Sarina Wiegman come up with something different for the Euro 2025 final - the team's third in a row, and her fifth?
The route to Basel's St Jakob-Park has been tumultuous, with the England manager arguably getting her starting approach wrong in at least three games. There is nevertheless another crucial element.
Aitana Bonmati is hoping to add another piece of silverware
09:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
Aitana Bonmati is hoping to add another piece of silverware to her trophy cabinet when Spain play their first Euro final, taking on holders England in Basel.
"It would close the circle a little bit -- this, together with the Olympic Games," Bonmati said. "We want to add the only tournaments that we are missing. For me personally, it would be very nice in the future to have the memory of having won the great tournaments at the highest level in football.
"The game on Sunday is unique, very one-on-one, where things are decided by the smallest margins. Anything can happen, no matter how experienced or knowledgeable you are," Bonmati explained.
"They have it too, they have lived through many finals. It is going to be a very equal match in that respect."
Spain hero Aitana Bonmati reveals secret plan behind stunning winner in Euro 2025 semi-final
08:00
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Jamie Braidwood
Aitana Bonmati revealed Spain had spotted Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger’s tendency to step away from her near post after scoring from the tightest of angles to send the world champions into the Euro 2025 final.
"We had studied Berger and sometimes the first post was left empty,” Bonmati told Spanish TV station RTVE, as world champions Spain progressed to their first-ever European final.
How much do England women’s players get paid? Lionesses’ Euro 2025 prize money explained
07:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
England are once again through to a major international tournament final, this time at Euro 2025, but there remains a significant pay gap when it comes to what the Lionesses players are likely to earn financially this summer.
The secret to Chloe Kelly’s unbreakable confidence
06:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
When the pressure is at its highest, Kelly has been able to rise above it and deliver for England, time and time again - this is how
ITV records biggest audience of the year for England’s Euro 2025 semi-final
05:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
England’s dramatic Euro 2025 semi-final win over Italy was watched by a peak audience of 10.2m, with ITV drawing their biggest audience of the year as Chloe Kelly sent the Lionesses through to the final.
England’s win was watched by an average audience of 8m, with the peak occurring as Kelly scored the winner in the 119th minute, while ITV’s streaming platform ITV X also saw its biggest day of the year with 17.2m streams.
Leah Williamson admits she has been ‘annoyed’ by England’s Euros performances before comebacks
04:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
England captain Leah Williamson admitted that she has been “annoyed” by aspects of the Lionesses’ recent performances at Euro 2025, though added that the team “deserve their flowers” for reaching the final.
England are living a ‘fantasy’ at Euro 2025 – now they must get real
03:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
As the giddy talk in Geneva inevitably turned to endings, and comparisons with movies, match-winner Chloe Kelly described it as a “fantasy”. That might well refer to the improbability of England somehow winning despite performing so badly, even though that’s obviously not what the forward meant.
The contrasting England and Spain paths behind runs to Euro 2025 final
02:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
As England again wonder how Keira Walsh can evade Spain’s intense press in order to decide a major trophy, some in the Football Association are still marvelling at the shift. This is as high a level as you can get, and is now a frequent challenge, when they grew up just hoping to qualify for tournaments.
“I have trouble explaining to my kids sometimes that this isn’t normal,” FA chief executive Mark Bullingham laughs. “When you look at 1967 and through 50 years to 2020, we made one final.”
The Euro 2025 final will mark the third consecutive major final for Sarina Wiegman’s team, and also the fifth in five years across England’s women’s and men’s squads. But there is one country that matches that across both levels of the game, and that is Sunday’s opposition.
Why England and Spain’s unique rivalry goes beyond the Euro 2025 final
01:00
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Jamie Braidwood
At kick-off in the Euro 2025 final, England and Spain will be rivals. But before and after, many will be friends and allies, united by a common cause.
Keira Walsh is determined to win on Sunday, to become a two-time European champion as part of the first-ever England team to defend a title at a major international tournament.
But Walsh also wants Spain to enjoy their moment, to make up for what was lost. Spain will undoubtedly enjoy the occasion more if they beat England to add to their World Cup triumph, but Walsh was aware of the wider meaning.
England’s Keira Walsh wants Spain’s players to ‘enjoy’ Euro 2025 final after World Cup controversy
Saturday 26 July 2025 00:00
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Jamie Braidwood
England midfielder Keira Walsh said it was “disappointing” that Spain’s players did not get more respect after winning the World Cup in 2023 and wants them to enjoy the moment when they face the Lionesses in the Euro 2025 final on Sunday.
Social media companies not doing enough to protect England players from racism, says FA chief
Friday 25 July 2025 23:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
Social media companies are still not doing enough to prevent England players from suffering racist abuse online, according to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.
Lionesses defender Jess Carter revealed before England’s semi-final against Italy that she had received “vile” and "abhorrent" racist abuse during Euro 2025.
Sarina Wiegman: I have fallen in love with England after ‘craziest’ tournament yet
Friday 25 July 2025 21:09
,
Miguel Delaney
The England manager will contest her fifth consecutive final when the Lionesses play Spain on Sunday, and explains why she has worried less and celebrated more at Euro 2025
Who will win the Euro final? Vote ahead of England and Spain showdown
Friday 25 July 2025 21:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
England and Spain meet in Basel on Sunday for a Euro 2025 final full of history, rivalry and unfinished business.
Who will come out on top – the defending champions, or the team that denied them last time?
England’s Ella Toone reveals area where Euro 2025 final could be won or lost
Friday 25 July 2025 20:00
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Jamie Braidwood
Ella Toone believes England’s Euro 2025 final could be won and lost in midfield, ahead of what promises to be a pivotal contest against Spain’s world-class trio of Barcelona stars.
Spain’s midfield features two two-time Ballon d’Or winners in Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, with Patri Guijarro’s performances at the Euros also earning high praise.
Sarina Wiegman ‘not for sale’ as FA determined to fight off offers if England win Euro 2025
Friday 25 July 2025 19:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
The Football Association is determined to fight off any offers for Sarina Wiegman if the Lionesses win Euro 2025, with chief executive Mark Bullingham insisting the England manager is “not for sale” at any price.
Wiegman has now reached five major tournament finals in a row, including the last three with the Lionesses, and has the chance to become the first England manager in history to defend a title when her team take on world champions Spain on Sunday.
Ella Toone jokes that Lionesses ‘nearly killed’ Sarina Wiegman with late Euro 2025 heroics
Friday 25 July 2025 18:04
,
Jamie Braidwood
Midfielder Ella Toone joked England have “nearly killed” Sarina Wiegman en route to booking their boss a trip to an unprecedented fifth straight major tournament final in dramatic style.
The secrets behind Sarina Wiegman’s success - and why latest final is not ‘luck’
Friday 25 July 2025 18:00
,
Jamie Braidwood
They may have already used their nine lives, but England are through to their third consecutive major tournament final at Euro 2025.
Yes, England have been extremely fortunate to make it this far, requiring miraculous escapes to defeat Sweden and Italy in the knockout stages and overcome sub-par performances.
But if the Lionesses have had some luck on their side, there is no denying that reaching another final is an impressive achievement - one that is unprecedented in England’s history.
Sarina Wiegman on Lauren James injury
Friday 25 July 2025 17:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
“She’s still recovering,” Wiegman said. “She’s doing things on the pitch and we have two more days so we’re going to give her time.
“We don’t know yet [if she’ll be ready], but that’s what we’re going to go for – [we want to have] 23 players available for the game on Sunday.”
James recovered from a hamstring injury to be fit for the Euros and has started all five of England’s games at the tournament.
Lauren James injury update revealed ahead of Euro 2025 final
Friday 25 July 2025 17:36
,
Jamie Braidwood
England forward Lauren James is still recovering from her ankle injury and is a doubt to be fit for the Euro 2025 final against Spain on Sunday.
James took a knock during England’s semi-final against Italy on Tuesday and was forced off at half-time, but was seen taking some part in training on Friday afternoon.
Sarina Wiegman is prepared to give James a chance to be fit, but time is running out with just two days to go before England face Spain in Basel.
When is England v Spain? Euro 2025 final kick-off time and TV channel
Friday 25 July 2025 17:35
,
Jamie Braidwood
England will get their shot at back-to-back European titles after clawing their way to the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland - and they will face familiar opponents on Sunday.
Spain are looking to follow their World Cup triumph two years ago, where they beat England 1-0 in Sydney, with a first ever Euros title while the Lionesses will be out for revenge as they defend their title.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Euro 2025 final.
