New Delhi, July 28 -- The remarkable journey of England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton from eye surgeries to being the star of two penalty shootouts for a European title-winning team was described as "a fairy tale" on Sunday.

Player of the match Hampton saved a penalty shootout spot kick by Spain's two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati in a dramatic final.

Before that, she saved the penalty by Mariona Caldentey, whose 25th-minute header did beat Hampton and had left defending champion England playing catchup yet again at Euro 2025.

But this England, like its 24-year-old goalkeeper with the sub-optimal eyesight, thrives on adversity - especially on a thrilling ride through three knockout rounds where the team led for just five minutes i...