JuicyTalk
Captain Leah Williamson has dismissed England’s underdog status in tomorrow’s Euro 2025 final against Spain and insisted the world champions will have to be at their best to prevail.
The Lionesses have not enjoyed a straightforward route to the title game as they look to defend the crown they won in 2022. They appeared to be heading out against both Sweden and Italy before late comebacks secured their place in a rematch of the last World Cup final.
Spain prevailed 1-0 on that occasion in Sydney two years ago and are favourites to secure the continental crown as well.
Williamson bullish before ultimate test
But Arsenal centre-half Williamson who, along with midfield playmaker Lauren James, has been declared fit for the game in Basel, is adamant Sarina Wiegman’s ladies are in confident mood.
She said: “Tomorrow we play the world champions who continue to prove themselves over and over. They’re a fantastic footballing team, the best at what they do. We’re aware of that.
“We think we’re pretty good in some areas too. We need to be at our best to beat Spain. I think they need to be at their best to beat us too. I don’t think there’s a clear underdog in this but we go in against the world champions tomorrow and that’s not an easy job. We’ll prepare as best we can for that challenge.”
History at stake for Lionesses
Williamson and Co will become the first senior England team to win a major trophy – men or women – on foreign soil if they can see off the Spanish.
She added: “The beautiful thing about 2022 was that I’m not sure any of us will ever be a part of something like that again in terms of the change, the story and journey.
“Being away from home is special in a different way. You go out to represent your country somewhere else and the weight of that is important to consider. It sometimes adds a little extra.
“I think it’s a real privileged time to be part of this team. The opportunity to be the first this and that is a big motivator but more because we know what it does for women’s football and continues the legacy that we’ve already started.”
Spain have won their last 10 games, including a 2-1 victory over England in June. However, the Lionesses did inflict their last defeat, Jess Park scoring the only goal at Wembley in February.
“We’ve played each other a lot over the last couple of years because of the Nations League,” said Wiegman. “We will have learned from them in the games we have played. Tomorrow is a different scenario but hopefully we can look at the strengths.”
England will go into the game with extra rest having played their semi-final on Tuesday, 24 hours before Spain, who were also pushed to extra-time by Germany.
