Women’s football 2025 in review: England’s Euros victory, Spain’s midfield dominance and more

Key Highlights

• Player retirements and withdrawals weeks before the tournament threatened to rock the boat, before an opening 2-1 defeat to France put their backs against the wall.
• Somehow, England found a way in every knockout game, even when they looked down and out. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharlotte HarpurWorst moment Blackburn Rovers’ financial troublesIt was a stark reminder of the fragility of women’s football.
• Blackburn Rovers’ owner, V H Group, decided not to fulfil the required licensing criteria to stay in Women’s Super League 2, English football’s second division. Blackburn, who helped produce England stars Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh, were demoted and now compete in the regional fourth tier. The Athletic reported in June that the proposed redundancies could impact at least 20 members of staff and all senior players were due to be released upon the expiry of their contracts that summer. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharlotte HarpurBest game Women’s Euros quarter-final: France vs GermanyThe excitement before Germany versus France was helped by the fitting location of Basel, which is within walking distance of both countries’ borders.
• But the game seemed to be dead within 12 minutes, when Germany centre-back Kathrin Hendrich was sent off for foolishly pulling Griedge Mbock Bathy’s hair inside the box.
• Grace Geyoro converted from the spot and then it was 1-0, 11 versus 10 — surely no way back for Germany. Yet somehow, they stayed in it.