The Lionesses became the first England side - men’s or women’s - to win a major tournament on foreign soil, with two penalty saves from Hannah Hampton allowing Chloe Kelly to fire home the decisive spot kick.
England knew they’d have to absorb plenty of pressure against a Spain side who dominate possession, and Hannah Hampton was quick off her line to block Esther Gonzalez inside 10 minute.
But the Lionesses were far from out of the contest when Lauren Hemp stole possession off former City team-mate Laia Aleixandri only to be denied by a excellent Cata Coll stop from a tight angle.
The breakthrough would fall Spain’s way, though, when Mariona Caldentey beat Lucy Bronze to a teasing cross to head in before the break.
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La Roja were in the ascendancy, but England pulled level before the hour when Alessia Russo headed home a Chloe Kelly cross to set up a grandstand finish.
The goal brought the Lionesses to life, with Kelly forcing a fine stop from Cata Coll soon after, while fellow substitute Claudia Pina tested Hampton at the other end at the game approached the 75-minute mark.
Neither side could find the breakthrough in normal time, with Salma Paralluelo going closest when she failed to make a clean contact on a dangerous ball across the face of goal.
It went down to the lottery of a penalty shootout, with Alex Greenwood one of three England players to successfully convert their spot kicks.
And it was the Lionesses who held their nerve, winning 3-1 in the shootout to retain the title they’d won for the first time three years ago.
Relive a memorable final via the gallery below...
