It was not so long ago that Chloe Kelly was considering taking a break from football and Hannah Hampton had been dropped from the England squad.How things change. Now the pair have been heralded as England's Euro 2025 heroines as the Lionesses beat Spain in a penalty shootout to retain their title.Kelly, subbed on in the 40th minute for Lauren James, provided the inch-perfect cross for Alessia Russo's equaliser.Hampton made a string of crucial saves during the game before denying both Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati in the penalty shootout - allowing Kelly to smash home the winning spot-kick to send England fans into pandemonium."I was adamant I wasn't missing two on the bounce," said Kelly, who had drilled home the rebound after her penalty was saved in their semi-final win over Italy."I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net. I don't miss penalties twice."England boss Sarina Wiegman said it was "a bit like a fairytale" for Hampton to make two shootout saves in the final.The 24-year-old was the focus of attention from the first minute in Switzerland, stepping up as England's first-choice keeper following Mary Earps' retirement five weeks earlier."Hannah Hampton has been put in the spotlight. Has she stood up, has she stood tall? The biggest of big," said former England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis on BBC One."To win your team back-to-back European Championships - be proud Hannah Hampton."
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