Spanish media have hit out at Chloe Kelly for her ‘unnecessary’ and ‘cocky’ celebration in front of La Roja stopper Cata Coll after scoring the winning penalty for England.
It came immediately after the Arsenal winger had confidently stepped up and dispatched the decisive spot-kick, which secured victory for the Lionesses in the final of the women’s European Championship on Sunday night.
Kelly, who scored the winner in England’s 2022 Euros final win over Germany, ‘unnecessarily’ diverted her path after smashing the ball past Coll before making a gesture in front of the keeper, according to Spanish outlet Dario AS.
In the comment that accompanied a short clip of the climatic moment, published on their website, Kelly’s decision to make a b-line for the England supporters in the corner was deemed ‘cocky’ and uncalled-for.
‘This is unnecessary, my friend: Kelly’s cocky gesture to Cata Coll after scoring the decisive penalty,’ they wrote.
‘The England specialist changed her run during her penalty celebration to get past the goalkeeper she had just beaten.’
The Arsenal star smashed the ball into the top corner past Spain’s Cata Coll to win the Euros
The Arsenal star has been criticised for her celebrations after scoring the winning penalty for England against Spain
The Lionesses successfully defended the historic crown their won at Wembley three years ago
Kelly’s introduction part-way through the first half changed the momentum of a game that Spain dominated and looked set to win. The 27-year-old, who – like her Gunners team-mates – adds Euros glory to Champions League success, assisted Alessia Russo’s 57th-minute equaliser after Mariona Caldentey’s 25th-minute opener.
The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of action, leading to the dreaded penalty shootout.
England were thankful for the contributions of goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, who produced two saves and saw another go wide of the post in the 3-1 shoot-out win.
In Dario AS’ full match report they insisted that England, who were defeated by Spain in the final of the women’s World Cup two years ago, ‘robbed’ their Iberian opponents.
‘The dream ends in a nightmare,’ they added. ‘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.’
Victory completes an incredible hat-trick of triumphs in the competition for head coach Sarina Wiegman after wins in 2022 with England and 2017 with her native Netherlands.
